Golden Sash is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the thallus of the lichen Lethariella zahlbruckneri (DuRietz) Krog [Usnea zahlbruckneri DuRietz], belonging to the family Usneaceae.It is distributed in Shaanxi and Sichuan. It has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, and stopping bleeding and relieving pain. It is commonly used for lower back and leg pain caused by overexertion, irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, bleeding from wounds, and dizziness.
Golden Sash
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Golden Sash is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the thallus of the lichen Lethariella zahlbruckneri (DuRietz) Krog [Usnea zahlbruckneri DuRietz], belonging to the family Usneaceae.It is distributed in Shaanxi and Sichuan. It has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, and stopping bleeding and relieving pain. It is commonly used for lower back and leg pain caused by overexertion, irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, bleeding from wounds, and dizziness.
Chinese Name : 金腰带
Aliases : Golden Ribbon
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet and bitter in taste; neutral in nature. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Liver meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Dispels wind and dampness, promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation, stops bleeding, and relieves pain.
Indications
Used for lower back and leg pain due to overexertion, irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, bleeding from wounds, and dizziness.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decocted as a soup, 6–12 g; or steeped in wine. External use: Apply an appropriate amount as a powdered poultice.
Precautions
Not suitable for pregnant women.
Relevant Discussions
*Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine*: “Sweet, bitter, neutral.”
*Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine*: “Dispels wind and dampness; stops bleeding and relieves pain; regulates menstruation and promotes blood circulation; calms the mind and soothes the spirit; strengthens the spleen and stomach. Primarily used for lower back and leg pain caused by overwork, bleeding from external injuries, irregular menstruation, uterine prolapse, leukorrhea, mental disorders, epilepsy, hemiplegia, impotence, and dizziness.”
*Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines*: “Dispels wind and unblocks the meridians; tonifies the kidneys and enhances yang.”
Applications
Related Compatibility
1. For leukorrhea: 15 g of Golden Ribbon, 500 g of tofu, and 200 g of white sugar. Simmer until hot and consume. (《Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine》)
2. For traumatic bleeding: Equal parts of Golden Ribbon, Tianpeng Grass, and Stone Frost. Grind into a fine powder and apply to the wound. (*Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine*)
3. For cerebral anemia and dizziness: 9g each of Golden Ribbon, Shou’er Shen, and Gaoben; 6g of Stone Acorus; and 12g of Lu Xian Cao. Decoct in water and drink. (*Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine*)
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest throughout the year, remove impurities, and sun-dry.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
The lichen thallus is filamentous, soft, and twisted cylindrical or flattened cylindrical in shape; the base is soiled grayish-white, gradually becoming ochre or light yellowish-brown toward the apex. The main branch is approximately 2 mm long; secondary branches are irregularly dichotomous, with unilateral unifurcated branches or, occasionally, trifurcated branches. The cortex is slightly fissured and lacks powdery buds. The midrib is translucent brown.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
*Golden Ribbon* (a member of the Lecanoraceae family).
Morphological Characteristics
Golden Ribbon: This species resembles those of the genus Peltigera, but the surface of its fruiting body lacks ciliate spines, and the thallus surface lacks papillate projections. The thallus is branched, relatively soft, pendulous, and 10–20 cm long or longer.The surface is golden yellow to orange-red. Branching is nearly dichotomous; the main branches and lateral branches are curved and coiled, with the lateral branches distinctly flattened, narrow, ribbon-like, and dull. The surface of the main branches bears ridges arranged longitudinally. There are no powdery or fissured buds.
Distribution Area
Shaanxi, Sichuan.
Copyright: Excerpt from Internet, Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 2, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 2, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 2, 2026
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