[Textual and herbal studies of Chinese drug xiebai]

After some herbalogical studies and on-the-spot investigation, the authors have found out that the Chinese drug xiebai, which was used in ancient times, is not Allium macrostemon but A. chinense (Liliaceae). It was after the Qing Dynasty that A. macrostemon came into use as xiebai. The authors thus suggest that both A. chinense and A. macrostemon be taken as the original herb of xiebai.