Characteristics, Medicinal Value and Safety Precautions of Daylily Roots

Daylily root is the dried fleshy root of the daylily (Hemerocallis), a traditional Chinese medicinal material, also commonly known among the people as daylily root. Daylilies have a long history of cultivation in China; they are not only a common ornamental flower, but their roots also have a rather long record of use in traditional Chinese medicine. The roots are generally dug after the aboveground parts wither in autumn and winter, washed clean of mud and sand, and dried in the sun for later use. In appearance, daylily roots are mostly long cylindrical, sometimes slightly swollen at the end, and often clustered in groups on a shortened rhizome. The surface is mostly grayish yellow or pale grayish brown, with longitudinal wrinkles; the texture is light and brittle, and the cut surface is somewhat horn-like. Roots from different producing areas and varieties differ somewhat in thickness and length. In terms of value, traditional Chinese medicine holds that daylily root is cool in nature and is traditionally used in formulas for clearing heat and promoting urination, and for cooling the blood and stopping bleeding. It must be especially noted that fresh daylily roots contain toxic components such as hemerocallin; excessive consumption may damage the nervous system and eyesight, and livestock that eat large amounts by mistake will also be poisoned. Therefore, before use as medicine it must undergo proper processing, and it must be used strictly under a doctor's advice; never dig it up and take it on your own. In cultivation, the condition of the roots directly affects the growth of the daylily. Ornamental varieties such as the large-flowered daylily and the 'Golden Doll' daylily are commonly propagated by division, usually in spring and autumn by separating the rhizome with roots and transplanting it; keeping the soil loose and well drained gives a higher survival rate. In routine care, avoid waterlogging, otherwise the roots rot easily. The main common problem is accidental ingestion. What is eaten as daylily is the flower bud, while the daylily root is toxic; the two must not be confused, and fresh roots must never be cooked as food. After touching the roots when transplanting or harvesting, wash your hands promptly to avoid accidentally putting them in your mouth.