To study the Herbalism study of the Sow thistle

verify its name and origin

and clarify the confusion of literature records

in order to further utilize its resources. Refer to the literature and its application history combining with the fieldwork. The main source of the Sow thistle are the plants of Sonchus oleraceus L. Ixeris denticulata (Houtt.) Stebb. And I. chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai. etc. coming from Compositae. Sow thistle medicinal varieties of confusion. It’s name

origin and characteristics described diversity in the materia medica and modern literature

and the presence of homonyms phenomenon

so we should reform from the bottom

and provide scientific basis for its development and utilization.