Single Herb Glossary
Jin Qian Cao 金錢草
| Pharmaceutical name | Lysimachiae Herba Lysimachia christinae herb “gold money herb” |
| Category | Drain Damp |
| Key Properties | Promotes urination Expels stones Clears damp-heat jaundice |
| Properties | Sweet Salty Slightly Cold |
| Tropism | UB, GB, KD, LV |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Promotes Urination, Unblocks Painful Urinary Dribbling, Expels Urinary Tract Stones 2) Clears Damp-Heat in LV & GB, Expels Gallstones 3) Resolves Toxicity & Swelling |
| Dosages | 15-30g; max dosage is 60g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Caution with diarrhea due to Sp Def |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Quercetin, quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-galactoside |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Cholagogic: associated with marked increase in production and excretion of bile acid in rats; marked effectiveness in treating dogs for severe pain from jaundice and gallstones; preventative influence on formation of new gallstones in rabbits • Urinary stones: decoction effective in preventing and treating urinary stones, with better action against kidney stones than bladder stones; different species of this herb markedly increase excretion of bladder and kidney stones; Jiang Su Jin Qian Cao (Herba Glechoma Hederacea) has marked diuretic action in rabbits; and Guang Jin Qian Cao (Herba Desmodii Styracifolii) and Si Chuan Xiao Jin Qian Cao (Herba Dichondra Repens) increase excretion of urine and sodium in rats • Cardiovascular: intravenous injection of water-extracted Guang Jin Qian Cao (Herba Desmodii Styracifolii) in anesthetized dogs increased blood perfusion to heart and kidneys by 197.4% • Antibiotic: both water and alcohol extracts of Jiang Su Jin Qian Cao (Herba Glechoma Hederacea) inhibit growth of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and E. coli; alcohol extract of Guang Jin Qian Cao (Herba Desmodii Styracifolii), but not the water extract, has inhibitory effect against Candida albicans |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Diuretics: prudent to avoid combination of herbs and drugs that exert diuretic effects, as there may be additive or synergistic effects; combination therapy may lead to excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.