Natural Herb Library

All-Grass Chinese Pyrola

Chinese
鹿含草
Pinyin
Lu Han Cao
Latin
Herba Pyrolae
Botanical illustration of All-Grass Chinese Pyrola, Pyrola calliantha, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Lu Han Cao (鹿含草), this sweet and bitter, warm herb enters the Liver and Kidney. Traditionally, it dispels wind-dampness and strengthens tendons and bones, most often applied for rheumatoid arthritis, kidney yang deficiency, and abnormal uterine bleeding. Modern research has identified Chimaphilin among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Pyrola

Latin: Herba Pyrolae | Pinyin: Lu Han Cao | Chinese: 鹿含草

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet, bitter
Temperature
warm
Channels
Liver, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Dispels wind-dampness and strengthens tendons and bones … used for rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, lower back and knee weakness, soreness, and bi-syndrome from wind-cold-dampness
  • Tonifies the Kidney and helps Kidney grasp Lung Qi … used for chronic asthma, wheezing, and respiratory weakness from Kidney failing to grasp Qi
  • Stops bleeding … used for abnormal uterine bleeding, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, and traumatic hemorrhage
  • Nourishes the Heart and stops excessive perspiration … used for palpitations, anxiety, and spontaneous or night sweating from Heart deficiency

Secondary Actions

  • Promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation … used for menstrual irregularity with blood stasis
  • Addresses lumbar spondylosis, cervical spondylosis, bone hyperplasia, and sciatica as modern clinical extensions of its wind-damp and bone-strengthening actions

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Chimaphilin … primary naphthoquinone; anticancer against osteosarcoma and breast cancer cell lines; anti-inflammatory
  • Arbutin … phenolic glycoside; urinary antiseptic, antioxidant, and skin-protective activity
  • Hyperin (hyperforin) and quercetin … flavonols with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects
  • Catechin and epicatechin … flavan-3-ols contributing to antioxidant capacity
  • Pyrolones A and B … novel tetralones with unique bioactive properties
  • 2''-O-galloylhyperin … astringent flavonol glycoside with antioxidant activity

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic … widely used clinically for rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, bone hyperplasia, and sciatica; anti-inflammatory mechanisms confirmed in pharmacological studies (PMID 35932974)
  • Antioxidant … P. calliantha shows highest phytochemical content and antioxidant activity among Pyrola species; arbutin and hyperin drive free-radical scavenging (PMID 24796694)
  • Anticancer … chimaphilin induces apoptosis in multidrug-resistant osteosarcoma cell lines via IGF-IR signaling inhibition (PMID 35932974)
  • Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective … preclinical evidence for reducing lipids and protecting against ischemic injury
  • Antiviral and antibacterial … extracts show broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy … contraceptive properties documented; may cause uterine and ovarian atrophy with prolonged use (American Dragon); avoid throughout pregnancy
  • Yin deficiency heat patterns … warm nature is contraindicated in heat-excess conditions without cold-damp component

Cautions

  • Prolonged use may affect reproductive hormone function … use under practitioner supervision for extended courses
  • MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is All-Grass Chinese Pyrola used for?

All-Grass Chinese Pyrola is traditionally used to Dispels wind-dampness and strengthens tendons and bones … used for rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, lower back and knee weakness, soreness, and bi-syndrome from wind-cold-dampness, Tonifies the Kidney and helps Kidney grasp Lung Qi … used for chronic asthma, wheezing, and respiratory weakness from Kidney failing to grasp Qi, Stops bleeding … used for abnormal uterine bleeding, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, and traumatic hemorrhage, Nourishes the Heart and stops excessive perspiration … used for palpitations, anxiety, and spontaneous or night sweating from Heart deficiency. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic … widely used clinically for rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, bone hyperplasia, and sciatica; anti-inflammatory mechanisms confirmed in pharmacological studies (PMID 35932974); Antioxidant … P. calliantha shows highest phytochemical content and antioxidant activity among Pyrola species; arbutin and hyperin drive free-radical scavenging (PMID 24796694).

What are other names for All-Grass Chinese Pyrola?

All-Grass Chinese Pyrola is also known as Pyrola. In TCM: 鹿含草 (Lu Han Cao); Herba Pyrolae.

Is All-Grass Chinese Pyrola safe during pregnancy?

All-Grass Chinese Pyrola is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for All-Grass Chinese Pyrola?

All-Grass Chinese Pyrola should not be used in: Pregnancy … contraceptive properties documented; may cause uterine and ovarian atrophy with prolonged use (American Dragon); avoid throughout pregnancy; Yin deficiency heat patterns … warm nature is contraindicated in heat-excess conditions without cold-damp component. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.