Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory

Chinese
五爪龙
Pinyin
Wu Zhao Long
Latin
Herba Ipomoeae Cairicae
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory, Ipomoea cairica, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Wu Zhao Long (五爪龙), this bitter, cool herb enters the Liver and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it clears heat and relieves toxicity, most often applied for hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Modern research has identified Scopoletin among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Ipomoea

Latin: Herba Ipomoeae Cairicae | Pinyin: Wu Zhao Long | Chinese: 五爪龙

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cool
Channels
Liver, Large Intestine

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and relieves toxicity … used for fever, liver disorders with jaundice, bronchitis, and inflammatory conditions with heat signs
  • Dispels wind-dampness and relieves rheumatic pain … used for joint pain, swelling, and inflammatory arthritis

Secondary Actions

  • Expels parasites … seeds used for anthelmintic action against intestinal worms
  • Promotes diuresis and reduces edema … used for oliguria and fluid accumulation
  • Stops pain … analgesic properties used for headache and inflammatory pain

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Scopoletin … coumarin with anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and spasmolytic activity
  • Umbelliferone … coumarin antioxidant with antibacterial properties
  • Arctigenin … lignan with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activity
  • Matairesinol and trachelogenin … lignans with antioxidant and anti-estrogenic activity
  • Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) … antioxidant and anti-inflammatory secondary metabolites
  • Alkaloids … natural constituents with larvicidal activity against mosquito vectors

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory … methanol extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity in multiple experimental models
  • Antimicrobial … extracts active against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Candida species
  • Antiproliferative … aqueous and ethanolic extracts show cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines in vitro
  • Larvicidal … alkaloid-rich fractions effective against Aedes and Culex mosquito larvae

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold-type conditions without heat signs … cool bitter nature contraindicated in deficiency-cold patterns

Cautions

  • Sparsely documented in TCM pharmacopoeia literature … primarily used in folk medicine in southern China; formal clinical safety data is limited
  • Seeds contain ergoline alkaloids common to Convolvulaceae family … seed preparations require caution; standard herbal (whole plant) use is generally considered safe
  • MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory used for?

All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory is traditionally used to Clears heat and relieves toxicity … used for fever, liver disorders with jaundice, bronchitis, and inflammatory conditions with heat signs, Dispels wind-dampness and relieves rheumatic pain … used for joint pain, swelling, and inflammatory arthritis. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory … methanol extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity in multiple experimental models; Antimicrobial … extracts active against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Candida species.

What are other names for All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory?

All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory is also known as Ipomoea. In TCM: 五爪龙 (Wu Zhao Long); Herba Ipomoeae Cairicae.

Is All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory safe during pregnancy?

The safety of All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory?

All-Grass of Cairo Morningglory should not be used in: Cold-type conditions without heat signs … cool bitter nature contraindicated in deficiency-cold patterns. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.