All-Grass of Chinese Brake
- Chinese
- 凤尾草
- Pinyin
- Feng Wei Cao
- Latin
- Herba Pteridis Multifidae
Known in TCM as Feng Wei Cao (凤尾草), this bitter and sweet, cold herb enters the Large Intestine, Bladder, Lung, Liver, and Gallbladder. Traditionally, it clears heat and drains dampness, most often applied for dysentery, hepatitis, and tonsillitis. Modern research has identified Pterosins among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Pteridis Multifidae | Pinyin: Feng Wei Cao | Chinese: 凤尾草
TCM Properties
- Taste
- bitter, sweet
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Large Intestine, Bladder, Lung, Liver, Gallbladder
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears heat and drains dampness … used for cholecystitis, hepatitis, bacterial dysentery, enteritis, and damp-heat patterns in the Lower Jiao
- Cools the blood and stops bleeding … used for hematemesis, haematuria, and hemorrhagic conditions from blood heat
- Relieves toxicity and reduces swelling … used for tonsillitis, parotitis, and toxic boils from heat toxicity
Secondary Actions
- Clears heat to address gonorrhea and urinary tract infections from damp-heat in the Bladder
- Antibacterial action against dysentery bacilli … used for diarrhea caused by E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Pterosins … sesquiterpenoids unique to Pteridaceae; antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti-tuberculosis activity; (2R)-pterosin P and dehydropterosin B identified from this species
- Diterpenoids … cytotoxic terpenoids identified from aerial parts
- Flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside) … antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Coumarins … antibacterial secondary metabolites
- Lignans … anti-inflammatory and antioxidant constituents
Studied Effects
- Antibacterial … ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts show significant inhibitory activity against dysentery-causing E. coli; effective in traditional dysentery treatment (PMID 18553125)
- Cytotoxic … diterpenoid and sesquiterpenoid fractions demonstrate cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines in vitro (PMID 18181575)
- Pterosin pharmacology … pterosins from genus Pteris show antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes and anti-tuberculosis activities; (2R)-pterosin P newly isolated from this species (PMID 20486077)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Pregnancy … cold, blood-cooling herb; traditional contraindication throughout pregnancy
- Cold constitutions and Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold … extremely cold nature aggravates Yang deficiency patterns
- Recurring dysentery in elderly … avoid prolonged use in frail patients
Cautions
- Avoid long-term use … cold draining nature may deplete Yang and Middle Jiao warmth with extended administration
- 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 Chinese Brake used for?
All-Grass of Chinese Brake is traditionally used to Clears heat and drains dampness … used for cholecystitis, hepatitis, bacterial dysentery, enteritis, and damp-heat patterns in the Lower Jiao, Cools the blood and stops bleeding … used for hematemesis, haematuria, and hemorrhagic conditions from blood heat, Relieves toxicity and reduces swelling … used for tonsillitis, parotitis, and toxic boils from heat toxicity. Research has investigated its effects on: Antibacterial … ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts show significant inhibitory activity against dysentery-causing E. coli; effective in traditional dysentery treatment (PMID 18553125); Cytotoxic … diterpenoid and sesquiterpenoid fractions demonstrate cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines in vitro (PMID 18181575).
What are other names for All-Grass of Chinese Brake?
All-Grass of Chinese Brake is also known as Pteridis. In TCM: 凤尾草 (Feng Wei Cao); Herba Pteridis Multifidae.
Is All-Grass of Chinese Brake safe during pregnancy?
All-Grass of Chinese Brake is not recommended during pregnancy.
What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Chinese Brake?
All-Grass of Chinese Brake should not be used in: Pregnancy … cold, blood-cooling herb; traditional contraindication throughout pregnancy; Cold constitutions and Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold … extremely cold nature aggravates Yang deficiency patterns; Recurring dysentery in elderly … avoid prolonged use in frail patients. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.