All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort
- Chinese
- 千里光
- Pinyin
- Qian Li Guang
- Latin
- Herba Senecionis Scandentis
Known in TCM as Qian Li Guang (千里光), this bitter, cold herb enters the Liver and Lung. Traditionally, it clears heat and relieves toxicity, most often applied for conjunctivitis and sinusitis. Modern research has identified Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (senecionine, seneciphylline, senkirkine) among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Senecionis Scandentis | Pinyin: Qian Li Guang | Chinese: 千里光
TCM Properties
- Taste
- bitter
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Liver, Lung
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears heat and relieves toxicity … traditionally used for conjunctivitis, sinusitis, dermatitis, skin infections, and toxic swellings
- Cools the blood and reduces swelling … used for eczema, furuncles, and inflammatory skin conditions from blood heat
Secondary Actions
- Clears Lung heat … used for cough and sore throat from heat toxicity
- Anti-infective against bacterial dysentery and intestinal inflammation
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (senecionine, seneciphylline, senkirkine) … HEPATOTOXIC AND TUMORIGENIC in animal studies; known liver carcinogens
- Senecionine N-oxide and seneciphylline N-oxide … PA N-oxides converted to tumorigenic forms via metabolic reduction
- Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin) … antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Caffeic acid derivatives … phenolic antioxidants
Studied Effects
- HEPATOTOXICITY … aqueous extract contains nine toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids at estimated total 10.82 μg/g, significantly exceeding the ≥1 μg/g safety threshold recommended by Belgium and Germany; challenges clinical use (PMID 18220326)
- Carcinogenicity risk … senecionine, seneciphylline, and senkirkine are known tumor inducers in experimental animals; their presence in S. scandens raises cancer risk concerns (PMID 18220326)
- Safety dilemma … no significant hepatotoxic effects at standard human-equivalent doses in 14-day rat studies; but single 8-fold overdose produced classic PA-induced hepatotoxicity (PMID 19296428)
- PA quantification … HPLC-MS methods established for quality control of Senecio scandens preparations from raw herb to finished product (PMID 32662582)
PubMed References
- Identification of five hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Herba Senecionis scandentis (Qianliguang) (2008)
- Qianliguang (Senecio scandens) safety dilemma: dose is the key? (2009)
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Senecio scandens and its preparations by HPLC-MS/MS (2020)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Pregnancy … pyrrolizidine alkaloids are teratogenic and hepatotoxic; absolute contraindication
- Hepatic disease … existing liver dysfunction dramatically increases PA toxicity risk
- Long-term use … cumulative PA exposure leads to progressive veno-occlusive liver disease
- Children … developing liver cannot adequately detoxify pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Cautions
- PYRROLIZIDINE ALKALOID BURDEN: total toxic PA content ~10.82 μg/g herb, significantly above EU safety threshold of ≥1 μg/g (Belgium, Germany) … use only under strict practitioner supervision with dose and duration limits (PMID 18220326)
- Known liver carcinogens present: senecionine, seneciphylline, and senkirkine are tumorigenic in animal studies
- Exported TCM proprietary products (e.g., for sinusitis) containing Qianliguang have been flagged internationally for PA content
- MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
- Conjunctivitis Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Sinusitis Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort used for?
All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort is traditionally used to Clears heat and relieves toxicity … traditionally used for conjunctivitis, sinusitis, dermatitis, skin infections, and toxic swellings, Cools the blood and reduces swelling … used for eczema, furuncles, and inflammatory skin conditions from blood heat. Research has investigated its effects on: HEPATOTOXICITY … aqueous extract contains nine toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids at estimated total 10.82 μg/g, significantly exceeding the ≥1 μg/g safety threshold recommended by Belgium and Germany; challenges clinical use (PMID 18220326); Carcinogenicity risk … senecionine, seneciphylline, and senkirkine are known tumor inducers in experimental animals; their presence in S. scandens raises cancer risk concerns (PMID 18220326).
What are other names for All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort?
All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort is also known as Senecionis. In TCM: 千里光 (Qian Li Guang); Herba Senecionis Scandentis.
Is All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort safe during pregnancy?
All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort is not recommended during pregnancy.
What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort?
All-Grass of Climbing Groungsel; All-Grass of Ragwort should not be used in: Pregnancy … pyrrolizidine alkaloids are teratogenic and hepatotoxic; absolute contraindication; Hepatic disease … existing liver dysfunction dramatically increases PA toxicity risk; Long-term use … cumulative PA exposure leads to progressive veno-occlusive liver disease; Children … developing liver cannot adequately detoxify pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.