All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat
- Chinese
- 浮萍
- Pinyin
- Fu Ping
- Latin
- Herba Spirodelae
Known in TCM as Fu Ping (浮萍), this acrid, cold herb enters the Lung and Urinary Bladder. Traditionally, it releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Heat, most often applied for urticaria, upper respiratory infection, and edema. Modern research has identified Luteolin and apigenin among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Spirodelae | Pinyin: Fu Ping | Chinese: 浮萍
TCM Properties
- Taste
- acrid
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Lung, Urinary Bladder
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Heat … used for Wind-Heat exterior patterns with fever, headache, and absence of sweating
- Vents rashes and relieves itching … used for measles (before rash has fully expressed), urticaria, and wind-heat skin eruptions
Secondary Actions
- Promotes urination and reduces edema … used for superficial edema and oliguria from water retention with exterior heat
- Dispels Wind and relieves itching … used topically for pruritus and eczema from wind-heat in the skin
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Luteolin and apigenin … primary flavones; potent anti-inflammatory via NF-κB inhibition; luteolin and apigenin show strong binding affinity for TNF and IL-6 targets
- Orientin and vitexin … flavone C-glycosides; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- β-Carotene and lutein … carotenoids; antioxidant
- β-Sitosterol … phytosterol with anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties
- Potassium acetate and potassium chloride … mineral salts contributing to diuretic effect
- Choline and betaine … nitrogen-containing compounds with membrane and metabolic roles
Studied Effects
- Anti-inflammatory (in vitro) … ethanolic extract inhibits LPS-induced NO, PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW264.7 macrophages; suppresses iNOS and COX-2 via NF-κB p65 attenuation; flavonoid content 0.25–8.77 mg/g (PMID 22303922)
- Anti-inflammatory contact dermatitis (in vivo) … extract ameliorates DNFB-induced skin lesions and histopathological abnormalities in mice; inhibits inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, validating traditional use for skin heat conditions (PMID 37686078)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating … acrid diaphoretic nature worsens spontaneous perspiration from Qi deficiency
- Blood deficiency without exterior pathogen … drains superficial Wei Qi and Ying-Qi; avoid in interior vacuity without exterior condition
Cautions
- Short-term use recommended … diaphoretic herbs deplete superficial Wei Qi with prolonged use; limit to acute exterior conditions
- 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 Common Ducksmeat used for?
All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat is traditionally used to Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Heat … used for Wind-Heat exterior patterns with fever, headache, and absence of sweating, Vents rashes and relieves itching … used for measles (before rash has fully expressed), urticaria, and wind-heat skin eruptions. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory (in vitro) … ethanolic extract inhibits LPS-induced NO, PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW264.7 macrophages; suppresses iNOS and COX-2 via NF-κB p65 attenuation; flavonoid content 0.25–8.77 mg/g (PMID 22303922); Anti-inflammatory contact dermatitis (in vivo) … extract ameliorates DNFB-induced skin lesions and histopathological abnormalities in mice; inhibits inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, validating traditional use for skin heat conditions (PMID 37686078).
What are other names for All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat?
All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat is also known as Spirodela. In TCM: 浮萍 (Fu Ping); Herba Spirodelae.
Is All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat safe during pregnancy?
The safety of All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat?
All-Grass of Common Ducksmeat should not be used in: Exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating … acrid diaphoretic nature worsens spontaneous perspiration from Qi deficiency; Blood deficiency without exterior pathogen … drains superficial Wei Qi and Ying-Qi; avoid in interior vacuity without exterior condition. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.