All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass
- Chinese
- 萹蓄
- Pinyin
- Bian Xu
- Latin
- Herba Polygoni Avicularis
Known in TCM as Bian Xu (萹蓄), this bitter, slightly cold herb enters the Urinary Bladder. Traditionally, it clears heat and promotes urination, most often applied for urinary tract infection and nephrolithiasis. Modern research has identified Avicularin (quercetin-3-O-arabinoside) among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Polygoni Avicularis | Pinyin: Bian Xu | Chinese: 萹蓄
TCM Properties
- Taste
- bitter
- Temperature
- slightly cold
- Channels
- Urinary Bladder
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears heat and promotes urination … used for urinary tract infections, dysuria, urinary stones, and damp-heat stranguria (Lin syndrome) from heat accumulation in the Urinary Bladder
- Kills intestinal parasites … used for roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, and intestinal parasitic infestations
Secondary Actions
- Clears damp-heat from skin … used topically for vulvar itching and moist eczema from damp-heat in the skin
- Clears damp-heat jaundice … used for jaundice with damp-heat accumulation in the Liver-Gallbladder
Classic Formulas
- Ba Zheng San (八正散) … with Qu Mai, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi, Hua Shi, Da Huang, Shan Zhi Zi, Gan Cao Shao, and Deng Xin Cao; for damp-heat stranguria with urinary difficulty, pain, and hematuria
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Avicularin (quercetin-3-O-arabinoside) … primary flavonoid glycoside; anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antibacterial
- Myricitrin and juglanin … flavonoid glycosides with antioxidant properties
- Quercetin and kaempferol … flavonols; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant secondary metabolites
- Caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid … phenolic acids with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity
- Hyperoside (quercetin-3-O-galactoside) … flavonol glycoside; anti-inflammatory
- Oxalic acid … dicarboxylic acid contributing to astringent action; caution in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis
Studied Effects
- Pharmacopoeial quality assessment … UHPLC-CAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS methods validated for quantification of flavonoid glucuronides as primary quality markers; total flavonoid content 0.70–2.20% across European plant material samples (PMID 26047342)
- Anti-lipase activity … flavonol-3-O-glycosides (avicularin, myricitrin, juglanin) inhibit porcine pancreatic lipase in physiologically relevant IC50 range; suggests applications for metabolic and anti-obesity activity (PMID 31792306)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Pregnancy … bitter-cold herb with diuretic and potential uterine-stimulant action; traditional contraindication throughout pregnancy
- Spleen-Kidney deficiency without damp-heat … cold draining nature depletes Kidney and Middle Jiao Yang with prolonged use
Cautions
- Oxalic acid content … avoid prolonged high-dose use in patients with history of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis; may promote further stone formation
- Diuretic effect may reduce renal clearance time for lithium and other renally excreted drugs … use with caution in patients on these medications
- MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
- Urinary Tract Infection Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Nephrolithiasis Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass used for?
All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass is traditionally used to Clears heat and promotes urination … used for urinary tract infections, dysuria, urinary stones, and damp-heat stranguria (Lin syndrome) from heat accumulation in the Urinary Bladder, Kills intestinal parasites … used for roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, and intestinal parasitic infestations. Research has investigated its effects on: Pharmacopoeial quality assessment … UHPLC-CAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS methods validated for quantification of flavonoid glucuronides as primary quality markers; total flavonoid content 0.70–2.20% across European plant material samples (PMID 26047342); Anti-lipase activity … flavonol-3-O-glycosides (avicularin, myricitrin, juglanin) inhibit porcine pancreatic lipase in physiologically relevant IC50 range; suggests applications for metabolic and anti-obesity activity (PMID 31792306).
What are other names for All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass?
All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass is also known as Polygoni. In TCM: 萹蓄 (Bian Xu); Herba Polygoni Avicularis.
Is All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass safe during pregnancy?
All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass is not recommended during pregnancy.
What are the contraindications for All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass?
All-Grass Of Common Knotgrass should not be used in: Pregnancy … bitter-cold herb with diuretic and potential uterine-stimulant action; traditional contraindication throughout pregnancy; Spleen-Kidney deficiency without damp-heat … cold draining nature depletes Kidney and Middle Jiao Yang with prolonged use. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.