Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Common Sage

Chinese
荔枝草
Pinyin
Li Zhi Cao
Latin
Herba Salviae Plebeiae
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Common Sage, Salvia plebeia, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Li Zhi Cao (荔枝草), this bitter and acrid, cool herb enters the Lung, Stomach, and Liver. Traditionally, it clears heat and relieves toxicity, most often applied for pharyngitis, urinary tract infection, and bronchitis. Modern research has identified Rosmarinic acid (up to 33% of EtOAc extract; 4.46% dry weight) among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Salvia

Latin: Herba Salviae Plebeiae | Pinyin: Li Zhi Cao | Chinese: 荔枝草

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, acrid
Temperature
cool
Channels
Lung, Stomach, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and relieves toxicity … used for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and respiratory infections from heat toxicity in Lung and Stomach
  • Cools blood and stops bleeding … used for hemoptysis, epistaxis, hematuria, and hemorrhage from heat entering the blood level

Secondary Actions

  • Promotes diuresis and clears damp-heat … used for urinary tract infections and liver inflammation from damp-heat in the Lower Jiao
  • Kills parasites … traditional anthelmintic application for intestinal parasitic infestations

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Rosmarinic acid (up to 33% of EtOAc extract; 4.46% dry weight) … primary phenolic acid; potent anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and neuroprotective
  • 6-Hydroxyluteolin-7-O-glucoside (100.63 mg/g) … most abundant flavonoid glycoside; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
  • Hispidulin … flavone with anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antitumor activity
  • Luteolin and jaceosidin … anti-inflammatory flavones; inhibit NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines
  • Caffeic acid and salvianolic acids … phenolic acids with antioxidant and cardioprotective properties
  • Homoplantaginin and nepitrin … flavonoid glycosides unique to Salvia plebeia

Studied Effects

  • Sedative and gastroprotective … rosmarinic acid-rich extract shows significant sedative activity in rodent behavioral models and gastroprotective effects against ethanol-induced gastric lesions; rosmarinic acid confirmed as dominant constituent by HPLC (PMID 22941483)
  • Phytochemical profiling … isolation and HPLC-UV characterization of phenolic acids and flavonoids; 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-glucoside and rosmarinic acid established as quality markers for S. plebeia across four Chinese Salvia species (PMID 35287319)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold-type cough and deficiency-cold conditions without heat … cool bitter nature worsens cold-damp and Lung-cold patterns

Cautions

  • 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 Sage used for?

All-Grass of Common Sage is traditionally used to Clears heat and relieves toxicity … used for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and respiratory infections from heat toxicity in Lung and Stomach, Cools blood and stops bleeding … used for hemoptysis, epistaxis, hematuria, and hemorrhage from heat entering the blood level. Research has investigated its effects on: Sedative and gastroprotective … rosmarinic acid-rich extract shows significant sedative activity in rodent behavioral models and gastroprotective effects against ethanol-induced gastric lesions; rosmarinic acid confirmed as dominant constituent by HPLC (PMID 22941483); Phytochemical profiling … isolation and HPLC-UV characterization of phenolic acids and flavonoids; 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-glucoside and rosmarinic acid established as quality markers for S. plebeia across four Chinese Salvia species (PMID 35287319).

What are other names for All-Grass of Common Sage?

All-Grass of Common Sage is also known as Salvia. In TCM: 荔枝草 (Li Zhi Cao); Herba Salviae Plebeiae.

Is All-Grass of Common Sage safe during pregnancy?

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

What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Common Sage?

All-Grass of Common Sage should not be used in: Cold-type cough and deficiency-cold conditions without heat … cool bitter nature worsens cold-damp and Lung-cold patterns. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.