Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Cudweed

Chinese
鼠曲草
Pinyin
Shu Qu Cao
Latin
Herba Gnaphalii Affinis
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Cudweed, Pseudognaphalium affine, showing habit, leaves, capitula, achene, pappus, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Shu Qu Cao (鼠曲草), this sweet, neutral herb enters the Lung and Spleen. Traditionally, it resolves phlegm and stops cough, most often applied for bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, and hypertension. Modern research has identified Quercetin among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Gnaphalium

Latin: Herba Gnaphalii Affinis | Pinyin: Shu Qu Cao | Chinese: 鼠曲草

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Lung, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Resolves phlegm and stops cough … used for productive cough, bronchitis, and phlegm-damp obstruction in the Lung; used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management
  • Dispels Wind-Cold … used for colds, flu, headache, and exterior Wind-Cold patterns

Secondary Actions

  • Lowers blood pressure … modern application for hypertension in folk medicine
  • Relieves rheumatic pain … used for inflammatory joint pain and rheumatic arthritis

Classic Formulas

  • Fufang Fuercao Heji (复方佛耳草合剂) … registered Chinese patent medicine with G. affine as main component; indicated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Quercetin … primary active antioxidant flavonoid; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; identified as principal bioactive component
  • Luteolin … flavone; anti-inflammatory via NF-κB and COX-2 inhibition
  • Chlorogenic acid and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives … phenolic acids with anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties
  • β-Caryophyllene and γ-muurolene … major essential oil sesquiterpene components; anti-inflammatory
  • Senkirkine and doronine … pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the genus (see safety section)

Studied Effects

  • Antioxidant … extract shows remarkable free radical-scavenging activity (ABTS, DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals); inhibits lipid peroxidation; quercetin identified as primary active antioxidant responsible for protective effects (PMID 23685244)
  • Cardioprotective … extract protects cardiomyocytes from H2O2-induced apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway activation; reduces apoptosis markers and preserves cell viability (PMID 33189844)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Cautions

  • PYRROLIZIDINE ALKALOIDS PRESENT: Gnaphalium genus contains senkirkine and doronine … hepatotoxic and tumorigenic PAs; PA content in G. affine is lower than Senecio species and the herb is used in food (Qingming Festival) and registered pharmaceutical preparations, but avoid prolonged high-dose use
  • Pregnancy, hepatic disease, and children … PA content creates elevated risk in these vulnerable populations; limit duration and dose under these conditions
  • XLSX duplicate of herb_id 35 (Fo Er Cao / 佛耳草) … Shu Qu Cao (鼠曲草) is the primary pharmacopoeia name for the same plant; both names refer to Gnaphalium affine
  • 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 Cudweed used for?

All-Grass of Cudweed is traditionally used to Resolves phlegm and stops cough … used for productive cough, bronchitis, and phlegm-damp obstruction in the Lung; used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, Dispels Wind-Cold … used for colds, flu, headache, and exterior Wind-Cold patterns. Research has investigated its effects on: Antioxidant … extract shows remarkable free radical-scavenging activity (ABTS, DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals); inhibits lipid peroxidation; quercetin identified as primary active antioxidant responsible for protective effects (PMID 23685244); Cardioprotective … extract protects cardiomyocytes from H2O2-induced apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway activation; reduces apoptosis markers and preserves cell viability (PMID 33189844).

What are other names for All-Grass of Cudweed?

All-Grass of Cudweed is also known as Gnaphalium. In TCM: 鼠曲草 (Shu Qu Cao); Herba Gnaphalii Affinis.

Is All-Grass of Cudweed safe during pregnancy?

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