All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia
- Chinese
- 败酱草
- Pinyin
- Bai Jiang Cao
- Latin
- Herba Patriniae
Known in TCM as Bai Jiang Cao (败酱草), this acrid and bitter, slightly cold herb enters the Liver, Stomach, and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it clears heat and relieves toxicity, reduces abscess and expels pus, most often applied for pelvic inflammatory disease, appendicitis, and dysentery. Modern research has identified Triterpenoid saponins (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid glycosides) among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Patriniae | Pinyin: Bai Jiang Cao | Chinese: 败酱草
TCM Properties
- Taste
- acrid, bitter
- Temperature
- slightly cold
- Channels
- Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears heat and relieves toxicity, reduces abscess and expels pus … used for intestinal abscesses (acute appendicitis), pelvic inflammatory disease, hepatitis, dysentery, and heat toxicity causing pus formation
- Dispels blood stasis and relieves pain … used for postpartum abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, and stasis-heat pain in the Lower Jiao
Secondary Actions
- Applied in gynecology … used for mastitis, tubal obstructive infertility, and pelvic endometriosis from damp-heat and blood stasis
- Clears damp-heat in the intestines … used for ulcerative colitis, anal cryptitis, and typhoid enteritis
Classic Formulas
- Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San (薏苡附子败酱散) … Bai Jiang Cao as deputy with Yi Yi Ren and Fu Zi; for intestinal abscess with pus discharge in constitutionally cold patients
- Da Huang Mu Dan Tang (大黄牡丹汤) … with Da Huang, Mu Dan Pi, Tao Ren, Hua Shi; for acute appendicitis with heat and blood stasis
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Triterpenoid saponins (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid glycosides) … primary constituents of P. scabiosaefolia; anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and hepatoprotective
- Iridoids (patrinoside, villosoides) … anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective glycoside compounds
- Flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, luteolin) … antioxidant and anti-inflammatory secondary metabolites
- Volatile oils … the characteristic soy-sauce odor compounds including isovaleric acid and β-caryophyllene
- Polysaccharides … immunomodulatory macromolecules
Studied Effects
- Comprehensive phytochemistry and pharmacology … 233 compounds identified across two Patrinia species; triterpenoid saponins and volatile oils as main P. scabiosaefolia constituents; anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, hepatoprotective activities confirmed; clinical applications validated in pelvic inflammatory disease, hepatitis, and gynecological conditions (PMID 32846192)
- Novel iridoids … nine unique iridoids and iridoid glycosides discovered from P. scabiosaefolia including three new iridoids and six new iridoid glycosides; structural characterization expands known phytochemical profile (PMID 33855012)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Spleen-Qi deficiency without heat toxicity … acrid-bitter cold nature damages Spleen Yang with prolonged use; avoid in cold-deficient patterns without abscess or heat toxin
Cautions
- Pregnancy … blood-moving and stasis-dispersing properties; use with caution; avoid high doses especially in the first trimester
- MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Clinical ★★★★☆ JSON
- Appendicitis Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Dysentery Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia used for?
All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia is traditionally used to Clears heat and relieves toxicity, reduces abscess and expels pus … used for intestinal abscesses (acute appendicitis), pelvic inflammatory disease, hepatitis, dysentery, and heat toxicity causing pus formation, Dispels blood stasis and relieves pain … used for postpartum abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, and stasis-heat pain in the Lower Jiao. Research has investigated its effects on: Comprehensive phytochemistry and pharmacology … 233 compounds identified across two Patrinia species; triterpenoid saponins and volatile oils as main P. scabiosaefolia constituents; anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, hepatoprotective activities confirmed; clinical applications validated in pelvic inflammatory disease, hepatitis, and gynecological conditions (PMID 32846192); Novel iridoids … nine unique iridoids and iridoid glycosides discovered from P. scabiosaefolia including three new iridoids and six new iridoid glycosides; structural characterization expands known phytochemical profile (PMID 33855012).
What are other names for All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia?
All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia is also known as Patrinia. In TCM: 败酱草 (Bai Jiang Cao); Herba Patriniae.
Is All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia safe during pregnancy?
The safety of All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia?
All-Grass of Dahurian Patrinia should not be used in: Spleen-Qi deficiency without heat toxicity … acrid-bitter cold nature damages Spleen Yang with prolonged use; avoid in cold-deficient patterns without abscess or heat toxin. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.