Natural Herb Library

Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb

Chinese
地胆头
Pinyin
Di Dan Tou
Latin
Herba Elephantopi Scaberis
Botanical illustration of Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb, Elephantopus scaber, showing habit, leaves, flower heads, cypsela, pappus, rootstock, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Di Dan Tou (地胆头), this bitter and pungent, cold herb enters the Lung, Liver, and Kidney. Traditionally, it clears Heat and resolves toxicity, most often applied for tonsillitis, upper respiratory infection, and urinary tract infection. Modern research has identified Deoxyelephantopin among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Elephantopi

Latin: Herba Elephantopi Scaberis | Pinyin: Di Dan Tou | Chinese: 地胆头

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, pungent
Temperature
cold
Channels
Lung, Liver, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears Heat and resolves toxicity … febrile illness, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, abscess, and snake or insect bite
  • Promotes urination and reduces edema … nephritis, oliguria, and lower-body edema from Kidney-channel Damp-Heat
  • Anti-inflammatory, stops pain … rheumatic joint pain and Bi syndrome with Heat signs
  • Cools Blood … hematuria, epistaxis, and skin lesions from Blood Heat

Secondary Actions

  • Clears Lung Heat and stops cough … productive cough with yellow phlegm and bronchitis with fever
  • External application … fresh herb poultice for carbuncles, furuncles, and venomous bites in southern China folk practice

Classical References

  • Ling Nan Cao Yao Zhi (岭南草药志; Flora of Lingnan Medicinal Herbs): documents Di Dan Tou (Elephantopus scaber) as a principal Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving herb of south China folk medicine … widely used in Guangdong, Fujian, and Guangxi provinces for febrile illness, tonsillitis, and nephritis; not present in classical northern TCM formularies as it is a subtropical species of south and southeast China
  • Quan Guo Zhong Cao Yao Hui Bian: lists Di Dan Tou for upper respiratory infection with fever, urinary tract infection, and emergency topical treatment of snake bite

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Deoxyelephantopin (major sesquiterpene lactone; principal bioactive; cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory; alkylates NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway proteins)
  • Elephantopin (sesquiterpene lactone; cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory)
  • Isodeoxyelephantopin (sesquiterpene lactone; anti-inflammatory, anticancer)
  • Luteolin and apigenin (flavonoids; anti-inflammatory, antioxidant)
  • Betulinic acid and oleanolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenoids; anti-inflammatory, antitumor)
  • Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (phytosterols; anti-inflammatory)
  • Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid (phenolic acids; antioxidant)

Studied Effects

  • Anticancer: deoxyelephantopin (DEP) induces apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest across multiple cancer cell lines (breast, lung, cervical, colon) via ROS generation, NF-κB suppression, and Bcl-2 downregulation; selectively cytotoxic to cancer cells while sparing normal cells in comparative in vitro assays … provides mechanistic basis for the toxin-resolving folk application against hard, hot inflammatory swellings
  • Anti-inflammatory: aqueous and ethanol extracts of E. scaber significantly inhibit TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages; in vivo studies confirm dose-dependent reduction of carrageenan-induced paw edema … validates the Bi-syndrome and febrile toxin-clearing traditional uses in south China
  • Nephroprotective: E. scaber extract reduces serum creatinine and BUN in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity models and partially restores glomerular architecture in histopathological examination … consistent with the traditional nephritis and oliguria application widely practised in Guangdong folk medicine

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold patterns … absence of fever, clear or pale secretions, aversion to cold; cold-natured herb will aggravate Yang deficiency
  • Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold with loose stools
  • Pregnancy … sesquiterpene lactones (deoxyelephantopin, elephantopin) are cytotoxic; embryotoxicity not formally excluded; avoid

Cautions

  • Standard dose: 15–30 g dried herb in decoction; 30–60 g fresh herb; external use: fresh herb macerated as poultice
  • SAFETY-CRITICAL: deoxyelephantopin and elephantopin are potent sesquiterpene lactones with confirmed cytotoxic activity … prolonged high-dose internal use without clinical supervision is not recommended
  • Sesquiterpene lactone contact sensitisation: cross-reactive dermatitis possible in Asteraceae-allergic individuals; patch test recommended before topical use
  • Cytotoxic chemotherapy: theoretical additive cytotoxicity … avoid concurrent use without oncology supervision

Drug Interactions

  • Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents … additive cytotoxic effect via deoxyelephantopin; avoid without oncology supervision

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb used for?

Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb is traditionally used to Clears Heat and resolves toxicity … febrile illness, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, abscess, and snake or insect bite, Promotes urination and reduces edema … nephritis, oliguria, and lower-body edema from Kidney-channel Damp-Heat, Anti-inflammatory, stops pain … rheumatic joint pain and Bi syndrome with Heat signs, Cools Blood … hematuria, epistaxis, and skin lesions from Blood Heat. Research has investigated its effects on: Anticancer: deoxyelephantopin (DEP) induces apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest across multiple cancer cell lines (breast, lung, cervical, colon) via ROS generation, NF-κB suppression, and Bcl-2 downregulation; selectively cytotoxic to cancer cells while sparing normal cells in comparative in vitro assays … provides mechanistic basis for the toxin-resolving folk application against hard, hot inflammatory swellings; Anti-inflammatory: aqueous and ethanol extracts of E. scaber significantly inhibit TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages; in vivo studies confirm dose-dependent reduction of carrageenan-induced paw edema … validates the Bi-syndrome and febrile toxin-clearing traditional uses in south China.

What are other names for Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb?

Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb is also known as Elephantopi. In TCM: 地胆头 (Di Dan Tou); Herba Elephantopi Scaberis.

Is Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb safe during pregnancy?

Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb?

Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb should not be used in: Cold patterns … absence of fever, clear or pale secretions, aversion to cold; cold-natured herb will aggravate Yang deficiency; Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold with loose stools; Pregnancy … sesquiterpene lactones (deoxyelephantopin, elephantopin) are cytotoxic; embryotoxicity not formally excluded; avoid. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb interact with any medications?

Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb may interact with: Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents … additive cytotoxic effect via deoxyelephantopin; avoid without oncology supervision. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.