Natural Herb Library

Snow-of-June Herb

Chinese
白马骨
Pinyin
Bai Ma Gu
Latin
Herba Serissae
Botanical illustration of Snow-of-June Herb, Serissa japonica, showing habit, leaves, flowers, capsule fruit, seed, woody base, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Bai Ma Gu (白马骨), this bitter and pungent, cool herb enters the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen. Traditionally, it clears Heat and resolves toxicity, most often applied for tonsillitis, rheumatism, and hematuria. Modern research has identified Ursolic among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Serissa

Latin: Herba Serissae | Pinyin: Bai Ma Gu | Chinese: 白马骨

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, pungent
Temperature
cool
Channels
Liver, Kidney, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears Heat and resolves toxicity … febrile illness, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, carbuncles, and toxic swellings
  • Dispels Wind and relieves pain … headache and rheumatic joint and muscle pain from Wind-Damp or Wind-Heat
  • Promotes urination and resolves Dampness … dysuria, urinary tract infection, and lower-body edema
  • Stops bleeding … hematuria, abnormal uterine bleeding, and hemoptysis from Blood Heat

Secondary Actions

  • External use: fresh herb or strong decoction wash for skin sores, eczema, boils, and venomous insect bites … widely used in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui folk medicine
  • Antispasmodic … used in southern and central China folk practice for muscle spasm and cramp

Classical References

  • Jiang Su Zhong Yao Zhi (江苏中药志; Jiangsu Materia Medica): records Bai Ma Gu (Serissa japonica) as a principal Heat-clearing and Wind-Damp-dispelling herb of east China folk medicine; used for wind-cold arthralgia, febrile toxin patterns, and haemorrhagic conditions; the name 'Bai Ma Gu' (white horse bone) refers to the white-barked branches resembling bleached bone
  • ENGLISH NAME NOTE: Serissa japonica (= Serissa foetida) is commonly known as 'Snow-of-June' or 'Snow Bush' in English for its white flower clusters; the name 'All-Grass of Snow of June' in the source XLSX reflects this common English horticultural name

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenoids; anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective)
  • Rutin and quercetin (flavonoids; anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vascular-protective)
  • Luteolin and apigenin (flavonoids; anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic)
  • Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid (phenolic acids; antioxidant, antimicrobial)
  • Iridoid glycosides (anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective … characteristic of Rubiaceae)
  • Tannins (astringent; haemostatic, antimicrobial)

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory: ursolic acid and flavonoid fraction from Serissa japonica inhibit COX-2 and NF-κB activation in LPS-stimulated macrophage models, reducing prostaglandin E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6) production … provides mechanistic basis for the fever-clearing, toxin-resolving, and Wind-Damp pain-relieving traditional applications
  • Antimicrobial: chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and tannins from S. japonica exhibit inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Escherichia coli in MIC assays; consistent with the folk use for tonsillitis, carbuncles, and skin infections
  • Antioxidant: total phenolic and flavonoid content from S. japonica aerial parts demonstrates significant DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity; ursolic acid shows cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress in hepatocyte models

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … cool-bitter nature will impair digestive Yang; avoid with loose stools and cold abdomen
  • Cold-pattern Bi syndrome without Heat signs … cooling action contraindicated in pure Cold arthralgia

Cautions

  • Standard dose: 15–30 g dried herb in decoction; 30–60 g fresh herb; topical: concentrated decoction wash or fresh herb poultice
  • Limited formal clinical safety data; considered safe at traditional doses based on regional folk use across east and south China
  • Pregnancy: cool-bitter herbs with anti-haemorrhagic action; traditionally used with caution in pregnancy

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Snow-of-June Herb used for?

Snow-of-June Herb is traditionally used to Clears Heat and resolves toxicity … febrile illness, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, carbuncles, and toxic swellings, Dispels Wind and relieves pain … headache and rheumatic joint and muscle pain from Wind-Damp or Wind-Heat, Promotes urination and resolves Dampness … dysuria, urinary tract infection, and lower-body edema, Stops bleeding … hematuria, abnormal uterine bleeding, and hemoptysis from Blood Heat. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory: ursolic acid and flavonoid fraction from Serissa japonica inhibit COX-2 and NF-κB activation in LPS-stimulated macrophage models, reducing prostaglandin E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6) production … provides mechanistic basis for the fever-clearing, toxin-resolving, and Wind-Damp pain-relieving traditional applications; Antimicrobial: chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and tannins from S. japonica exhibit inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Escherichia coli in MIC assays; consistent with the folk use for tonsillitis, carbuncles, and skin infections.

What are other names for Snow-of-June Herb?

Snow-of-June Herb is also known as Serissa. In TCM: 白马骨 (Bai Ma Gu); Herba Serissae.

Is Snow-of-June Herb safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Snow-of-June Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Snow-of-June Herb?

Snow-of-June Herb should not be used in: Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … cool-bitter nature will impair digestive Yang; avoid with loose stools and cold abdomen; Cold-pattern Bi syndrome without Heat signs … cooling action contraindicated in pure Cold arthralgia. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.