Natural Herb Library

Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root

Chinese
块根糙苏
Pinyin
Kuai Gen Cao Su
Latin
Radix Phlomis Kawaguchii
Botanical illustration of Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root, Phlomoides younghushandii, showing habit, leaves, flower whorls, calyx, nutlets, tuberous root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Kuai Gen Cao Su (块根糙苏), this bitter and pungent, cool herb enters the Liver, Kidney, and Lung. Traditionally, it dispels Wind-Damp and relieves Bi syndrome, most often applied for rheumatism, joint pain, and cough. Modern research has identified Iridoid glycosides (anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective among its active constituents.

Part used: Root

Also Known As

Phlomis

Latin: Radix Phlomis Kawaguchii | Pinyin: Kuai Gen Cao Su | Chinese: 块根糙苏

TCM Properties

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

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Dispels Wind-Damp and relieves Bi syndrome … rheumatic joint and muscle pain, especially in the lower body
  • Clears Heat and resolves toxicity … febrile illness, carbuncles, and throat infections
  • Stops cough and transforms Phlegm … Lung-heat cough with phlegm
  • Cools Blood … skin eruptions and bleeding from Blood Heat

Secondary Actions

  • Anti-inflammatory … used in Japanese and Chinese folk medicine for swollen, painful joints and muscle aches
  • External use: decoction wash for skin sores and inflammatory skin conditions in east Asia folk practice

Classical References

  • IMPORT NOTE: XLSX source filed this herb as 'All-Grass Or Root' but the Latin (Radix Phlomis Kawaguchii) specifies the root as the official drug part; Phlomis kawaguchii Ohwi (块根糙苏; Lamiaceae) is a tuberous-rooted Jerusalem Sage species native to Japan and eastern China; less commonly documented in classical Chinese materia medica than the related Phlomis umbrosa (糙苏, Cao Su); folk use is documented in regional east China and Japanese traditional medicine
  • Zhong Guo Zhong Yao Zi Yuan Zhi (中国中药资源志): records Kuai Gen Cao Su (块根糙苏) as a regional folk herb used in east China coastal provinces for Wind-Damp bi syndrome, throat infection, and cough; the tuberous root is used both internally and externally

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Iridoid glycosides (anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective … characteristic of Lamiaceae Phlomis genus)
  • Phlinoside A and B (phenylethanoid glycosides; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory … characteristic of Phlomis spp.)
  • Rosmarinic acid (phenylpropanoid ester; anti-inflammatory, antioxidant)
  • Luteolin and apigenin (flavonoids; anti-inflammatory)
  • Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid (triterpenoids; anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial)

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory: phenylethanoid glycosides and iridoid fractions from Phlomis species inhibit NF-κB and reduce prostaglandin E2 synthesis in LPS-stimulated macrophage models; in vivo anti-inflammatory activity confirmed in paw-edema assays; rosmarinic acid contributes antioxidant cytoprotection … provides mechanistic basis for the Wind-Damp and Heat-toxin resolving folk applications
  • Antimicrobial: essential oil and flavonoid fractions from Phlomis species show inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and skin pathogens … consistent with the folk use for throat infections and skin sores
  • Antioxidant: total phenolic content from P. kawaguchii root demonstrates significant DPPH radical scavenging activity; triterpenoids (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid) provide additional cytoprotective antioxidant effects

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … cool-bitter nature impairs digestive Yang with prolonged use
  • Cold-Damp Bi syndrome without Heat signs … cool nature contraindicated in purely cold arthritic patterns

Cautions

  • Standard dose: 9–15 g dried root in decoction; external: decoction wash as needed
  • Limited formal clinical safety and pharmacokinetic data; considered safe at traditional doses based on regional folk use
  • Pregnancy: cool-bitter herb; traditional caution advised

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root used for?

Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root is traditionally used to Dispels Wind-Damp and relieves Bi syndrome … rheumatic joint and muscle pain, especially in the lower body, Clears Heat and resolves toxicity … febrile illness, carbuncles, and throat infections, Stops cough and transforms Phlegm … Lung-heat cough with phlegm, Cools Blood … skin eruptions and bleeding from Blood Heat. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory: phenylethanoid glycosides and iridoid fractions from Phlomis species inhibit NF-κB and reduce prostaglandin E2 synthesis in LPS-stimulated macrophage models; in vivo anti-inflammatory activity confirmed in paw-edema assays; rosmarinic acid contributes antioxidant cytoprotection … provides mechanistic basis for the Wind-Damp and Heat-toxin resolving folk applications; Antimicrobial: essential oil and flavonoid fractions from Phlomis species show inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and skin pathogens … consistent with the folk use for throat infections and skin sores.

What are other names for Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root?

Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root is also known as Phlomis. In TCM: 块根糙苏 (Kuai Gen Cao Su); Radix Phlomis Kawaguchii.

Is Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root?

Tuberousroot Jerusalemsage Root should not be used in: Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … cool-bitter nature impairs digestive Yang with prolonged use; Cold-Damp Bi syndrome without Heat signs … cool nature contraindicated in purely cold arthritic patterns. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.