Alligator Weed Herb
- Chinese
- 空心莲子草
- Pinyin
- Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao
- Latin
- Herba Alternantherae
Known in TCM as Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao (空心莲子草), this slightly bitter, cool herb enters the Liver, Heart, and Lung. Traditionally, it clears Heat and cools Blood, most often applied for hematuria, urinary tract infection, and diabetes. Modern research has identified Quercetin among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Alternantherae | Pinyin: Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao | Chinese: 空心莲子草
TCM Properties
- Taste
- slightly bitter
- Temperature
- cool
- Channels
- Liver, Heart, Lung
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears Heat and cools Blood … febrile illness, hemoptysis, hematuria, and epistaxis from Blood Heat
- Resolves toxicity and reduces swelling … carbuncles, venomous snake bite, and infected sores
- Clears Lung Heat and stops cough … Lung-heat cough and hemoptysis
- Promotes urination … dysuria and urinary tract infection from Damp-Heat
Secondary Actions
- External use for burns and skin conditions … fresh herb pounded as poultice for burns, scalds, and eczematous skin in south China folk medicine
- Antidiabetic folk use … used in southeast Asian traditional medicine for blood glucose management; validated in preliminary pharmacological studies
Classical References
- Guang Zhou Min Jian Cao Yao (广州民间草药): documents Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao (空心莲子草, 'hollow-heart lotus-seed herb', named for the hollow stems floating on water) as a Heat-clearing and Blood-cooling herb used in Guangdong and south China folk medicine for febrile bleeding, snake bite, and burns; the plant is semi-aquatic and widely distributed in rice paddies and waterways of tropical and subtropical China
- SPECIES NOTE: Herb #90 (Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao) is Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. … Alligator Weed, an invasive aquatic herb from South America naturalised throughout tropical Asia; Herb #91 (Lian Zi Cao) in this database shares the same Latin Herba Alternantherae and may represent Alternanthera sessilis L. … a related but distinct species; both are used interchangeably under the Herba Alternantherae umbrella in regional folk medicine
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides (flavonoids; anti-inflammatory, antioxidant)
- Betacyanins and betaxanthins (betalain pigments; antioxidant, antidiabetic)
- Triterpenoids: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid (anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective)
- Sterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol (anti-inflammatory)
- Phenolic acids: chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid (antioxidant)
Studied Effects
- Anti-inflammatory: flavonoid and triterpenoid fractions from Alternanthera philoxeroides inhibit COX-2 and NF-κB in LPS-stimulated macrophage models; significant reduction of paw edema in carrageenan assays … provides mechanistic basis for the Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving folk applications
- Antidiabetic: aqueous extract of A. philoxeroides shows significant glucose-lowering activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rodent models via α-glucosidase inhibition and insulin sensitisation; betacyanin content may contribute additional antioxidant protection of pancreatic β-cells … consistent with the southeast Asian folk diabetes application
- Wound healing and antifungal: topical preparations of A. philoxeroides accelerate wound contraction and re-epithelialisation in excision wound models; aqueous and ethanol extracts inhibit Candida albicans and dermatophytes … supports the folk topical use for burns, skin sores, and skin infections
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … cool nature impairs digestive Yang with prolonged use
- Cold-pattern bleeding without Blood Heat … cooling action inappropriate for cold-deficiency haemorrhage
Cautions
- Standard dose: 15–30 g dried herb in decoction; 30–60 g fresh herb; topical: fresh herb pounded as poultice
- Limited formal clinical safety and pharmacokinetic data; considered safe at traditional doses based on extensive folk use across south China and southeast Asia
- Antidiabetic medications: additive glucose-lowering effect; monitor blood glucose in diabetic patients consuming regularly
Drug Interactions
- Antidiabetic medications … additive hypoglycemic effect via α-glucosidase inhibition; monitor blood glucose
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alligator Weed Herb used for?
Alligator Weed Herb is traditionally used to Clears Heat and cools Blood … febrile illness, hemoptysis, hematuria, and epistaxis from Blood Heat, Resolves toxicity and reduces swelling … carbuncles, venomous snake bite, and infected sores, Clears Lung Heat and stops cough … Lung-heat cough and hemoptysis, Promotes urination … dysuria and urinary tract infection from Damp-Heat. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory: flavonoid and triterpenoid fractions from Alternanthera philoxeroides inhibit COX-2 and NF-κB in LPS-stimulated macrophage models; significant reduction of paw edema in carrageenan assays … provides mechanistic basis for the Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving folk applications; Antidiabetic: aqueous extract of A. philoxeroides shows significant glucose-lowering activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rodent models via α-glucosidase inhibition and insulin sensitisation; betacyanin content may contribute additional antioxidant protection of pancreatic β-cells … consistent with the southeast Asian folk diabetes application.
What are other names for Alligator Weed Herb?
Alligator Weed Herb is also known as Alternanthera. In TCM: 空心莲子草 (Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao); Herba Alternantherae.
Is Alligator Weed Herb safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Alligator Weed Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Alligator Weed Herb?
Alligator Weed Herb should not be used in: Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … cool nature impairs digestive Yang with prolonged use; Cold-pattern bleeding without Blood Heat … cooling action inappropriate for cold-deficiency haemorrhage. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.
Does Alligator Weed Herb interact with any medications?
Alligator Weed Herb may interact with: Antidiabetic medications … additive hypoglycemic effect via α-glucosidase inhibition; monitor blood glucose. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.