Penthori Herba / Herba Penthori Chinensis
Aliases：Chě Gēn Cài (Root-Pulling Vegetable); Shuǐ Zé Lán (Water Marsh Orchid); Shuǐ Yáng Liǔ (Water Willow); Shān Huáng Shàn (Mountain Yellow Eel); Shuǐ Zǐ Lán (Water Indigo); Yǎng Gān Cǎo (Liver-Nourishing Herb); Hóng Liǔ Xìn (Red Willow Letter); Liú Tán Cǎo (Rheum-Phlegm Herb); Hóng Qū Cǎo (Red Koji Herb); Shuǐ Táo Cǎo (Water Peach Herb); Shuāng Xiàn Cǎo (Double-Line Herb); Shuǐ Xiàn Cǎo (Water Amaranth Herb).
Gǎn Huáng Cǎo (Penthorum Herb) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried whole plant or aerial part of Penthorum chinense Pursh, a plant of the genus Penthorum (family Penthoraceae, formerly Saxifragaceae). This herb is dual-use as both medicine and food, suitable for therapeutic treatment as well as daily consumption as a health tea.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes diuresis and removes dampness, invigorates blood and disperses stasis, clears heat and detoxifies, promotes diuresis and reduces edema, and treats jaundice.
Indications
Used for edema, dysuria, jaundice, leukorrhea, dysentery, amenorrhea, traumatic injury, hematuria, metrorrhagia, carbuncles and sores, and snakebite. Modern applications also include liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and fatty liver disease.
Modern Pharmacology
Hepatoprotective Effect: Ganhuangcao (Penthorum Herb) exhibits significant protective effects against viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver injury, and non-alcoholic liver injury. It helps restore liver function and inhibit hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. The total flavonoids of Ganhuangcao are the main active components responsible for its anti-alcoholic liver injury effect. Antioxidant Effect: Ganhuangcao is rich in flavonoids and other polyphenolic components, demonstrating good antioxidant activity. Anti-inflammatory Effect: Ganhuangcao exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Anti-hepatitis Virus Effect: Ganhuangcao has inhibitory activity against hepatitis B virus. Antitumor Effect: Ganhuangcao possesses antitumor activity. Choleretic Effect: Ganhuangcao promotes bile secretion and excretion. Hypoglycemic Effect: Research suggests that Ganhuangcao has the potential to lower blood sugar levels.
Ingredients
To date, compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols, esters, coumarins, organic acids, and polyphenols have been isolated from Ganhuangcao (Penthorum Herb), among which flavonoids are the predominant components and constitute its main active constituents. The flavonoid compounds identified include pinocembrin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin, quercetin-3-α-L-pyranoglucoside, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, pinocembrin, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, mangiferin, trans-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one, and others.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 15–30 g. For infusion as tea, no more than 8 g per day. Topical Administration: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for washing, or mashed fresh herb applied to the affected area.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Use with caution in patients with gastrointestinal deficiency: may aggravate symptoms and cause adverse reactions such as diarrhea. Not suitable for pregnant and lactating women. Not suitable for infants, young children, and adolescents. Long-term, excessive use may have adverse effects on kidney function; should be taken in appropriate amounts under the guidance of a physician. During the course of use, avoid raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods, as well as alcohol and tobacco.
Selected Formulas
For difficult urination (Kepu China) Take 5 qian of Ganhuangcao and 4 qian of Cheqiancao (Plantago herb). Decoct in water and drink. For thirst due to summer heat injury (Kepu China) Take 5 qian of Ganhuangcao. Steep in boiling water and drink as tea. For jaundice edema due to dampness (Kepu China) Take 1 liang each of Ganhuangcao, Yandouteng root, Niaozhuzi root, and Shanjiaohu root. Stew with meat and consume. For edema, food stagnation swelling, and qi swelling (Guizhou Folk Medicines) Take 1 liang of Shuizelan (Ganhuangcao), 5 qian of Choucaogen, 4 qian of Wugugen, 3 qian of Zheergan (Houttuynia), and 3 qian of Shichangpu (Acorus). Decoct in water and drink. For traumatic injury with swelling and pain (Guizhou Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of Shuizelan, crush and apply to the affected area; additionally, take 5 qian of Shuizelan, decoct in wine and drink.
Daily Consumption
Ganhuangcao Tea: Take 3–5 g of Ganhuangcao (Penthorum Herb), steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. It helps promote diuresis and remove dampness. Ganhuangcao Decoction: Take 15–30 g of Ganhuangcao, add water, decoct, and drink the liquid.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.