Herba Alternantherae Philoxeroidis
Aliases：Kōng Xīn Wèng Téng Cài (literally "Hollow Water Spinach Vine"), Shuǐ Wèng Cài (literally "Water Spinach"), Shuǐ Huā Shēng (literally "Water Peanut"), Gé Mìng Cǎo (literally "Revolution Grass"), Guò Táng Shé (literally "Pond‑Crossing Snake"), Páng Qí Jú (literally "Fiddler Crab Chrysanthemum"), Jiǎ Wèng Cài (literally "False Water Spinach"), Shuǐ Mǎ Chǐ Xiàn (literally "Water Purslane"), Féi Zhū Cài (literally "Fat Pig Vegetable"), Xǐ Hàn Lián Zǐ Cǎo (literally "Drought‑Loving Lotus Seed Grass"), Kōng Xīn Lián Zǐ Cǎo (literally "Hollow Lotus Seed Grass"), and Cháng Gěng Mǎn Tiān Xīng (literally "Long‑Stemmed Sky‑Full‑of‑Stars"). (These are all alternative names for Kōng Xīn Xiàn, i.e., the dried whole herb of Alternanthera philoxeroides / Alligator Weed.)
Kōng Xīn Xiàn (Alligator Weed) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried whole herb of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., a plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. It grows in ditches, ponds, and wasteland fields. It is recorded in Fujian Zhongcaoyao (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, cools blood, removes toxicity, and promotes diuresis.
Indications
Hemoptysis, hematuria, common cold with fever, measles, Japanese encephalitis, jaundice, strangury with turbid discharge, mumps (parotitis), eczema, carbuncles, boils and sores, snake bites, herpes zoster (shingles), and pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiviral effects. Antibacterial effects. Hepatoprotective effects. Enhancement of cellular immune function. Anti‑hepatic injury effects. Analgesic effects. Immunomodulatory effects.
Ingredients
Flavonoids: 7α-L-rhamnosyl-6-methoxyluteolin, patuletin. Triterpenoids: Oleanolic acid. Sterols: α-Spinasterol, β‑sitosterol. Saponins: Triterpenoid saponins. Organic acids. Phenolic compounds, coumarins, sugars, fats, proteins. Kongxian acid.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 30–60 g (double the dose for fresh herb); or crush and extract the juice. For topical application: appropriate amount, mashed for application; or crush and apply the juice.
Selected Formulas
For hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 120g of fresh whole plant of Kongxin Xian (Alternanthera philoxeroides) and 15g of rock sugar. Stew in water and consume. For hematuria and urinary tract infection (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 30g each of Kongxin Xian, Daji gen (Cirsium japonicum root), and Zizhu Cao (Callicarpa formosana). Decoct in water and drink. For herpes zoster (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 120-240g of fresh whole plant of Kongxin Xian, crush and extract the juice to drink, and apply the residue externally. For hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis (empirical formula) Take 15g each of Kongxin Xian, Cebaiye (Platycladus orientalis leaf), and Oujie (lotus node). Decoct in water and drink. For hemoptysis, jaundice, strangury with turbid discharge, hematuria, and postpartum urinary retention (Fujian Materia Medica) Take an appropriate amount of Kongxin Xian, decoct in water and drink. For common cold with fever, eczema, herpes zoster, furuncles, and venomous snake bites (Guangxi Bencao Xuanbian) Take an appropriate amount of Kongxin Xian for internal use or external application.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried whole herb of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., a plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
