Glandularstalk St. Paulswort

Chinese
豨薟草
Pinyin
Xi Xian Cao
Latin
Herba Siegesbeckiae

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, acrid
Temperature
cold
Channels
Liver, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Dispels Wind-Dampness and unblocks the collaterals
  • Benefits the joints and strengthens sinews and bones
  • Clears Heat and resolves toxicity
  • Calms the Liver and subdues Liver Yang

Secondary Actions

  • Opens channels to address post-stroke hemiplegia and numbness
  • Clears Damp-Heat from the skin (eczema, urticaria)

Classic Formulas

  • Xi Xian Wan (豨薟丸) — classic patent formula using wine-processed Xi Xian Cao to dispel Wind-Damp, strengthen sinews and bones, and treat chronic Bi syndrome with joint pain and lower back weakness

Classical References

  • Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): notes Xi Xian as a key herb for Wind-Damp conditions affecting the bones and joints; distinguishes raw (cold, detoxifying) from processed (warm, tonifying) forms
  • Listed as slightly toxic (有小毒) in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; wine-steaming transforms its thermal nature from cold to warm and reduces nausea

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Kirenol (ent-pimarane diterpenoid; principal bioactive compound)
  • Darutoside (labdane diterpenoid)
  • Hesperidin (flavonoid)
  • Ent-kaurane diterpenoids
  • Rosmarinic acid
  • Chlorogenic acid

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory: ethanol extract significantly reduces NO, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated macrophages; inhibits NF-κB activation by blocking IκB-α degradation (PMID 25328884)
  • Kirenol, darutoside, and hesperidin collectively inhibit COX-2 protein expression and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects (PMID 33152433)
  • Anti-hyperuricemic and analgesic activity demonstrated in phenolic-rich fractions, supporting traditional use in gout and joint pain (PMID 28376775)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy — channel-opening action; contraindicated
  • Blood deficiency without Wind-Damp pattern
  • Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold (raw herb especially)

Cautions

  • Classified as slightly toxic (有小毒) in Chinese Pharmacopoeia; raw form can cause nausea and vomiting at higher doses
  • Wine-steamed (processed) form is gentler and preferred for chronic deficiency conditions
  • Standard dose 9–12g decoction; up to 30g used under supervision for hypertension or severe Bi syndrome
  • Overdose may cause persistent vomiting requiring medical attention

Drug Interactions

  • Antihypertensive medications: additive blood-pressure-lowering effect possible; monitor for hypotension
  • Immunosuppressants: preclinical immunosuppressive activity reported; caution with concurrent immunosuppressive therapy

Conditions