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.)
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