Saxifrage Herb
- Chinese
- 虎耳草
- Pinyin
- Hu Er Cao
- Latin
- Herba Saxifragae
Known in TCM as Hu Er Cao (虎耳草), this pungent and bitter, cold herb enters the Lung, Spleen, and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it clears heat and resolves toxicity ... Hu Er Cao is used for inflamed sores, throat irritation, and hot toxic surface conditions, most often applied for eczema, hemoptysis, and hemorrhoids. Modern research has identified Bergenin among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Saxifragae | Pinyin: Hu Er Cao | Chinese: 虎耳草
TCM Properties
- Taste
- pungent, bitter
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears heat and resolves toxicity ... Hu Er Cao is used for inflamed sores, throat irritation, and hot toxic surface conditions.
- Cools blood and stops bleeding ... regional practice includes hemoptysis and bleeding hemorrhoids when heat is part of the presentation.
- Has a meaningful external-use lane ... washes, poultices, or fresh-herb applications are common for eczema, boils, and irritated skin.
Secondary Actions
- This page corrects the misleading waxplant reading in place ... the medicinal source here is Saxifraga stolonifera, not a Hoya or ornamental wax vine.
- Compared with stronger internal heat-clearing herbs, Hu Er Cao often occupies a gentler fresh-herb and external-application niche.
Classic Formulas
- Fresh-herb washes for eczema and hot sores ... the most recognizable traditional route.
- Small internal additions for bleeding-from-heat patterns ... especially when upper-airway irritation is also present.
- Regional throat and ear inflammation applications ... a practical folk lane more than a famous named formula tradition.
Classical References
- Traditional herb references describe Hu Er Cao as a cold pungent-bitter herb that clears heat, resolves toxicity, and stops bleeding.
- The source plant is the low rosette saxifrage known for red runners and rounded patterned leaves, not a true waxplant.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Bergenin
- Phenolic acids and related antioxidant constituents
- Additional anti-inflammatory fractions from Saxifraga stolonifera
Studied Effects
- A 2017 study showed that bergenin, a key Hu Er Cao constituent, ameliorated experimental colitis through PPARγ and SIRT1-linked suppression of NF-κB-mediated macrophage activation (PMID 29375382).
- A 2021 paper found that Saxifraga stolonifera inhibited Toll-like-receptor-2-mediated inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes, supporting the herb's traditional skin-inflammation lane (PMID 33819504).
- A 2025 virology paper reported that Saxifraga stolonifera inhibited porcine epidemic diarrhea virus infection through disruption of a nucleocapsid-protein interaction, adding another direct pharmacology signal for the source plant (PMID 40703674).
PubMed References
- Bergenin, Acting as an Agonist of PPARγ, Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in Mice through Improving Expression of SIRT1, and Therefore Inhibiting NF-κB-Mediated Macrophage Activation. (2017)
- Inhibitory effect of strawberry geranium (Saxifraga stolonifera) on Toll-like receptor 2-mediated inflammatory response in human skin keratinocytes. (2021)
- Saxifraga stolonifera inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhea virus infection by disrupting nucleocapsid protein-p53 interaction. (2025)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Cold deficiency patterns without heat-toxin or bleeding-heat signs
Cautions
- Fresh-herb use varies regionally and should not be normalized into high-dose unsupervised internal use.
- Evidence is stronger for constituent and preclinical anti-inflammatory activity than for modern standardized human trials.
Conditions
- Eczema Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Hemoptysis Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Hemorrhoids Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Pharyngitis Traditional ★☆☆☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Saxifrage Herb used for?
Saxifrage Herb is traditionally used to Clears heat and resolves toxicity ... Hu Er Cao is used for inflamed sores, throat irritation, and hot toxic surface conditions., Cools blood and stops bleeding ... regional practice includes hemoptysis and bleeding hemorrhoids when heat is part of the presentation., Has a meaningful external-use lane ... washes, poultices, or fresh-herb applications are common for eczema, boils, and irritated skin.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2017 study showed that bergenin, a key Hu Er Cao constituent, ameliorated experimental colitis through PPARγ and SIRT1-linked suppression of NF-κB-mediated macrophage activation (PMID 29375382).; A 2021 paper found that Saxifraga stolonifera inhibited Toll-like-receptor-2-mediated inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes, supporting the herb's traditional skin-inflammation lane (PMID 33819504)..
What are other names for Saxifrage Herb?
Saxifrage Herb is also known as Saxifraga stolonifera herb, Strawberry geranium herb, Stem and leaf of saxifrage. In TCM: 虎耳草 (Hu Er Cao); Herba Saxifragae.
Is Saxifrage Herb safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Saxifrage Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Saxifrage Herb?
Saxifrage Herb should not be used in: Cold deficiency patterns without heat-toxin or bleeding-heat signs. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.