Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Lian Qian Cao

Longtube Ground Ivy · 连钱草

Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. · Herba Glechomae

Also known as: Huo Xue Dan (活血丹, Ground Ivy), Jin Qian Cao (金钱草)

Lián Qián Cǎo, or Longtube Ground Ivy, is a traditional Chinese herb valued for its ability to flush out damp-heat from the urinary tract and gallbladder. It is commonly used to relieve painful urination, help pass small kidney stones, and clear jaundice. It also promotes healing of bruises and traumatic injuries by moving stagnant blood and reducing swelling.

Category Stranguria-relieving diuretic herbs (利尿通淋药) Heat-clearing herbs that resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药) Blood-invigorating and stasis-dispelling herbs (活血化瘀药)
Therapeutic focus Urinary health Kidney stones Detoxification Injury recovery

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Liver, Kidneys, Urinary Bladder

Parts used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Lian Qian Cao does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Lian Qian Cao is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Urinary health Kidney stones Detoxification Injury recovery

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Lian Qian Cao performs to restore balance in the body:

Drains Dampness and promotes urination Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity Dispels Blood Stasis and reduces swelling Relieves strangury Promotes tissue healing

How these actions work

Drains Dampness and promotes urination means Lián Qián Cǎo increases urine output and helps the body eliminate excess fluid and pathogenic Dampness. This action is especially useful for conditions like urinary tract infections, edema, and jaundice where dampness is trapped in the lower body.

Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity refers to its ability to reduce inflammation and fight infection, particularly in the urinary tract, liver, and skin. It is used for acute infections with redness, swelling, and heat sensation.

Dispels Blood Stasis and reduces swelling describes its action on traumatic injuries. By moving stagnant blood, it alleviates pain, reduces bruising, and speeds recovery from sprains, fractures, and contusions.

Relieves strangury is a specific term for easing painful, difficult urination—a hallmark of damp-heat in the bladder. Lián Qián Cǎo soothes the urinary tract and helps restore normal urine flow.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Lian Qian Cao is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Lian Qian Cao addresses this pattern

Lián Qián Cǎo enters the Bladder channel and its acrid, bitter, and slightly cool nature directly targets Damp-Heat lodged in the lower burner. It drains dampness and promotes urination, clearing the heat and expelling the turbid dampness that cause painful urination, urgency, and dark, scanty urine. Its ability to disperse stasis also helps when Damp-Heat leads to stone formation or blood in the urine.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dysuria

painful, burning urination with dark or turbid urine

Urinary Urgency

frequent, urgent need to urinate

Hematuria

blood in the urine from heat damaging blood vessels

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Lian Qian Cao is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Damp-Heat in the Bladder

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, acute urinary tract infections are seen as Damp-Heat invading the Bladder. Dampness causes turbidity and heaviness, while Heat produces burning sensations and urgency. The combination irritates the lower burner, leading to frequent, painful urination and sometimes blood in the urine if Heat damages blood vessels.

Why Lian Qian Cao Helps

Lián Qián Cǎo directly targets Damp-Heat in the Bladder. Its bitter, cool nature clears Heat and dries Dampness, while its acrid quality promotes urination to flush out the pathogens. It also has a mild blood-invigorating effect that helps when infection causes blood in the urine.

Also commonly used for

Gallstones

Drains damp-heat from the gallbladder to assist with stone dissolution and bile flow

Jaundice

Clears heat and dampness to lower bilirubin and reduce yellow discoloration

Skin Infection

Applied topically or taken internally to resolve toxic-heat abscesses and boils

Traumatic Injury

Disperses blood stasis and reduces swelling from sprains, bruises, and fractures

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Liver Kidneys Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Lian Qian Cao — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

15–30g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g per day in decoction under practitioner supervision. Exceeding this dose increases the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort and potential liver strain without additional therapeutic benefit.

Dosage notes

Use 15–30g for common indications such as damp-heat jaundice, urinary stones, or strangury. For acute stone pain or severe damp-heat, the higher end of the range may be used for a short period. Prolonged use, especially at the upper dose, can weaken the Spleen and Qi; it is advisable to combine with Spleen-strengthening herbs in longer regimens. For external use as a wash or poultice, a larger quantity may be boiled and applied directly — exact dosage is less critical but generally follows the same weight range.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Lian Qian Cao for enhanced therapeutic effect

Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi 1:1 (Lián Qián Cǎo 15g : Chē Qián Zǐ 15g)

Together they strongly promote urination and clear Damp-Heat from the bladder. Che Qian Zi's sweet, cold nature enhances the diuretic effect while Lián Qián Cǎo's acrid, bitter quality adds stasis-dispersing and heat-clearing action, making this pair ideal for acute strangury with painful, dark urine.

When to use: For Damp-Heat strangury with burning urination, urgency, and dark or bloody urine. Also useful for urinary tract infections and early-stage kidney stones.

Huang Bo
Huang Bo 1:1 (Lián Qián Cǎo 15g : Huáng Bò 10g)

Lián Qián Cǎo drains damp-heat downward via the urine, while Huáng Bò dries dampness and clears heat from the lower burner. Together they powerfully clear Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, making this pair effective for jaundice with dark urine and hypochondriac fullness.

When to use: For Damp-Heat jaundice (hepatitis, cholecystitis) with yellow skin, bitter taste, and dark urine.

Pu Gong Ying
Pu Gong Ying 1:1 (Lián Qián Cǎo 15g : Pú Gōng Yīng 15g)

Both herbs clear heat and resolve toxicity, but Lián Qián Cǎo adds blood-stasis-dispersing and swelling-reducing action, while Pú Gōng Yīng excels at dispersing abscesses. This pair is synergistic for treating localized toxic-heat swellings such as breast abscesses or skin boils.

When to use: For early-stage abscesses, carbuncles, and infected wounds with redness, swelling, and pain.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Ji Xue Cao
Lian Qian Cao vs Ji Xue Cao

Both clear heat, drain dampness, and reduce swelling. Lian Qian Cao is more focused on the urinary tract and blood stasis—it is preferred for strangury and traumatic injuries. Ji Xue Cao is more commonly used for skin ulcers, wound healing, and promoting tissue repair, with less emphasis on urination.

Hai Jin Sha
Lian Qian Cao vs Hai Jin Sha

Both treat strangury, but Hai Jin Sha is specifically indicated for stone strangury and has a stronger stone-expelling action. Lian Qian Cao is broader, clearing damp-heat and also invigorating blood for traumatic injuries. Choose Hai Jin Sha when stones are the primary concern; choose Lian Qian Cao when heat and stasis are more prominent.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Lian Qian Cao

Lian Qian Cao is frequently confused with Ji Xue Cao (积雪草, Centella asiatica), which has round stems, alternate leaves, and lacks the characteristic minty aroma. Another common adulterant is Guang Jin Qian Cao (广金钱草, Desmodium styracifolium), a legume with trifoliate leaves and no fragrance. True Jin Qian Cao (金钱草, Lysimachia christinae) also has round stems and yellow flowers, not bilabiate purple ones. The key distinguishing features of authentic Lian Qian Cao are its square stems, opposite kidney-shaped leaves with crenate margins, and strong aromatic odor when crushed. Microscopic examination reveals glandular scales and branched hairs — structures absent in the other species mentioned.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Lian Qian Cao

Non-toxic

Lian Qian Cao is considered non-toxic at standard therapeutic doses. However, adverse reactions have been reported, including allergic skin rashes (urticaria, morbilliform eruptions) and, rarely, elevated liver transaminases with prolonged use. These effects are idiosyncratic and not due to an inherent toxic component. The herb should be used with caution in individuals with known allergies to plants in the Lamiaceae family. Discontinue promptly if signs of liver injury (jaundice, dark urine, unexplained fatigue) or severe skin reactions occur. Prolonged high-dose administration may also injure the Spleen and Qi, leading to digestive weakness.

Contraindications

Situations where Lian Qian Cao should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy — Lian Qian Cao moves Blood and promotes diuresis, which may stimulate uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. Classically contraindicated in pregnancy.

Avoid

Yin-type abscesses (阴疽) and severe Blood deficiency — the herb's cooling, dispersing nature may aggravate these conditions.

Caution

Spleen-stomach deficiency cold with loose stools, poor appetite, or cold limbs. The herb is bitter-cold and can further damage digestive yang.

Caution

Breastfeeding — safety data is lacking; the herb may transfer into breast milk and affect the infant. Avoid unless directed by a qualified practitioner.

Caution

Known allergic reactions to Lian Qian Cao — cases of drug-induced dermatitis and urticaria have been reported.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated. Lian Qian Cao moves Blood and promotes diuresis; in traditional terms, it can disturb the fetus and cause uterine contractions. Animal safety studies are lacking, and the classical injunction against its use in pregnancy is unequivocal. Do not use during any trimester.

Breastfeeding

Safety during lactation has not been established. The herb's diuretic and blood-moving properties, along with a lack of controlled studies, mean transfer into breast milk cannot be excluded. Given the classical prohibition against use in pregnancy, many clinicians extend this caution to breastfeeding. Use only under strict professional guidance, and discontinue if any adverse effects appear in the nursing infant.

Children

Use with caution in children. Dosage should be reduced according to body weight, typically 5–15g per day for children aged 6–12, and only under professional supervision. Safety in infants and very young children has not been established. Avoid long-term use, as the cooling, diuretic nature may injure the developing Spleen and Stomach.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Lian Qian Cao

  • Diuretics (thiazides, loop diuretics): Lian Qian Cao's own diuretic action may compound fluid and electrolyte loss, increasing the risk of dehydration and hypokalemia.
  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): The herb's flavonoids and volatile oils exhibit mild antiplatelet activity in preclinical studies, potentially enhancing bleeding risk.
  • Hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., methotrexate, isoniazid): Due to rare reports of Lian Qian Cao–associated liver enzyme elevation, concurrent use with hepatotoxic medications warrants monitoring of liver function.
  • Lithium: The herb's diuretic effect may alter lithium clearance and serum levels.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Lian Qian Cao

Avoid excessive consumption of cold, raw, and greasy foods while taking Lian Qian Cao. These can further impair Spleen yang and counteract the herb's ability to drain dampness. For patients with existing Spleen deficiency, combine the herb with warming digestive support foods such as ginger or rice congee.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Lian Qian Cao source plant

Lian Qian Cao (Glechoma longituba) is a perennial, creeping herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It emits a distinct aromatic fragrance when crushed. The stems are square, slender, and often purplish, rooting at the nodes as they trail along the ground. Leaves are opposite, kidney-shaped to nearly heart-shaped, with rounded teeth along the margins; the upper surface is green and sparsely hairy, the lower surface often tinged purple. Small, two-lipped flowers, pale purple to violet, appear in clusters of one to three in the leaf axils from spring through early summer. The plant thrives in moist, shady environments such as riverbanks, forest edges, and woodland clearings, and is widely distributed across central, eastern, and southern China.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Lian Qian Cao is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Spring to autumn, when the aerial parts are in active growth and the volatile oil content is highest. The herb can be collected multiple times per season as it regrows from the creeping stems.

Primary growing regions

The authentic producing region (道地药材) is Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The herb also grows throughout central, eastern, and southern China, excluding the arid northwest and Inner Mongolia.

Quality indicators

Good quality Lian Qian Cao consists of mostly intact, leafy aerial parts. The stems should be thin, square, yellowish-green to purplish-red, and easily broken. Leaves are grey-green to brownish-green, kidney-shaped, and when crushed, emit a characteristic aromatic scent. Taste is slightly bitter and pungent. Avoid material that is extensively stemmy, blackened, moldy, or has lost its fragrance — this indicates age or improper storage.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Lian Qian Cao's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

The identity and naming of Lian Qian Cao have a complex history due to longstanding confusion with other herbs. In ancient texts such as the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the name “Ji Xue Cao” (积雪草) was used, but morphological descriptions were absent, leading to later ambiguity. By the time of Li Shizhen's Ben Cao Gang Mu (1590), an illustration labelled “Ji Xue Cao” appears to represent what we now call Glechoma longituba — the heart-shaped leaves and square stems are clearly visible. However, the same name was also applied to Centella asiatica, a completely different plant in the Apiaceae family. The confusion persisted for centuries.

The herb received its modern identity through the work of Zhao Xuemin (赵学敏), who in his Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (1765) formally described “Jin Qian Cao” (金钱草) and distinguished it from other plants with coin-shaped leaves. He documented its use for damp-heat jaundice, strangury, and traumatic injuries — uses that align precisely with today's practice. The alternative name “Huo Xue Dan” (活血丹) reflects its ability to quicken the Blood and disperse swelling, while “Lian Qian Cao” (连钱草, “connected-coin herb”) refers to the pairs of opposite leaves that resemble a string of coins. In the 20th century, pharmacopoeial standardization codified its identity as Glechoma longituba, ensuring it is no longer mistaken for Centella asiatica (Ji Xue Cao) or the legume Desmodium styracifolium (Guang Jin Qian Cao).