About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
Agrimony herb is one of the most versatile bleeding-control herbs in Chinese medicine, effective for nosebleeds, coughing blood, heavy periods, and bleeding from the digestive tract. Beyond stopping bleeding, it has a well-known folk reputation as 'Fatigue-Relieving Grass,' used to restore energy and strength after overwork or prolonged illness. Its neutral temperature means it is safe and adaptable for many different body types.
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Astringes and Stops Bleeding
- Tonifies Deficiency and Strengthens the Body
- Stops Dysentery
- Checks Malaria
- Resolves Toxicity
- Expels Parasites
How These Actions Work*
'Astringes and stops bleeding' is Xian He Cao's primary action. Its astringent (涩 sè) taste gives it a natural contracting, tightening quality that helps stem the flow of blood. Because the herb's temperature is neutral (平 píng), it does not push toward either warmth or cold, making it remarkably versatile: it can be used for bleeding caused by Heat, Cold, excess, or deficiency anywhere in the body, including coughing blood, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, blood in the urine or stool, and abnormal uterine bleeding. For Heat-type bleeding it is paired with cooling Blood herbs; for Cold-type or deficiency bleeding it is paired with warming and Qi-tonifying herbs.
'Tonifies deficiency and strengthens the body' is why the folk name for this herb is 'Fatigue-Relieving Grass' (脱力草 tuō lì cǎo). Despite being classified as a hemostatic, Xian He Cao has a well-established ability to relieve deep exhaustion and restore physical strength, especially after overwork or prolonged illness. It is commonly paired with red dates (大枣 dà zǎo) and taken as a simple decoction for people who feel weak and fatigued yet still have a normal appetite. This dual nature of stopping bleeding while simultaneously supplementing the body's reserves makes it especially useful when bleeding has led to weakness.
'Stops dysentery' draws on the herb's astringent quality to firm up the intestines and check diarrhea. It is particularly suited for chronic or bloody dysentery, where both the astringent and the blood-stopping actions are needed simultaneously. 'Checks malaria' is a traditional indication: the powdered herb was taken before a malarial attack to interrupt the cycle of chills and fever. 'Resolves toxins and kills parasites' refers to the herb's use for skin sores, boils, and vaginal itching caused by Trichomonas, where it can be applied both internally and as a topical wash.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Xian He Cao is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why Xian He Cao addresses this pattern
When Heat invades the Blood level, it drives blood out of the vessels, causing various bleeding symptoms such as nosebleeds, vomiting blood, or heavy menstrual flow. Xian He Cao's astringent nature directly counteracts the reckless movement of blood by drawing it back into the vessels and promoting hemostasis. Although Xian He Cao itself is neutral and does not cool Heat, its broad-spectrum hemostatic action makes it an essential supporting herb in Blood Heat bleeding. Practitioners pair it with cooling Blood herbs like Sheng Di Huang or Ce Bai Ye to address the Heat root while Xian He Cao handles the bleeding itself.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Recurrent or profuse nosebleeds
Vomiting blood or coughing blood with bright red colour
Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
Blood in stool, especially bright red
Why Xian He Cao addresses this pattern
When the Spleen Qi is deficient, it fails to 'hold' the blood within the vessels (a function called 'governing the blood' in TCM). This leads to chronic, low-grade bleeding such as heavy periods, prolonged spotting, or easy bruising, often accompanied by fatigue, a pale complexion, and poor muscle tone. Xian He Cao addresses this pattern on two fronts: its astringent quality directly stops the leaking of blood, while its tonifying action helps restore the body's overall strength and Qi. It is commonly paired with Qi-tonifying herbs like Dang Shen and Da Zao in this context. Its folk name 'Fatigue-Relieving Grass' directly reflects this Spleen-supplementing ability.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Deep fatigue, especially from overwork
Sallow or pale face
Easy bruising or chronic low-grade bleeding
Chronic loose stools or diarrhea
Why Xian He Cao addresses this pattern
When Damp-Heat lodges in the Large Intestine, it disrupts normal bowel function and damages the intestinal lining, producing bloody dysentery with mucus, abdominal cramping, and urgency. Xian He Cao's bitter taste helps dry Dampness and its astringent quality firms up the intestines and stops bleeding within the bowel wall. Its neutral temperature means it will not worsen the Heat, while its hemostatic action directly addresses the blood and pus in the stool. It is typically used alongside stronger Heat-clearing herbs like Huang Lian or Bai Tou Weng when treating acute dysentery.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Bloody dysentery with mucus in stool
Cramping abdominal pain with urgency
Chronic diarrhea that does not resolve
TCM Properties*
Neutral
Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)
Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.