Lao Guan Cao老鹳草
Erodii/Geranii Herba · Cranesbill Herb · Heron's Bill Herb
Overview
The whole above-ground plant of Erodium or Geranium species, gathered when the fruit has formed — the long beaked capsule is what gives the herb both its Chinese and its English name. Acrid, bitter and neutral, it dispels wind-damp and opens the channels for aching, stiff, numb limbs, and it has a second and less familiar use: it checks damp-heat diarrhoea and dysentery. Being neutral in temperature, it sits comfortably in formulas for chronic joint pain that have to be taken over a long period.
Nature & Flavor
Acrid, bitter · NeutralChannels
Liver · Kidney · SpleenTypical Dosage
9–15 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Dispels wind-damp, unblocks the channelsChronic wind-damp painful obstruction: aching joints, stiff or numb limbs, cramping sinews, low back and knee pain.
- Checks diarrhoea and dysenteryDamp-heat diarrhoea and dysenteric disorders with abdominal pain and urgency.
- Clears heat and resolves toxicity for soresUsed externally as a wash for sores, weeping eczema and damp skin lesions.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Lao Guan Cao
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Chronic joint pain, stiffness and numbness from wind-damp
- Cramping and contracture of the sinews
- Damp-heat diarrhoea and dysentery
- Sores and weeping skin lesions, as an external wash
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Mild and neutral, with no significant toxicity reported at customary doses, but astringent enough that it is the wrong choice for diarrhoea caused by food stagnation that still needs to be cleared out. Acute diarrhoea with fever, blood in the stool, or signs of dehydration needs medical assessment rather than herbs alone — that is especially true for young children and older adults. External washes are for intact skin.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Dian Nan Ben Cao《滇南本草》(classical source, public domain).
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.