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Qian Cao茜草

Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma · Madder Root

Herbs that Stop Bleeding 止血药《神农本草经》

Overview

The red root of madder, long used as a dye as well as a medicine. Bitter and cold, entering the Liver, it cools blood that is running hot enough to spill, and at the same time keeps that blood moving — so it stops bleeding without leaving a clot behind. Used raw it leans toward moving and opening the channels; charred it leans toward holding.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Liver

Typical Dosage

10–15 g in decoction
茜草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Cools the blood, stops bleedingBleeding with heat signs — coughed or vomited blood, nosebleed, blood in the stool, and uterine bleeding; the charred root is chosen when bleeding is the whole picture.
  • Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, opens the channelsAmenorrhea and painful periods from stasis, traumatic injury with bruising, and joint pain where old stasis blocks the channels.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Qian Cao

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Bleeding from blood heat, including uterine bleeding
    - Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea from blood stasis
    - Bruising and pain after traumatic injury
    - Joint pain with long-standing stasis in the channels

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Abnormal uterine bleedingAmenorrheaContusionEpistaxis

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and blood-moving: not suited to Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, nor to bleeding that carries neither heat nor stasis. Not toxic; the root may temporarily tint the urine reddish, which is harmless.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — it moves blood and opens the channels, so it is generally avoided unless a practitioner judges otherwise

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(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.