Qiàn Cǎo Gēn (茜草根), known in English as Madder root (Rubia cordifolia), is a cold, bitter Chinese herb from the Stop bleeding category. It enters the Liver channel. Its main action: cools Blood, stops bleeding.
| Pinyin | Qiàn Cǎo Gēn (Qian Cao Gen) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 茜草根 |
| English | Madder root |
| Botanical name | Rubia cordifolia |
| Category | Stop bleeding |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Liver |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency without Heat; Cold deficiency patterns |
Actions
- Cools Blood, stops bleeding
- Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis
- Unblocks channels
Indications
- Heat-induced bleeding with or without stasis
- Amenorrhoea
- Trauma
- Bi syndrome
How to remember Qiàn Cǎo Gēn
Stop bleeding herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Bitter, Liver channel: like most Stop bleeding herbs
Formulas containing Qiàn Cǎo Gēn
Other Stop bleeding herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Qiàn Cǎo Gēn?
Qiàn Cǎo Gēn is cold and bitter.
Which channels does Qiàn Cǎo Gēn enter?
Qiàn Cǎo Gēn enters the Liver channel.
What are the actions of Qiàn Cǎo Gēn?
Cools Blood, stops bleeding; Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis; Unblocks channels.
What is Qiàn Cǎo Gēn used for?
Heat-induced bleeding with or without stasis; amenorrhoea; trauma; Bi syndrome.
Which formulas contain Qiàn Cǎo Gēn?
Shí Huī Sǎn.
Practise Qiàn Cǎo Gēn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.