Herba Desmodii Gangetici
Aliases：Nianrencao (Sticky Grass); Niancao (Sticky Herb); Nianbobo; Xiao Baijiecai; Zimahuang (Seed Leech); Hongmaojicao (Red-Hair Chicken Grass).
Hongmujicao (Hook-Hair Tickclover) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the whole plant of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., a plant in the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). It grows in hillside grasslands. It is an authenticated variety of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Terminology Standardization and Promotion Project. It is recorded in Chinese Materia Medica (Zhonghua Bencao), National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Quanguo Zhongcaoyao Huibian), Taiwan Medicinal Plant Flora, Nanning Materia Medica (Nanning Shi Yaowu Zhi), and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels Blood stasis and regulates menstruation; removes toxin; relieves pain.
Indications
Indications: traumatic injuries, uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, amenorrhea, Niupixuan (traditional term; may correspond to psoriasis or neurodermatitis), toothache, and headache.
Modern Pharmacology
Diuretic effect: A 10% leaf infusion produced a diuretic effect in rabbits, while the ash fraction was ineffective. This is the most clearly documented pharmacological activity in the available literature. Antioxidant effect: The ethanol extract of Hongmujicao showed a hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of 78.4%, a superoxide anion radical scavenging rate of 74.2%, and a lipid peroxidation inhibition rate of 71.6%. Its antioxidant activity is mainly related to the flavonoid constituents (pyranoglucosyl flavonoids and galactosyl flavonoids). Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic effects: The main active constituents of plants in the genus Desmodium are flavonoids, alkaloids, and acids. They possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, and vasodilatory effects, and are commonly used to treat urinary tract infections, calculi, cholecystitis, headache, abdominal pain, thrombosis, and other diseases. These activities are consistent with the traditional effects of Hongmujicao in removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation, resolving toxicity, and relieving pain. Immune-enhancing effect: Related studies suggest that Hongmujicao has the potential for immune enhancement, but the specific mechanisms and active constituents remain to be further investigated. Note: The above pharmacological studies are mostly derived from preliminary research on the ethanol extract of Hongmujicao and plants of the same genus. Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on Hongmujicao is still ongoing. Its use should be primarily based on traditional effects and indications.
Ingredients
Alkaloids (stems, leaves, and roots): N,N-dimethyltryptamine and its N-oxide; 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine and its N-oxide; Nb-methyltetrahydroharman; 6-methoxy-2-methyl-β-carbolinium cation; hypaphorine; hordenine; candicine; N-methyltyramine; β-phenylethylamine. Flavonoids: pyranoglucosyl flavonoids; galactosyl flavonoids. Characteristic constituents: gangetin; gangetinin; desmodin. Sterols: 24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol; 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol; 24-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol. Note: The chemical constituents of Hongmujicao have been relatively thoroughly studied. Indole alkaloids are present in the stems, leaves, and roots, and flavonoids serve as the main material basis for its antioxidant activity.
Usage & Dosage
Oral administration: Decoct in water, 9–15g. External use: Appropriate amount; crush and apply, or prepare as an ointment for topical application.
Contraindications
Pregnant women should avoid use to prevent uterine contraction. Those with spleen-stomach deficiency cold should not use large doses over a long period, to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. Individuals with an allergic constitution should perform a small-area test before first use. Medicinal use should be dose-controlled; continuous use should not exceed two weeks.
Selected Formulas
For diarrhea and as a sedative for irritability in children (Taiwan Medicinal Plant Records) Decoct the root and take orally. For toothache (Taiwan Medicinal Plant Records) Apply the root to the gums. For headache (Taiwan Medicinal Plant Records) Apply the leaves to the forehead.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant.
Selection & Storage
After sun-drying, store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Fresh material should be used promptly or refrigerated for short-term storage.
