Abri Herba
Aliases：Huang Tou Cao (Yellow-Head Grass); Huang Zai Qiang; Da Huang Cao (Large Yellow Grass); Jia Niu Gan Zi; Hong Mu Ji Cao (Red Hen Grass); Zhu Yao Cao (Pig-Kidney Grass); Huang Shi Cao (Yellow Food Grass); Xiao Ye Long Lin Cao (Small-Leaf Dragon-Scale Grass).
Jigucao (Herba Abri) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis Hance (Guangdong Abrus), a plant in the family Fabaceae. It is an authenticated variety of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Terminology Standardization and Promotion Project, and is recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Materia Medica, Lingnan Herbal Medicine, and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes diuresis and resolves jaundice; clears Heat and removes toxin; soothes the Liver and relieves pain.
Indications
Damp-Heat jaundice; hypochondriac discomfort; epigastric distension and pain; acute mastitis with swelling and pain; acute and chronic hepatitis.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Herba Abri possesses the following pharmacological activities: Hepatoprotective and anti-hepatic fibrosis effects: This is the most central modern pharmacological direction for Herba Abri, and it is highly consistent with its traditional use of “draining Dampness, resolving jaundice, and treating hepatitis.” A systematic review published in 2024 noted that the hepatoprotective effect of Herba Abri is one of the principal pharmacological bases for its traditional use. Anti-inflammatory effect: Research suggests that abrine may be one of the main material bases for the treatment of chronic inflammation by Herba Abri. Antioxidant effect: The flavonoid constituents of Herba Abri possess definite antioxidant activity. Immunomodulatory and antitumor effects: Beyond traditional uses, modern research has further expanded the pharmacological potential of Herba Abri in immunomodulation and antitumor activity. Hypolipidemic effect: Amide and flavonoid constituents contribute significantly to hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering activities, with amide compounds showing relatively higher activity in evaluations. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from experimental studies on whole-plant extracts of Herba Abri and constituents such as abrine, flavonoids, and saponins. As a dual-purpose medicinal and edible herb, its pharmacological actions are relatively mild, and traditional indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
Herba Abri mainly contains the following active constituents: Alkaloids: abrine and hypaphorine. Flavonoids: vicenin-2, schaftoside, and other flavone C-glycosides. Saponins: abrus saponins and abrus sapogenols. Others: amino acids, sugars, glycyrrhetinic acid, and other constituents. Note: Content determination studies show that in samples from different production areas, the abrine content ranges from 23.02 to 67.24 μg·g⁻¹, and the schaftoside content ranges from 6.34 to 111.38 μg·g⁻¹, with marked differences among production areas.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 15–30 g. External use: Appropriate amount (rarely used externally in clinical practice).
Contraindications
The seeds are strictly prohibited for use. The seeds of Herba Abri contain a highly toxic protein and are extremely poisonous. Accidental ingestion may cause symptoms of poisoning such as a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. Before medicinal or dietary use, the pods must be thoroughly removed, and no seeds may be mixed in. Use with caution in debilitated individuals with a cold constitution. Herba Abri is cool in nature. Individuals with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, who often experience cold pain in the epigastrium or chronic diarrhea, should not use it in large doses or over a long period. Not suitable for prolonged continuous use. As a cool-natured herb, long-term use alone may impair Spleen-Stomach Yang Qi.
Selected Formulas
For damp-heat jaundice (empirical formula) Take Jigucao (Abri Herba) alone as a decoction; or combine with Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris) and Diercao (Hypericum japonicum) to enhance the effect of draining dampness and relieving jaundice. For hypochondriac discomfort and epigastric pain due to liver qi stagnation (empirical formula) Take Jigucao, often combined with Liangmianzhen (Zanthoxylum nitidum). Jigucao combined with Yinchen (empirical formula) Both herbs drain dampness, relieve jaundice, clear heat, and resolve toxicity. Jigucao also soothes the liver and relieves pain, while Yinchen is a key herb for relieving jaundice. Used together, they mutually reinforce each other and are suitable for damp-heat jaundice and hypochondriac discomfort. Jigucao combined with Baishao (empirical formula) Jigucao soothes the liver and resolves depression; Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) nourishes blood, astringes yin, softens the liver, and relieves pain. This combination is suitable for chest and hypochondriac pain, irritability, poor appetite, and slow digestion due to liver-stomach disharmony.
Daily Consumption
Herba Abri and Pig Pancreas Soup: Herba Abri 15–50 g, one pig pancreas, an appropriate amount of lean pork, 2–3 honey dates, and 3 slices of fresh ginger. Remove the tendons from the pig pancreas and wash it thoroughly. Place all ingredients in a clay pot, add water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1–1.5 hours. Season with salt. This soup is a classic Lingnan dietary formula. It clears the Liver, promotes gallbladder function, drains Dampness, and resolves jaundice. Herba Abri and Red Date Decoction: Herba Abri 60 g and 10 red dates. Wash the ingredients, place them in a clay pot, add 750 mL of water, and decoct until the volume is reduced to 250 mL. Take once daily for 1–3 consecutive months. Suitable for patients with hepatitis B who have marked Damp-Heat. Herba Abri Tea: Herba Abri 60 g. Add 1,000 mL of water and decoct until the volume is reduced to 500 mL. Drink as a tea substitute.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant (root, stem, and leaf).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place. Keep tightly sealed and protect from moisture. Inspect regularly for insect damage or mold, especially during humid seasons.
