Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Jin Qian Cao

Gold Coin Grass · 金钱草

Lysimachia christinae Hance · Herba Lysimachiae

Also known as: Asian Moneywort, Guo Lu Huang (过路黄)

Jin Qian Cao (Gold Coin Grass) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Jīn Qián Cǎo, or Gold Coin Grass, is one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese medicine for supporting kidney, bladder, and gallbladder health. It is especially valued for helping the body pass kidney and gallbladder stones, and is also used for urinary tract discomfort, jaundice, and related conditions involving dampness and heat in the body.

Category Dampness-draining herbs (利水渗湿药) Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness (清热燥湿药)
Therapeutic focus Kidney and Bladder Health Liver and Gallbladder Health Liver Health Detoxification

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Salty (咸 xián), Bland (淡 dàn)

Channels entered

Liver, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Urinary Bladder

Parts used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Jin Qian Cao does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Jin Qian Cao is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Kidney and Bladder Health Liver and Gallbladder Health Liver Health Detoxification

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Jin Qian Cao performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Damp-Heat and Resolves Jaundice Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria Expels Urinary Stones Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity Reduces swelling

How these actions work

'Clears damp-heat and relieves jaundice' means Jīn Qián Cǎo drains the combination of dampness and heat that can accumulate in the Liver and Gallbladder, causing yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and a feeling of heaviness. Its sweet and salty flavours help draw dampness out through the urine, while its cool nature clears the heat component. This is why it is a go-to herb whenever jaundice appears alongside signs of internal heat and dampness.

'Promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction' refers to the herb's ability to increase urine output and ease the burning, stinging pain of urinary tract conditions that TCM calls 'lín syndrome.' It is especially valued for stone-type lín (shí lín), where gravel or stones cause sharp pain during urination. The herb works by flushing the urinary tract while simultaneously cooling the inflammatory heat that often accompanies these conditions.

'Expels stones' is arguably the most famous action of Jīn Qián Cǎo. Its salty taste is understood in TCM to soften hardness, which applies directly to the hardened mineral deposits of kidney, bladder, and gallbladder stones. The herb is used in large doses (often 30 to 60 grams) to both dissolve and flush out stones from the biliary and urinary systems. Modern research has shown it can inhibit the crystallization of calcium oxalate, a major component of kidney stones.

'Clears heat and resolves toxins' means this herb can address hot, inflamed conditions such as boils, abscesses, and even snakebites. The fresh herb can be juiced and taken internally or mashed and applied directly to the affected area. This action reflects its cool nature working to counteract the heat and poison driving these conditions.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Jin Qian Cao is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Jin Qian Cao addresses this pattern

When damp-heat lodges in the Liver and Gallbladder, it obstructs the normal flow of bile, leading to jaundice, rib-side pain, bitter taste, and dark urine. Jīn Qián Cǎo enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels directly and its cool nature clears the heat while its sweet and bland flavours promote the drainage of dampness downward through the urine. Its salty taste softens any hardened accumulations (such as gallstones) that often develop when damp-heat stagnates in the biliary system over time. This makes it uniquely suited to address both the root cause (damp-heat) and its common complication (stones) in this pattern.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Jaundice

Yellow skin and eyes from bile obstruction

Hypochondriac Pain

Distending pain below the ribs on the right side

Dark Urine

Scanty, dark yellow urine

Bitter Taste In The Mouth

Bitter taste, especially in the morning

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Jin Qian Cao is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Damp-Heat in the Bladder

TCM Interpretation

TCM views kidney and urinary stones as a consequence of prolonged damp-heat accumulating in the lower burner (the Kidney and Bladder region). When dampness and heat combine and remain unresolved, they gradually 'cook down' and solidify, much like mineral deposits forming in a hot spring. Contributing factors include excessive rich or greasy food (which generates internal dampness and heat), insufficient water intake, and emotional stress that obstructs the smooth flow of Qi. The Kidney and Bladder's fluid-processing functions become impaired, leading to concentrated, turbid urine in which stones crystallize.

Why Jin Qian Cao Helps

Jīn Qián Cǎo addresses kidney stones on multiple levels. Its bland and sweet flavours powerfully promote urination, increasing the volume and flow of urine to help flush small stones and gravel out of the urinary tract. Its salty taste is understood to soften hardness, working directly against the hard mineral deposits. Its cool nature clears the heat component that drives stone formation, and modern pharmacological research has confirmed that its polysaccharide components can inhibit the crystallization of calcium oxalate, the most common constituent of kidney stones. It is typically used in large doses (30 to 60g) and frequently combined with Hǎi Jīn Shā and Jī Nèi Jīn to strengthen the stone-expelling and dissolving effects.

Also commonly used for

Urinary Tract Infection

When presenting with damp-heat signs like burning, urgency, dark urine

Cholecystitis

Acute and chronic gallbladder inflammation

Hepatitis

Acute icteric hepatitis with damp-heat presentation

Bladder Worms
Gout

Used to promote uric acid excretion through its diuretic action

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Salty (咸 xián), Bland (淡 dàn)

Channels Entered

Liver Gallbladder Kidneys Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Jin Qian Cao — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

15–60g

Maximum dosage

Up to 60g of dried herb (120g fresh) in acute stone conditions, taken as a strong decoction. Some eminent practitioners have used doses of 60g or more for actively expelling gallstones or kidney stones, but this should only be done under professional supervision and for limited duration to avoid cold-damage to the Spleen and Stomach.

Dosage notes

For general dampness-heat conditions (jaundice, urinary tract infections), standard doses of 15–30g are appropriate. For active stone expulsion (gallstones, kidney stones, ureteral stones), higher doses of 30–60g are commonly used, and the herb can be decocted alone as a concentrated tea. Fresh herb is used at double the dried dose when available, and the fresh juice can be applied topically for sores, burns, or snakebite. Because of its cold nature, patients with weak digestion should combine it with warming herbs such as dried ginger to offset the cooling effect when using it for prolonged periods.

Preparation

No special decoction handling is required. The dried herb is cut into segments and decocted normally. For stone-expelling purposes, it is often decocted alone in a large volume of water and drunk as a tea throughout the day. Fresh herb, when available, can be crushed to extract juice for both internal and external use.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Jin Qian Cao for enhanced therapeutic effect

Hai Jin Sha
Hai Jin Sha Jīn Qián Cǎo 30g : Hǎi Jīn Shā 15g

Jīn Qián Cǎo and Hǎi Jīn Shā are a classic stone-treating pair. Both promote urination and unblock painful urinary dysfunction, but they work through different channels and mechanisms. Jīn Qián Cǎo excels at softening stones (through its salty taste) and clears damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, while Hǎi Jīn Shā enters the Small Intestine and Bladder channels, focusing on relieving urinary pain and also cooling the Blood to address bloody urine. Together they provide broader and stronger stone-expelling and pain-relieving effects than either herb alone.

When to use: Urinary tract stones (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones) with painful, difficult urination, especially when accompanied by blood in the urine or gravel.

Ji Nei Jin
Ji Nei Jin Jīn Qián Cǎo 30g : Jī Nèi Jīn 10–15g

Jīn Qián Cǎo softens and flushes stones through its salty, diuretic properties, while Jī Nèi Jīn (chicken gizzard lining) is traditionally understood to dissolve hard accumulations and digest stony matter from within. Together they form a potent stone-dissolving and stone-expelling combination that addresses stones from two complementary angles: external flushing and internal dissolution.

When to use: Both biliary and urinary stones. Particularly useful when stones are already formed and need both softening and mechanical expulsion. Often used as the core of 'three gold' or 'four gold' formulas.

Yin Chen
Yin Chen Jīn Qián Cǎo 30g : Yīn Chén Hāo 15–30g

Both herbs clear damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and relieve jaundice, but through complementary mechanisms. Yīn Chén Hāo (Artemisia scoparia) is bitter and aromatic, excelling at breaking up turbid dampness and reducing jaundice. Jīn Qián Cǎo adds the ability to soften and expel stones, and provides stronger diuretic action. Together they produce a much more powerful jaundice-clearing and bile-promoting effect than either alone.

When to use: Damp-heat jaundice from hepatitis, cholecystitis, or biliary obstruction. Also gallstone disease complicated by jaundice.

Yu Jin
Yu Jin Jīn Qián Cǎo 30g : Yù Jīn 10–12g

Yù Jīn (Turmeric tuber) moves Qi and invigorates Blood in the Liver and Gallbladder, while also promoting bile flow. Combined with Jīn Qián Cǎo's stone-softening and damp-heat clearing actions, this pair addresses gallstones from both the Qi-movement side (Yù Jīn unblocks stagnation driving stone formation) and the damp-heat side (Jīn Qián Cǎo clears the pathogenic environment and expels stones).

When to use: Gallstone disease with rib-side pain and distension. Also used for cholecystitis and biliary stasis with stones.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Jin Qian Cao in a prominent role

San Jin Pai Shi Tang 三金排石汤 King

The Gallbladder Duct Stone-Expelling Decoction uses Jīn Qián Cǎo at a large dose (30 to 50g) as King alongside Yīn Chén to clear damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and expel gallstones. This formula demonstrates the herb's primary role in treating biliary stones combined with its jaundice-clearing function.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Hai Jin Sha
Jin Qian Cao vs Hai Jin Sha

Both herbs promote urination and help expel urinary stones. However, Jīn Qián Cǎo has a broader scope: it also clears damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, relieves jaundice, and expels gallstones, making it the preferred choice when stones or damp-heat involve the biliary system. Hǎi Jīn Shā focuses more narrowly on the urinary tract and is stronger for relieving urinary pain, and it can also cool Blood to treat bloody urine. For purely urinary stones with significant pain and bleeding, Hǎi Jīn Shā may be more targeted; for gallstones or combined biliary/urinary pathology, Jīn Qián Cǎo is the better choice.

Yin Chen
Jin Qian Cao vs Yin Chen

Both clear damp-heat and relieve jaundice. Yīn Chén Hāo is the supreme jaundice herb, bitter and aromatic, excelling at breaking up turbid dampness and more potent for reducing yellowing of the skin. Jīn Qián Cǎo is the superior stone-expelling herb, with its salty taste softening hardness and its bland taste promoting stronger diuresis. For jaundice without stones, Yīn Chén Hāo is the lead herb; for biliary or urinary stones with or without jaundice, Jīn Qián Cǎo takes the lead. They are frequently used together.

Qian Cao
Jin Qian Cao vs Qian Cao

Guǎng Jīn Qián Cǎo (Desmodium styracifolium) is a completely different plant from a different botanical family (Fabaceae vs. Primulaceae), though the names are confusingly similar. Both clear heat, promote urination, and expel stones. However, Jīn Qián Cǎo (Lysimachia) is preferred for gallstones, jaundice, and hepatobiliary conditions, while Guǎng Jīn Qián Cǎo is traditionally favoured for urinary tract stones, particularly in Guangdong and Guangxi regions. They should not be used interchangeably.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Jin Qian Cao

Jin Qian Cao has one of the most confusing identity situations in the Chinese materia medica, with at least five or six different plant species used regionally under the same name. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) specifies Lysimachia christinae Hance (Primulaceae) as the official source. Common substitutes and adulterants include: 1. Guang Jin Qian Cao (广金钱草, Desmodium styracifolium, Fabaceae): Used in Guangdong and Guangxi. Has round leaves but they are alternate (not opposite), with white tomentose hairs on the underside. A separate Pharmacopoeia entry; different chemical profile. 2. Lian Qian Cao / Huo Xue Dan (连钱草/活血丹, Glechoma longituba, Lamiaceae): Used in Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Anhui. Distinguished by square stems, kidney-shaped leaves with crenate (scalloped) margins, aromatic smell when rubbed, and slightly bitter taste. 3. Ji Xue Cao (积雪草, Centella asiatica, Apiaceae): Occasionally mistaken for Jin Qian Cao in some regions. Entirely different plant family. 4. Ju Hua Guo Lu Huang (聚花过路黄, Lysimachia congestiflora) and Dian Xian Guo Lu Huang (点腺过路黄, Lysimachia hemsleyana): Same genus but different species with different chemistry, previously confused in Sichuan and other provinces. Authentic Jin Qian Cao can be distinguished by its opposite, heart-shaped, entire-margined leaves with characteristic black or dark-brown glandular streaks visible when soaked and held to light, solid stems, and very mild (nearly tasteless) flavor.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Jin Qian Cao

Non-toxic

Jin Qian Cao is classified as non-toxic. Animal toxicity studies found that a single oral dose of the aqueous extract at 50g raw material per kg body weight in mice produced no deaths, no organ damage, and no changes in blood biochemistry or histomorphology. Clinical reports have noted occasional contact dermatitis from external use of the fresh herb, but oral use at standard doses has no known toxic effects. No toxic components have been identified in the herb.

Contraindications

Situations where Jin Qian Cao should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (脾胃虚寒): Jin Qian Cao is cold in nature and strongly drains dampness. Prolonged or large-dose use in people with a cold, weak digestive system can further damage Spleen Yang, worsening loose stools, poor appetite, and abdominal coldness.

Caution

Kidney Yang deficiency: The cold, draining nature of this herb is inappropriate for patterns of internal cold with clear, copious urination, cold limbs, and low back soreness due to Kidney Yang insufficiency.

Caution

Contact dermatitis risk: Clinical reports document that external application of fresh Jin Qian Cao (as a wash or poultice) has caused contact dermatitis and allergic reactions in some individuals. People with sensitive skin should exercise caution with topical use.

Caution

Yin deficiency without dampness-heat: As a cold, dampness-draining herb, it is unsuitable when Yin deficiency is the primary pattern without accompanying dampness-heat, as it may further deplete fluids.

Caution

Pregnancy: Classical sources advise caution in pregnant women due to the herb's cold nature and strong downward-draining action, which could potentially disturb the fetus.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Jin Qian Cao's cold nature and strong downward-draining, dampness-clearing properties may potentially disturb fetal stability. Classical sources list pregnancy as a caution. There are no specific studies on teratogenicity, but the herb's potent diuretic and stone-expelling actions involve significant movement of fluids and downward-directing force that are generally avoided during pregnancy without clear clinical necessity.

Breastfeeding

No specific studies exist on the safety of Jin Qian Cao during breastfeeding. The herb is classified as non-toxic and has no known components that raise specific concerns about transfer through breast milk. However, its cold nature and strong dampness-draining properties could theoretically affect the mother's digestive function and milk production if used in large doses over an extended period. Short-term use at standard doses under practitioner guidance is generally considered acceptable, but caution is warranted.

Children

Jin Qian Cao has been used in pediatric folk medicine for conditions like childhood malnutrition (gan ji, 疳积), typically at reduced doses around 9g decocted with animal liver. As a non-toxic herb, it is generally considered safe for children at age-appropriate doses (roughly one-third to one-half of adult doses for older children). However, due to its cold nature, prolonged use in children with weak digestion should be avoided. A practitioner should supervise use in children.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Jin Qian Cao

Anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications: Pharmacological studies show that Jin Qian Cao has mild blood platelet aggregation-inhibiting and vascular smooth muscle-relaxing properties. While not strongly blood-moving, concurrent use with anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) or antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel) should be monitored, as there may be an additive effect on bleeding risk.

Immunosuppressant medications: Animal studies have shown that Jin Qian Cao has immunosuppressive effects on both cellular and humoral immunity, comparable in some measures to cyclophosphamide, and the two agents together produced enhanced suppression. Patients on immunosuppressive therapy should inform their prescriber if using this herb.

Diuretic medications: As a potent herbal diuretic, combining Jin Qian Cao with pharmaceutical diuretics may produce additive fluid and electrolyte loss. Potassium levels and hydration should be monitored in such cases.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Jin Qian Cao

While taking Jin Qian Cao for stone conditions, it is advisable to drink plenty of water to support the herb's diuretic and stone-flushing actions. Avoid excessive consumption of greasy, rich foods and high-cholesterol foods, as these contribute to stone formation. For those with weak digestion using this cold-natured herb, avoid cold and raw foods to protect Spleen function. Classical sources on topical use for burns note to avoid beans, loofah, eggs, and fish during treatment.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Jin Qian Cao source plant

Lysimachia christinae Hance (family Primulaceae) is a perennial creeping herb native to East Asia. The stems are soft, slender, and prostrate, spreading along the ground and rooting at the nodes. They are typically gray-green to reddish-purple in colour. The leaves are opposite, ovate to broadly heart-shaped (1.5–8 cm long, 1–6 cm wide), with entire margins and petioles roughly as long as the leaf blade. Both leaves and calyx are characteristically dotted with black or dark-brown glandular spots and streaks, which are visible when held up to light after soaking in water.

Small, bright yellow flowers with five petals appear singly from the leaf axils during summer. Fruits are small globular capsules. The whole plant is glabrous or sparsely pubescent. It grows naturally in moist, shaded habitats such as stream banks, ditch edges, roadsides, and forest margins across southern and central China, forming dense mats of foliage. The entire above-ground herb (dried whole plant) is used medicinally.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Jin Qian Cao is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer and autumn. In the first year of cultivation, harvest occurs in September to October. In subsequent years, two harvests are possible: the first in June and the second in September.

Primary growing regions

The recognized dao di (道地) production region is Sichuan province, where it is known as "Sichuan Da Jin Qian Cao" (四川大金钱草). It is broadly distributed across the Yangtze River basin and southern China, including Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi. Sichuan-origin material (especially from areas like Bazhong) is traditionally considered the standard and highest quality source. The plant grows wild in moist, shaded habitats at low to moderate elevations.

Quality indicators

Good quality dried Jin Qian Cao (Herba Lysimachiae) comes as tangled masses of whole plant material. Stems should be brownish to dark brownish-red with visible longitudinal striations, and the cross-section should be solid (not hollow). Leaves, when flattened, should be broadly ovate or heart-shaped, gray-green to brownish-green on the upper surface and lighter below, with the main vein prominently raised. A key authenticity test: when soaked in water and held up to light, genuine Jin Qian Cao leaves show characteristic black or dark-brown streaks and dots (glandular secretory canals). Some pieces may bear yellow flowers on long stalks. The aroma should be faint and the taste mild and bland. Avoid material that is overly dark, moldy, has hollow stems, or lacks the diagnostic translucent dark streaks on the leaves.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Jin Qian Cao and its therapeutic uses

《本草纲目拾遗》 (Bĕn Cǎo Gāng Mù Shí Yí) by Zhao Xuemin

Original: 去风散毒。煎汤洗一切疮疥。

Translation: Dispels wind and disperses toxins. Decoct in water and wash all sores and scabies.

《百草镜》 (Bǎi Cǎo Jìng)

Original: 治跌打损伤，疟疾，产后惊风，肚痈，便毒，痔漏；擦鹅掌风；汁漱牙疼。

Translation: Treats traumatic injuries, malaria, postpartum convulsions, abdominal abscesses, toxic swellings, hemorrhoids and fistulae; rub on tinea of the hands; gargle the juice for toothache.

《本草求原》 (Bĕn Cǎo Qiú Yuán)

Original: 祛风湿，止骨痛。浸酒舒筋活络，止跌打闪伤（痛），取汁调酒更效。

Translation: Dispels wind-dampness and stops bone pain. Soaked in wine it relaxes sinews and invigorates the network vessels, stopping traumatic injury pain. Mixing the juice with wine is even more effective.

《安徽药材》 (Ānhuī Yào Cái)

Original: 治膀胱结石。

Translation: Treats bladder stones.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Jin Qian Cao's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Jin Qian Cao (金钱草, "Gold Coin Grass") is a relatively recent entry in the Chinese materia medica compared to classical-era herbs. It was first documented in the Qing dynasty text Bǎi Cǎo Jìng (《百草镜》) under the name "Shén Xiān Duì Zuò Cǎo" (神仙对坐草, "Immortals Sitting Face to Face Herb"), describing its paired leaves. Zhao Xuemin's 1765 Bĕn Cǎo Gāng Mù Shí Yí (《本草纲目拾遗》) further recorded it, noting it as a creeping vine with round leaves and small yellow flowers appearing in pairs at each node. The Zhí Wù Míng Shí Tú Kǎo (《植物名实图考》) later described it under the name "Guò Lù Huáng" (过路黄), matching the modern botanical identification.

The name "Jin Qian Cao" (Gold Coin Grass) derives from its round, coin-shaped leaves. A famous folk legend tells of a wife who kept her deceased husband's gallstone in a silk pouch around her neck. While gathering herbs on a hillside, she noticed the stone had shrunk from contact with the plants. A doctor investigated and eventually identified the stone-dissolving herb, naming it "Gold Coin Grass" because its power was said to be more precious than gold coins. Several eminent modern TCM physicians, including national-level masters Deng Tietao, Zhu Liangchun, Li Zhenhua, and Guo Chengjie, have used Jin Qian Cao prominently in their stone-treating formulas, typically at doses of around 30g or higher.

Modern Research

5 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Jin Qian Cao

1

Lysimachia christinae Hance regresses preestablished cholesterol gallstone in mice (Preclinical study, 2015)

Deng J, Ren ML, Dai XQ, Qu DH, Yang MX, Zhang T, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015, 166: 102-108.

This mouse study found that an aqueous extract of Jin Qian Cao almost completely eliminated pre-existing cholesterol gallstones after 2 weeks at high dose or 4 weeks at low dose. The extract promoted bile secretion and lowered cholesterol in bile and serum. Single-dose toxicity testing at 50g/kg showed no adverse effects, supporting its traditional use and safety profile.

PubMed
2

Aqueous extract of Lysimachia christinae Hance prevents cholesterol gallstone in mice by affecting the intestinal microflora (Preclinical study, 2021)

Liu XM, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, Article ID 3584363.

This study showed that Jin Qian Cao aqueous extract greatly reduced cholesterol gallstone formation in mice fed a stone-inducing diet over 8 weeks. It also reduced weight gain and improved blood lipid profiles. Importantly, the extract reversed harmful changes in gut bacteria composition caused by the high-fat diet, suggesting that modulation of intestinal microflora may be one mechanism underlying its anti-gallstone effect.

PubMed
3

A Network Pharmacology Study on the Mechanisms of Christina Loosestrife for Treatment of Nephrolithiasis (Network pharmacology study, 2020)

Wang Z, Li X, Chen H, et al. Medical Science Monitor, 2020, 26: e920747.

Using computational pharmacology methods, researchers identified 16 active compounds in Jin Qian Cao and 11 kidney stone-related molecular targets. The analysis showed that flavonoids and their glycosides are the key active constituents, working through purine metabolism, IL-4/IL-13 signaling, and neutrophil degranulation pathways to exert therapeutic effects on kidney stones.

PubMed
4

Protective effects of total flavonoids from Lysimachia christinae on calcium oxalate-induced oxidative stress (Preclinical study, 2021)

Lin T, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021.

This study demonstrated that the total flavonoid extract from Jin Qian Cao reduced calcium and oxalic acid concentrations in urine, inhibiting calcium oxalate stone formation. It protected kidney cells from oxidative damage caused by calcium oxalate crystals through activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway, providing a molecular mechanism for its traditional use in urinary stone disease.

PubMed
5

Water extract of Lysimachia christinae inhibits trabecular bone loss and fat accumulation in ovariectomized mice (Preclinical study, 2020)

Shim KS, et al. Nutrients, 2020, 12(7): 2019.

Beyond its traditional indications, this study found that Jin Qian Cao water extract inhibited osteoclast differentiation and reduced bone loss in an ovariectomy mouse model of osteoporosis. It also reduced fat accumulation in liver and bone tissues, suggesting potential applications in postmenopausal bone health that extend beyond its classical uses.

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.