Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Qu Mai

Fringed pink herb · 瞿麦

Dianthus superbus L. · Herba Dianthi

Also known as: Dianthus chinensis L. (石竹, alternative species), Jù Jù Mài (巨句麦), Shān Qú Mài (山瞿麦),

Qu Mai (Fringed pink herb) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Qú Mài (fringed pink herb) is a cooling herb primarily used for urinary tract problems, including painful or difficult urination, urinary infections, and urinary stones. It works by clearing Heat and promoting urine flow. It also has a secondary ability to promote menstruation by moving stagnant Blood, but should be strictly avoided during pregnancy.

Category Dampness-draining herbs (利水渗湿药) Stranguria-relieving diuretic herbs (利尿通淋药)
Therapeutic focus Urinary Health Bladder Health Menstrual Health Kidney Stone Support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Heart, Small Intestine, 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 Qu Mai does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Qu Mai is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Urinary Health Bladder Health Menstrual Health Kidney Stone Support

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Qu Mai performs to restore balance in the body:

Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria Clears Heat from the Heart and Small Intestine Invigorates Blood and Regulates Menstruation Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner

How these actions work

'Promotes urination and relieves stranguria' is the primary action of Qú Mài. Stranguria (lin syndrome) refers to painful, difficult, or dribbling urination, often with a burning sensation. Qú Mài's bitter and cold nature allows it to descend and drain, directing Heat downward and out through the urine. This makes it particularly effective for what TCM calls 'hot stranguria' (painful urination caused by Heat in the Bladder), 'blood stranguria' (blood in the urine from Heat forcing Blood out of the vessels), and 'stone stranguria' (urinary stones with painful blockage).

'Clears Heat from the Heart and Small Intestine' refers to the herb's ability to drain fire from the Heart channel downward via the Small Intestine to the Bladder. In TCM, the Heart and Small Intestine are paired organs connected by an interior-exterior relationship. When Heart Fire flares, it can transfer Heat to the Small Intestine and Bladder, causing dark scanty urine, mouth sores, and irritability. Qú Mài enters the Heart and Small Intestine channels and guides this Heat out through urination.

'Invigorates Blood and unblocks menstruation' is a secondary but clinically important action. Qú Mài can break through Blood stagnation in the lower body, making it useful for amenorrhea (missed periods) due to Blood stasis combined with Heat. Because of this Blood-moving action, it is strictly avoided during pregnancy, as it can stimulate uterine contractions and has historically been noted for its ability to cause miscarriage.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Qu Mai is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Qu Mai addresses this pattern

Qú Mài is one of the most direct herbs for Damp-Heat accumulating in the Bladder. Its bitter taste drains and dries Dampness, while its cold temperature clears Heat. It enters the Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder channels, allowing it to clear Heat from the entire Heart-Small Intestine-Bladder axis and guide it downward and out through urination. This directly addresses the core pathomechanism of this pattern, where Damp-Heat obstructs the Bladder's function of transforming and excreting fluids, leading to painful, frequent, and turbid urination.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Painful Urination

Burning, dribbling, or difficult urination (hot stranguria)

Urinary Tract Infection

Frequent, urgent urination with turbid or dark urine

Blood in Urine

Blood in the urine due to Heat forcing Blood from the vessels

Abdominal Distention

Lower abdominal fullness and urgency

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Qu Mai 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

In TCM, urinary tract infections are understood primarily as a manifestation of Damp-Heat pouring downward into the Bladder. The Bladder is responsible for storing and transforming fluids, and when Damp-Heat obstructs this function, it produces the hallmark symptoms: frequent, urgent, painful, and burning urination with dark or turbid urine. The Heat component causes the burning pain and potential bleeding, while the Dampness causes the turbidity and sensation of incomplete emptying. If the condition becomes chronic or recurrent, practitioners also consider underlying deficiency of Kidney Yang or Spleen Qi that allows Damp-Heat to persist.

Why Qu Mai Helps

Qú Mài directly targets the Damp-Heat in the Bladder that drives most acute UTIs. Its bitter and cold nature clears Heat and dries Dampness, while its strong downward-draining action promotes urination and flushes pathogenic factors out of the urinary tract. By entering the Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder channels, it addresses the entire pathway through which Heart Fire can transfer to the lower urinary system. Modern research has confirmed that Qú Mài decoctions have demonstrated diuretic effects in animal studies and show inhibitory activity against several pathogenic bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Also commonly used for

Blood in Urine

Hematuria from lower urinary tract Heat

Painful Urination

Dysuria due to Damp-Heat

Amenorrhea

Missed periods due to Blood stasis with Heat

Prostatitis

Acute or chronic prostatitis with urinary symptoms

Edema

Fluid retention with Heat signs

Nephritis

Acute nephritis with urinary symptoms

Herb Properties

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

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Heart Small Intestine Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

9-15g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in standard decoction. Some clinical references cite doses up to 30g for acute urinary conditions under practitioner supervision, but prolonged use at high doses risks depleting Qi and body fluids.

Dosage notes

Use the lower end of the range (9 to 10g) for mild cases of urinary discomfort or as part of a multi-herb formula. Higher doses (12 to 15g) may be appropriate for acute heat-type painful urination (热淋) with marked burning and blood in the urine. The flower spike (穗) is traditionally considered more potent for diuresis than the stems alone. Avoid prolonged use, as the herb's cold, draining nature can deplete Qi and body fluids over time, especially in patients who are not robustly constituted.

Preparation

No special decoction handling required. Qu Mai is decocted normally with other herbs. It is typically cut into segments, washed, briefly moistened, and dried before use.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Qu Mai does

Processing method

Soaked in bamboo sap (竹沥) for one full day and night, then drained and sun-dried. This is the classical processing method described in the Léi Gōng Páo Zhì Lùn.

How it changes properties

Bamboo sap is cold and slippery in nature, which enhances Qú Mài's ability to clear Heat and promote the smooth flow of urination. This processing slightly strengthens the Heat-clearing action while making the herb gentler on the Stomach.

When to use this form

Historically used when the primary goal is clearing Heat from the Heart and Small Intestine channels and promoting urination for hot stranguria. This classical processing method is rarely seen in modern practice, where the raw cut herb is standard.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Qu Mai for enhanced therapeutic effect

Bian Xu
Bian Xu 1:1 (equal amounts, typically 10-15g each)

Biǎn Xù and Qú Mài are one of the most classic herb pairs in TCM for urinary conditions. Both are bitter and cold, and both clear Damp-Heat from the Bladder and promote urination. Together they form a powerful combination that clears Heat, drains Dampness, and relieves stranguria far more effectively than either herb alone. They serve as co-King herbs in the famous Bā Zhèng Sǎn formula.

When to use: Any type of hot stranguria with painful, difficult, or burning urination, turbid or dark urine, and lower abdominal discomfort. The core pair for acute urinary tract infections and cystitis.

Hai Jin Sha
Hai Jin Sha 1:1 to 1:2 (Qú Mài 10g : Hǎi Jīn Shā 10-20g)

Qú Mài clears Heat and promotes urination broadly, while Hǎi Jīn Shā specifically dissolves urinary stones and clears the urinary passages. Together they combine Heat-clearing diuresis with stone-dissolving action, making them particularly effective for urinary calculi accompanied by painful urination.

When to use: Stone stranguria (urinary stones) with painful urination, hematuria, and difficulty passing urine. Also useful for sandy or gravelly urine.

Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi 2:1 (Qú Mài 10g : Zhī Zǐ 5g)

Qú Mài clears Heat and promotes urination through the Bladder, while Zhī Zǐ (gardenia fruit) clears Heat from the Triple Burner and cools the Blood. Together they enhance each other's Heat-clearing and Blood-cooling effects, making this pair especially effective when urinary Heat is accompanied by blood in the urine.

When to use: Blood stranguria (hematuria) with painful, hot urination and signs of Heat in the lower burner. This pair forms the core of the classical formula Lì Xiào Sǎn.

Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi 1:1 (equal amounts, typically 10-15g each)

Both herbs promote urination and clear Heat, but through slightly different mechanisms. Qú Mài more directly clears Heat from the Heart and Small Intestine channels, while Chē Qián Zǐ (plantain seed) clears Liver Heat and specifically benefits the Bladder. Together they provide comprehensive Damp-Heat clearance from the lower urinary system.

When to use: Hot stranguria, urinary tract infections, and edema with Damp-Heat. Both appear together in the widely used Bā Zhèng Sǎn.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Qu Mai in a prominent role

Ba Zheng San 八正散 King

Bā Zhèng Sǎn (Eight Corrections Powder) from the Tài Píng Huì Mín Hé Jì Jú Fāng is the most representative formula for Qú Mài's primary action of clearing Damp-Heat and relieving stranguria. Qú Mài serves as a co-King herb alongside Biǎn Xù, directly showcasing its core function of clearing Bladder Damp-Heat and promoting urination. This is the most widely used formula for hot stranguria (urinary tract infections) in clinical practice.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Bian Xu
Qu Mai vs Bian Xu

Both Biǎn Xù and Qú Mài are bitter, cold herbs that clear Damp-Heat from the Bladder and relieve stranguria. They are frequently used together and share very similar primary actions. The key difference: Qú Mài has a stronger Blood-invigorating action and can unblock menstruation, making it more suitable when urinary problems are accompanied by Blood stasis or when treating amenorrhea. Biǎn Xù, on the other hand, has an additional action of killing parasites and relieving itching, and is sometimes used externally for skin conditions with Damp-Heat.

Mu Tong
Qu Mai vs Mu Tong

Both Mù Tōng and Qú Mài clear Heart Fire downward through the Small Intestine to relieve urinary Heat. However, Mù Tōng has a stronger action of clearing Heart Fire specifically (making it more suitable for mouth sores and Heart Heat transferring to the Small Intestine) and also promotes lactation. Qú Mài's advantage is its Blood-invigorating action for amenorrhea and its broader stranguria-relieving effect. Note that Mù Tōng (Akebia) carries toxicity concerns at higher doses, while Qú Mài is considered safer in this regard.

Shi Wei
Qu Mai vs Shi Wei

Both Shí Wéi (pyrrosia leaf) and Qú Mài clear Heat and promote urination for stranguria. Shí Wéi has a specific advantage in treating stone stranguria (urinary stones) due to its stone-softening properties and also cools the Blood to stop bleeding, making it particularly effective for blood stranguria. Qú Mài has the additional Blood-moving action for amenorrhea that Shí Wéi lacks. They are often combined together for urinary stones.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Qu Mai

The most notable adulterant is wild oat (野燕麦, Avena fatua L., family Poaceae), whose dried aerial parts are sometimes cut into segments and sold as Qu Mai. Wild oat stems are 60 to 120 cm tall with 2 to 4 nodes and have a grass-like appearance with panicle inflorescences completely unlike the fringed pink flowers of genuine Qu Mai. Another point of confusion is the historical use of two distinct Dianthus species: D. superbus (the larger fringed-petal variety) and D. chinensis (Stone Bamboo, smaller with shallowly toothed petals). Both are accepted in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, but they should be distinguished from other Caryophyllaceae plants such as Lychnis senno (剪秋罗), which Tao Hongjing described as a look-alike with broader, hairy leaves and late-blooming deep red flowers.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Qu Mai

Non-toxic

Qu Mai is classified as non-toxic in standard references. It contains saponins (which produce persistent foam when shaken in water), flavonoids, and volatile oils. While not overtly toxic, its saponin content means the alcohol extract has a mild haemolytic effect in laboratory tests. At standard clinical doses (9 to 15g), this is not a practical concern. The main safety issue is not toxicity per se but its potent draining and blood-moving properties: excessive or prolonged use can deplete Qi and body fluids, and its stimulating effect on uterine and intestinal smooth muscle makes it dangerous in pregnancy.

Contraindications

Situations where Qu Mai should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy. Qu Mai has documented abortifacient effects: it stimulates uterine smooth muscle contractions and has shown significant effects on implantation, early pregnancy, and mid-pregnancy in animal studies, with potency increasing with dose. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing explicitly states it can 'break the fetus and cause miscarriage' (破胎堕子).

Avoid

Spleen and Kidney Qi deficiency with urinary difficulty. As a bitter, cold, draining herb, Qu Mai will further deplete Qi in deficient patients. The Ben Cao Jing Shu warns that those with Kidney Qi deficiency and no substantial Heat in the Small Intestine should avoid it. Elderly or constitutionally weak patients with poor urination due to Qi deficiency rather than damp-heat should not use this herb.

Avoid

Lower Burner cold deficiency (下焦虚寒). When urinary difficulty stems from cold deficiency rather than damp-heat, Qu Mai's cold and draining nature will worsen the condition.

Caution

Spleen deficiency with edema (脾虚水肿). The herb drains fluids without addressing the underlying Spleen Qi weakness, potentially depleting the patient further.

Caution

Postpartum women with urinary difficulty. The Ben Cao Jing Shu specifically warns against use in all deficient patients before and after childbirth with urinary problems.

Classical Incompatibilities

Traditional Chinese pharmacological incompatibilities — herbs or substances to avoid combining with Qu Mai

Qu Mai does not appear on the Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) or Nineteen Mutual Fears (十九畏) lists. However, the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu records that Qu Mai 'is antagonistic to (恶) Sang Piao Xiao (桑螵蛸, mantis egg case)' and notes that 'Suo Cao (蓑草) and Mu Dan (牡丹, tree peony root bark) serve as its envoys (使).'

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Qu Mai has been recognized as an abortifacient since the earliest classical texts. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing explicitly lists 'breaks the fetus and causes miscarriage' (破胎堕子) among its primary actions. Modern pharmacological research confirms this: Qu Mai decoction has a pronounced stimulating effect on uterine smooth muscle, and animal studies show it has significant effects on implantation, early pregnancy, and mid-pregnancy, with abortifacient potency increasing in a dose-dependent manner. It should not be used at any stage of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern safety data on Qu Mai during breastfeeding is well established. Given its bitter, cold nature and its strong draining and blood-moving properties, it has the potential to affect milk quality or reduce milk production by depleting fluids and Qi. Caution is advised, and use should only occur under professional guidance if clearly indicated.

Children

No specific classical dosage guidelines for children exist. Standard practice is to reduce the adult dose proportionally based on age and body weight. Due to its bitter, cold, and draining nature, Qu Mai should be used cautiously in children, particularly those with weak digestion or a tendency toward loose stools. It is best reserved for clear presentations of damp-heat in the urinary system and should be used for short durations only.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Qu Mai

No well-documented specific pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established through clinical studies. Based on known pharmacological properties, the following theoretical interactions warrant caution:

  • Diuretic medications: Qu Mai has demonstrated diuretic activity in animal studies, including increased potassium excretion. Concurrent use with pharmaceutical diuretics (especially potassium-wasting diuretics like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide) could theoretically potentiate fluid and electrolyte loss.
  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs: Due to Qu Mai's blood-moving and blood-breaking properties, concurrent use with warfarin, heparin, or antiplatelet agents may theoretically increase bleeding risk.
  • Antihypertensive medications: Pharmacological studies show Qu Mai decoction can inhibit cardiac function and lower blood pressure. Combined use with antihypertensives could potentially cause excessive blood pressure reduction.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Qu Mai

While taking Qu Mai, avoid excessively cold and raw foods, as these can further tax the Spleen and Stomach Qi that may already be affected by this cold-natured herb. Favour warm, easily digestible foods. Increase fluid intake to support the diuretic action and prevent excessive fluid depletion. Avoid greasy, rich, or spicy-hot foods that may generate further damp-heat in the lower burner.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Qu Mai source plant

Dianthus superbus L. (Fringed Pink) is a herbaceous perennial in the Caryophyllaceae (carnation) family, growing 50 to 80 cm tall. The stems are upright, clustered, hairless, and branch in pairs at the upper portions, with clearly visible nodes. The leaves are opposite, linear to narrowly lance-shaped (1.5 to 9 cm long, 1 to 4 mm wide), with pointed tips and bases that clasp the stem in a short sheath. The flowers are strikingly beautiful, with five deeply fringed (feathery-cut) petals that are pink, pale lavender, or white with a green base, each flower about 5 cm across and sweetly scented. The calyx is a pale purplish-red tube up to 4 cm long. Flowering occurs from summer to early autumn, with capsule fruits maturing in autumn. The plant grows wild on mountain slopes, woodland edges, roadsides, and grasslands, preferring well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils in full sun.

A closely related species, Dianthus chinensis L. (Chinese Pink or Stone Bamboo), is also used as the same medicinal herb. It is shorter (30 to 50 cm), with broader, egg-shaped bracts and shallowly toothed (rather than deeply fringed) petals, usually deep purplish-red with spotted patterns at the throat.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Qu Mai is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn, during the flowering and fruiting period. Historically, the Bie Lu specified harvesting the fruit at the beginning of autumn (立秋).

Primary growing regions

Qu Mai is widely distributed across China. The main commercial production regions are Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, and Jiangsu provinces. Historically, the classical 'terroir' region (道地产区) was Jiangzhou (绛州, modern Xinjiang County and surrounding areas in Shanxi Province), as documented in the Ming dynasty text Yu Zhi Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao. Ancient sources also cite Mount Tai (泰山, Shandong Province), and the Huai River region. The plant also grows across northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin), northwest China (Shaanxi, Gansu, Xinjiang), and southern provinces.

Quality indicators

Good quality Qu Mai herb should have abundant leaves that are blue-green (青绿色) in colour, be well-dried, and free of root fragments and miscellaneous plant debris. The flowers should ideally be unopened or just opening. The stems should show clear nodes. When a small amount of the powdered herb is shaken vigorously with saline water, it should produce persistent foam that does not dissipate within 10 minutes, confirming the presence of saponins. Avoid material that is yellowed, mouldy, or predominantly bare stems with few leaves.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Qu Mai and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Chinese: 瞿麦，味苦寒。主关格诸癃结，小便不通，出刺，决痈肿，明目去翳，破胎堕子，下闭血。一名巨句麦。生川谷。

English: Qu Mai, bitter in flavour, cold in nature. It governs obstruction and blockage of the waterways, all types of urinary retention and difficulty, removes thorns [from the flesh], breaks open abscesses and swellings, brightens the eyes and removes cataracts, breaks the fetus and induces miscarriage, and moves stagnant blood downward. Also called Ju Gou Mai. Grows in river valleys.

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》)

Chinese: 养肾气，逐膀胱邪逆，止霍乱，长毛发。

English: Nourishes Kidney Qi [by clearing pathogenic heat], expels perverse pathogens from the Bladder, stops cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, and promotes hair growth.

Ben Cao Jing Shu (《本草经疏》)

Chinese: 凡肾气虚，小肠无大热者忌之；胎前产后一切虚人，患小水不利，法并禁用；水肿蛊胀，脾虚者不得施。

English: In all cases of Kidney Qi deficiency where the Small Intestine has no substantial Heat, this herb should be avoided. All deficient patients before and after childbirth who have urinary difficulty should be prohibited from using it. In edema and abdominal distension due to Spleen deficiency, it must not be administered.

Ben Cao Zheng (《本草正》)

Chinese: 性滑利，能通小便，降阴火，除五淋，利血脉。兼凉药亦消眼目肿痛；兼血药则能通经破血下胎。凡下焦湿热疼痛诸病，皆可用之。

English: Its nature is slippery and draining. It can promote urination, descend deficiency-fire, eliminate all five types of painful urination, and move through the blood vessels. Combined with cooling herbs it can also reduce eye swelling and pain; combined with blood-moving herbs it can break through menstrual blockage, move blood, and expel the fetus. It may be used for all conditions of lower burner damp-heat with pain.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Qu Mai's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Qu Mai was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (circa Han dynasty), classified as a middle-grade (中品) herb. The name 'Qu Mai' (瞿麦) comes from the observation that its seeds resemble wheat grains, as noted by Tao Hongjing in the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu: 'Its seeds somewhat resemble wheat, hence the name Qu Mai.' Throughout history, two species have been used interchangeably under this name: Dianthus superbus (the larger variety with deeply fringed petals) and Dianthus chinensis (the smaller Stone Bamboo). Tao Hongjing described both in the 5th century, noting that 'the marketplace commonly uses the smaller one,' suggesting Stone Bamboo was actually the more prevalent commercial source in ancient times.

The medicinal part of the herb underwent significant historical changes. Originally, only the fruit and seeds were used ('立秋采实' in the Bie Lu). Later, both stems and leaves came to be harvested together. During some periods, only the flower calyx was preferred. The modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia specifies the entire dried aerial part (stems, leaves, and flowers). Li Shizhen noted in the Ben Cao Gang Mu that historical physicians used Qu Mai in formulas for difficult labour (the 'Stone Bamboo Flower Decoction') and in the 'Southern Heavenly Bamboo Powder' for bleeding from the nine orifices, both applications exploiting its ability to break blood and open the body's passages. The herb is also known by many aliases including Ju Gou Mai (巨句麦), Da Lan (大兰), and Shan Qu Mai (山瞿麦).

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Qu Mai

1

Comprehensive Review: Dianthi herba botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology (2022)

Liu Q, Zang EH, Wang CC, Liu YC, Niu H, Gao Y, Li MH. Chinese Medicine, 2022, 17(1):15.

This review summarized decades of research on Qu Mai (Dianthi herba). Approximately 194 chemical compounds have been identified, mainly triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, and volatile oils. Pharmacological studies confirmed traditional uses including treatment of urinary tract infection and menstrual pain. The compounds showed antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in laboratory settings.

2

Antiviral effect of quercetin 3-glucoside from Dianthus superbus against influenza virus (In vitro/In silico study, 2020)

Nile SH, Kim DH, Nile A, Park GS, Gansukh E, Kai G. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2020, 135:110985.

Quercetin 3-glucoside (Q3G) isolated from Dianthus superbus showed potent antiviral activity against both influenza A and B viruses in cell cultures. It suppressed virus-induced oxidative stress and blocked virus replication, potentially by interfering with the viral polymerase protein. The compound showed no significant cellular toxicity at effective concentrations.

PubMed
3

Dianthus superbus improves glomerular fibrosis and renal dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy model (Preclinical study, 2019)

Yoon JJ, Park JH, Kim HJ, Jin HG, Kim HY, Ahn YM, Kim YC, Lee HS, Lee YJ, Kang DG. Nutrients, 2019, 11(3):553.

The ethyl acetate fraction of Dianthus superbus was tested in diabetic mice (db/db model) and human kidney cells. Treatment improved kidney function markers (albumin-to-creatinine ratio, creatinine clearance) and reduced glomerular fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting potential benefit for diabetic kidney disease.

PubMed
4

Cognitive-enhancing effect of Dianthus superbus on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice (Preclinical study, 2016)

Yun BR, Yang HJ, Weon JB, Lee J, Ma CJ. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 2016, 24(3):298-304.

In a mouse model of memory impairment, Dianthus superbus extract improved learning and memory performance in maze and avoidance tests. It inhibited acetylcholinesterase (an enzyme that breaks down a key brain signalling molecule) and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, suggesting potential relevance to cognitive decline research.

PubMed

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.