Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Shi Jian Chuan

Chinese sage herb · 石见穿

Salvia chinensis Benth. · Herba Salviae Chinensis

Also known as: 华鼠尾草 (Huá Shǔ Wěi Cǎo), 紫参 (Zǐ Shēn), 小丹参 (Xiǎo Dān Shēn),

Shi Jian Chuan (Chinese sage herb) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Shi Jian Chuan is a cooling herb from the sage family that promotes blood circulation, clears heat, and helps reduce swelling and masses. It is traditionally used for menstrual problems, liver conditions like hepatitis, skin infections, and swollen lymph nodes. In modern Chinese clinical practice, it has become especially noted as a supportive herb in formulas for treating various tumors.

Category Blood-invigorating and stasis-dispelling herbs (活血化瘀药) Herbs that clear Heat and resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药)
Therapeutic focus Liver Health Menstrual Health Cancer Support Skin and Wound Care

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Liver, Spleen

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 Shi Jian Chuan does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Shi Jian Chuan is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Liver Health Menstrual Health Cancer Support Skin and Wound Care

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Shi Jian Chuan performs to restore balance in the body:

Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis Clears Heat and Drains Dampness Disperses Swelling and Dissipates Nodules Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity Regulates Menstruation and Alleviates Pain

How these actions work

'Invigorates Blood and resolves stasis' means this herb helps move stagnant blood and restore normal circulation. Its acrid taste disperses congealed blood while its bitter taste drives downward, working together to break through blood stasis. This is why it is used for painful or irregular periods, amenorrhea (absent periods), and traumatic injuries with swelling and bruising.

'Clears Heat and drains Dampness' means the herb's slightly cool nature can reduce inflammatory heat, especially when combined with dampness in the body. This action explains its traditional use for jaundice caused by damp-heat (as in hepatitis), hot-type dysentery, and abnormal vaginal discharge with heat signs.

'Dissipates nodules and reduces swelling' refers to its ability to soften and break down lumps, masses, and swollen tissue. In traditional use this covers conditions like scrofula (swollen lymph nodes), breast abscesses, skin boils, and various types of masses. The herb's blood-moving and heat-clearing properties work together to address the stagnation and toxic accumulation that TCM considers the root cause of such lumps.

'Regulates menstruation and alleviates pain' relates to its blood-invigorating action focused through the Liver channel, which governs menstrual flow. By resolving blood stasis in the uterus and its collateral vessels, the herb helps restore regular, pain-free periods.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Shi Jian Chuan is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Shi Jian Chuan addresses this pattern

Shí Jiàn Chuān directly targets Blood Stasis through its acrid and bitter taste combined with a slightly cool temperature. The acrid taste disperses congealed blood, while the bitter taste drives downward and helps clear stagnation. Its affinity for the Liver channel (the organ that governs the smooth flow of blood) makes it particularly effective at resolving blood stasis in the lower abdomen and throughout the network vessels. Unlike warming blood-movers, its cool nature makes it well suited when blood stasis is accompanied by heat signs.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Amenorrhea

Menstrual pain with dark, clotted blood

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation due to blood stasis

Trauma

Swelling and bruising from physical trauma

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Uterine bleeding with dark, clotted blood

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands hepatitis primarily as damp-heat invading and accumulating in the Liver and Gallbladder. The dampness component produces fatigue, heaviness, and a feeling of fullness, while the heat produces yellow discoloration (jaundice), dark urine, and irritability. When damp-heat lingers, it can impair the Liver's ability to ensure the smooth flow of Qi and blood, potentially leading to blood stasis over time, which corresponds to chronic liver damage and fibrosis in biomedical terms.

Why Shi Jian Chuan Helps

Shí Jiàn Chuān addresses hepatitis through a dual mechanism. Its bitter, slightly cool nature clears damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, directly tackling the root pathogenic factor. Simultaneously, its blood-invigorating action prevents or resolves the blood stasis that develops as the disease progresses. Clinical reports from traditional use show it used at doses of 30g or more for hepatitis, sometimes combined with Yīn Chén (Artemisia capillaris) for enhanced damp-heat clearing. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed it contains salvianolic acids and other phenolic compounds with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties.

Also commonly used for

Jaundice

Damp-heat type jaundice

Dysentery

Bacterial dysentery with heat signs

Leukorrhea

Abnormal vaginal discharge from damp-heat

Reactive Lymphadenopathy

Swollen lymph nodes, scrofula

Breast Abscess

Acute mastitis with swelling and pain

Herpes Zoster Infection

Shingles, applied topically with fresh leaves

Trauma

Bruising and swelling from injury

Uterine Fibroids

Used in formulas for fibroids with Qi stagnation and blood stasis

Herb Properties

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

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Liver Spleen

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

6–15g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in acute conditions or when used in cancer-adjuvant decoctions, under practitioner supervision. For hepatitis treatment, folk formulas use up to 30g combined with other herbs.

Dosage notes

Standard decoction dosage is 6–15g for general use including menstrual irregularity, Blood stasis, damp-heat conditions, and lymph node swelling. In cancer-adjuvant formulas, experienced practitioners may use 15–30g as part of multi-herb prescriptions. Fresh herb can also be juiced for topical or internal use. For external application (abscesses, herpes zoster), the fresh herb is crushed and applied directly to the affected area in appropriate amounts.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Shi Jian Chuan for enhanced therapeutic effect

Dan Shen
Dan Shen Shí Jiàn Chuān 15-30g : Dān Shēn 10-15g

Together, Shí Jiàn Chuān and Dān Shēn powerfully invigorate blood and resolve stasis while also clearing heat. Dān Shēn is the premier blood-moving herb for the Heart and Liver, and Shí Jiàn Chuān adds nodule-dissipating and damp-heat clearing actions. The combination is especially suited for liver conditions where both blood stasis and damp-heat are present.

When to use: Used for hepatomegaly and splenomegaly from chronic liver disease (such as late-stage schistosomiasis), liver tumors, and chronic hepatitis with blood stasis and heat.

Ban Zhi Lian
Ban Zhi Lian 1:1 (typically 15-30g each)

Shí Jiàn Chuān and Bàn Zhī Lián both clear heat-toxins and resolve masses, but from complementary angles. Bàn Zhī Lián emphasizes clearing heat-toxins and has strong anti-tumor activity, while Shí Jiàn Chuān adds blood-invigorating and nodule-dissipating actions. Together they address both the toxic accumulation and the blood stasis that form the basis of tumor masses in TCM theory.

When to use: Used as a supportive pairing in cancer treatment formulas, particularly for gastrointestinal and liver cancers.

Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao Shí Jiàn Chuān 30g : Yì Mǔ Cǎo 30g

Both herbs invigorate blood and regulate menstruation. Yì Mǔ Cǎo (Motherwort) is the classic gynecological blood-mover that also promotes urination and reduces edema, while Shí Jiàn Chuān adds heat-clearing and nodule-dissipating strength. Together they address blood stasis in the uterus more thoroughly than either herb alone.

When to use: Used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, or amenorrhea with blood stasis, especially when accompanied by damp-heat signs.

E Zhu
E Zhu Shí Jiàn Chuān 15-30g : É Zhú 6-10g

É Zhú (Curcuma zedoaria) is a powerful herb for breaking blood stasis and dissolving accumulations. Combined with Shí Jiàn Chuān's gentler blood-invigorating and heat-clearing actions, the pair addresses deep-seated masses with underlying heat-toxins. É Zhú provides strong mass-breaking force while Shí Jiàn Chuān clears the toxic heat environment that sustains tumor growth.

When to use: Used in cancer-supportive formulas, especially for liver tumors and abdominal masses with blood stasis.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Dan Shen
Shi Jian Chuan vs Dan Shen

Both are Salvia species that invigorate blood and clear heat, but they are very different herbs. Dān Shēn (Salvia miltiorrhiza root) is bitter, slightly cold, and enters the Heart and Liver channels. It is the premier blood-moving herb in Chinese medicine, particularly for cardiovascular conditions and calming the spirit. Shí Jiàn Chuān (Salvia chinensis whole plant) is acrid, bitter, and slightly cool, entering the Liver and Spleen channels. It is milder at moving blood but adds damp-heat clearing and stronger nodule-dissipating actions. Choose Dān Shēn for heart blood stasis and restlessness; choose Shí Jiàn Chuān when blood stasis combines with damp-heat, masses, or tumors.

Ban Zhi Lian
Shi Jian Chuan vs Ban Zhi Lian

Both herbs are used in cancer-supportive therapy and both clear heat-toxins and reduce swelling. Bàn Zhī Lián (Scutellaria barbata) is more strongly heat-clearing and toxin-resolving, making it the first choice when toxic heat is the dominant pathological factor. Shí Jiàn Chuān is stronger at invigorating blood and addressing blood stasis, making it preferable when blood stasis and nodules are the primary concern. In practice, they are often combined rather than used as substitutes.

Bai Hua She She Cao
Shi Jian Chuan vs Bai Hua She She Cao

Both are heat-clearing, detoxifying herbs commonly used in anti-tumor formulas. Bái Huā Shé Shé Cǎo (Hedyotis/Oldenlandia) is more strongly focused on clearing heat-toxins and promoting urination, making it better suited when damp-heat with urinary symptoms or intense toxic accumulation is dominant. Shí Jiàn Chuān's blood-invigorating action gives it an advantage when blood stasis and palpable masses are more prominent features of the condition.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Shi Jian Chuan

Shi Jian Chuan (石见穿, Salvia chinensis) is sometimes confused with Shi Da Chuan (石打穿), which in some regions refers to the same herb but in other regions may refer to entirely different plants such as Hypericum species. The name "Zi Shen" (紫参, Purple Root) is shared with other unrelated herbs, which can lead to substitution errors. In some markets, other Salvia species from the S. chinensis group (such as S. cavaleriei or S. prionitis) may be sold as Shi Jian Chuan. Authentic material can be identified by its square stems with white pubescent hairs, ovate leaves with blunt serrations, and blue-purple two-lipped flowers. It should not be confused with Dan Shen (丹参, Salvia miltiorrhiza), which is a different species with very different root-based medicinal use.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Shi Jian Chuan

Non-toxic

Shi Jian Chuan is generally regarded as non-toxic at standard therapeutic doses. No specific toxic components have been identified. However, excessive or prolonged use may accelerate blood circulation excessively, potentially leading to Qi and Blood depletion. Some sources note that long-term overuse may place additional burden on the kidneys. Use at standard dosages and for appropriate duration under practitioner guidance is considered safe.

Contraindications

Situations where Shi Jian Chuan should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy: Shi Jian Chuan actively moves Blood and resolves stasis, which can stimulate uterine contractions and potentially cause miscarriage or bleeding.

Caution

Absence of Blood stasis or internal stagnation: the herb's strong Blood-invigorating properties are unnecessary and may damage Qi and Blood in people without these patterns.

Caution

Excessive menstrual bleeding or active hemorrhage: the Blood-moving nature of this herb may worsen bleeding in those with hemorrhagic conditions.

Caution

Qi and Blood deficiency without stagnation: prolonged or excessive use may further deplete Qi and Blood, causing fatigue and weakness.

Caution

Use in young children should be approached with caution due to their delicate constitutions and the herb's strong Blood-moving actions.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy. Shi Jian Chuan is a Blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving herb with strong properties for moving Blood. This action can stimulate uterine contractions and promote bleeding, posing a risk of miscarriage, premature labour, or excessive uterine haemorrhage. Classical and modern Chinese materia medica sources explicitly state that pregnant women should avoid this herb (孕妇忌用).

Breastfeeding

No specific safety data exists regarding the use of Shi Jian Chuan during breastfeeding. Given its Blood-moving and slightly cold properties, caution is advised. The herb's active compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenoids) could theoretically transfer into breast milk. Nursing mothers should consult a qualified practitioner before use and avoid the herb unless specifically indicated.

Children

Classical sources note that children should use this herb with caution (儿童慎用). If prescribed for a child, dosage should be significantly reduced proportional to body weight and age. This herb is rarely used in pediatric practice and should only be given under close supervision by a qualified practitioner. Its Blood-moving properties make it particularly unsuitable for very young children.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Shi Jian Chuan

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established through clinical studies. However, based on its known pharmacological profile, the following theoretical interactions should be considered:

  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Shi Jian Chuan's Blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving properties may potentiate anticoagulant effects, increasing bleeding risk. Concurrent use should be closely monitored.
  • Chemotherapy agents: Preclinical research suggests Shi Jian Chuan may influence multiple cancer cell signalling pathways (NF-kappaB, Wnt/beta-catenin, PI3K/AKT, p53). While this could theoretically be synergistic, any combination with conventional chemotherapy should only occur under professional oncological and TCM supervision.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Shi Jian Chuan

When taking Shi Jian Chuan for Blood stasis or damp-heat conditions, avoid excessively greasy, fried, or rich foods that may generate more dampness and impede the herb's clearing action. Cold and raw foods should be consumed in moderation, as they may hinder the herb's Blood-moving function. Light, easily digestible meals support the herb's therapeutic effects.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Shi Jian Chuan source plant

Salvia chinensis Benth. (Chinese Sage, 华鼠尾草) is an annual herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It grows on erect or prostrate square stems to a height of 20–70 cm. The stems are grey-green to dark purple in colour and covered with white pubescent hairs, particularly dense at the upper portions and nodes. The leaves are ovate with blunt serrated margins, and both surfaces are covered in soft white hairs that are more prominent on the undersides and along the veins.

The plant produces whorled flower clusters arranged in terminal spike-like racemes. The corolla is two-lipped and blue-purple in colour. The small nutlets (seeds) are elliptical and brown. S. chinensis grows naturally in forests and grassy areas on hillsides or plains at elevations of 100–500 metres across eastern and central China. The entire above-ground portion of the plant (stems, leaves, and flowers) is used medicinally.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Shi Jian Chuan is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer, from the period of Xia Zhi (Summer Solstice, late June) through Chu Shu (End of Heat, late August), when the plant is in full flower.

Primary growing regions

Shi Jian Chuan is primarily produced in Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Hubei provinces in eastern China. It also grows in Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan. The Jiangsu region, particularly around Suzhou, is traditionally considered the best known source area for this herb. It grows wild on hillsides and in forest shade at low to moderate elevations (100–500m).

Quality indicators

Good quality Shi Jian Chuan has grey-green stems with a slightly purplish tinge, covered in visible white hairs. Leaves should be abundant, green (not yellowed or browned), and intact rather than shattered. The presence of blue-purple flowers is considered a sign of good quality material harvested at the optimal time. The texture should be brittle and the stem easy to snap, revealing a white or brownish-yellow centre. The aroma is faint and the taste is slightly bitter and astringent. Avoid material that is overly dark, mouldy, or heavily fragmented with few intact leaves.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Shi Jian Chuan and its therapeutic uses

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Compendium of Materia Medica) — Li Shizhen, Ming Dynasty

Original: 「石见穿，主骨痛，大风，痈肿。」

Translation: "Shi Jian Chuan treats bone pain, major wind conditions [leprosy-like disorders], and abscesses with swelling."

Su Zhou Ben Chan Yao Cai (《苏州本产药材》, Suzhou Local Materia Medica)

Original: 「治噎膈，痰饮气喘。」

Translation: "Treats dysphagia [obstruction of the oesophagus], and phlegm-retention with wheezing."

Jiang Su Yao Cai Zhi (《江苏药材志》, Jiangsu Materia Medica Records)

Original: 「治瘰疬。」

Translation: "Treats scrofula [lymph node swelling and nodulations]."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Shi Jian Chuan's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Shi Jian Chuan (石见穿) was first recorded by Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty classic Ben Cao Gang Mu (1590), listed in the section of "named but unused" herbs (有名未用), where it was described as treating bone pain, wind conditions, and abscesses. At that time, it was not yet a widely used herb in mainstream practice. Its medicinal use expanded significantly through the folk medicine traditions of Jiangsu and surrounding regions, where later provincial materia medica texts such as the Su Zhou Ben Chan Yao Cai and Jiang Su Yao Cai Zhi documented its use for dysphagia, phlegm-wheezing, and scrofula.

The herb's name literally means "penetrating through stone" (石 stone, 见 see/appear, 穿 penetrate), evoking the idea of persistent, penetrating therapeutic power. A folk legend tells of an old herbalist who noticed that the steady dripping of rainwater from this plant's leaves had worn small pits into the stone beneath it. Inspired, he tried the herb clinically and found it remarkably effective for treating abdominal distension and fluid accumulations, naming it to reflect the "water-wears-through-stone" principle. In modern times, Shi Jian Chuan has gained particular attention for its use as an adjuvant herb in cancer treatment, especially for hepatocellular carcinoma and gastrointestinal tumours, and is widely used in contemporary Chinese oncology practice alongside herbs like E Zhu and Bie Jia. It was briefly included in the 1977 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia but was not retained in subsequent editions, and is now governed mainly by provincial drug standards (e.g. Shandong, Guangdong).

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Shi Jian Chuan

1

Antitumor immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharides from Salvia chinensis Benth (In vivo preclinical study, 2015)

Shu G, Zhao W, Yue L, Su H, Xiang M. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015, 168: 237-247.

This study evaluated the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of polysaccharides extracted from Salvia chinensis in mice bearing H22 liver cancer cells. The polysaccharides suppressed tumour growth without detectable toxic effects on the host animals. The mechanism involved reducing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, which in turn protected CD4+ T cells from apoptosis and enhanced the cancer-killing activity of natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells.

PubMed
2

Identification of WT1 as determinant of hepatocellular carcinoma and its inhibition by Salvia chinensis Benth and protocatechualdehyde (In vitro/in vivo preclinical study, 2017)

Wang N, Tan HY, Chan YT, Guo W, Li S, Feng Y. Oncotarget, 2017, 8(62): 105848-105859.

Researchers screened several Chinese herbal medicines for anti-tumour activity against liver cancer cells and found Salvia chinensis to be the most potent suppressor. It inhibited liver cancer cell growth in cell cultures and suppressed tumour growth and lung metastasis in mice. The active component protocatechualdehyde was identified through molecular docking, and the mechanism involved suppression of the WT1/Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway.

Link
3

Salvia chinensis Benth inhibits triple-negative breast cancer progression by inducing the DNA damage pathway (In vitro/in vivo preclinical study, 2022)

Ding J, Wang X, Zhang Y, et al. Frontiers in Oncology, 2022, 12: 882784.

This study investigated the effects of Salvia chinensis extract on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Using network pharmacology, the researchers identified quercetin and beta-sitosterol as core active components. The extract induced DNA damage in cancer cells via the p53 signalling pathway while simultaneously blocking DNA repair mechanisms. The combination of quercetin and beta-sitosterol showed synergistic anti-tumour effects both in cell cultures and in mouse xenograft models.

Link
4

Chemical composition of total flavonoids from Salvia chinensia Benth and their pro-apoptotic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cells: potential roles of suppressing cellular NF-kappaB signaling (In vitro/in vivo preclinical study, 2013)

Xiang M, Su H, Hu Y, Hu Y, Yang T, Shu G. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2013, 62: 420-426.

This study characterised 13 flavonoid compounds from Salvia chinensis and showed that the total flavonoid extract induced dose-dependent apoptosis (programmed cell death) in liver cancer cells. It also substantially suppressed NF-kappaB activity, a key inflammation and survival pathway in cancer cells, and inhibited transplanted liver tumour growth in mice.

Link

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.