Xian He Cao (仙鹤草) — Agrimony | TCM Herb Guide

At a Glance

• Herb: Xian He Cao
• Chinese name: 仙鹤草 (Xiān Hè Cǎo)
• Latin name: Agrimonia pilosa herb
• Nature: Slightly Warm
• Taste: Bitter / Astringent
• Meridian: Heart / Liver / Lung / Spleen
• Category: Herbs that Stop Bleeding
• Introduction: Xian He Cao (仙鹤草), Herba Agrimoniae, is the dried aerial part of Agrimonia pilosa, a common roadside herb harvested in summer. Valued for its reliable hemostatic action across all bleeding patterns regardless of heat or cold, it is also a qi tonic used for fatigue and dysentery. Modern research confirms agrimonolide and related compounds reduce coagulation time, exhibit antitumor activity, and kill Trichomonas vaginalis.

Action

• Stops bleeding (astringes and consolidates)
• Tonifies deficiency and supplements qi
• Kills parasites (Trichomonas)
• Relieves dysentery and stops diarrhea
• Reduces swelling and alleviates pain (topical)

Clinical Application

• Bleeding of all types: hemoptysis, hematuria, uterine bleeding, traumatic bleeding — suitable regardless of cold or heat
• Deficiency fatigue (脱力劳伤): extreme exhaustion — combines with Da Zao, Dang Shen
• Dysentery and diarrhea (cold or hot) — combines with Bai Tou Weng or Pao Jiang as appropriate
• Trichomonas vaginitis — used as external wash or decoction
• Malaria (historical use) — combines with Chang Shan

Precautions

• Dosage: 6–12 g in decoction; up to 30–60 g for deficiency fatigue or heavy bleeding
• Generally safe across heat, cold, excess, and deficiency bleeding patterns
• No major incompatibilities or contraindications documented
• Use with caution in excess heat bleeding if used alone — best combined with heat-clearing hemostatics
• External use: wash affected area with concentrated decoction

Formula

• Xian He Cao Tang (仙鹤草汤): Xian He Cao, Ce Bai Ye, Ai Ye — stops multiple types of bleeding
• Xian He Cao + Da Zao (single formula): 30–60 g Xian He Cao decocted with 10–15 Da Zao — classical remedy for deficiency fatigue
• Zhi Xue San (止血散): Xian He Cao, San Qi, Pu Huang — combined hemostatic powder for traumatic bleeding

Combinations

• 白及 (Bái Jí) + 三七 (Sān Qī) — gastric and pulmonary bleeding from various causes; 仙鹤草收敛止血兼补虚. 2. 党参 (Dǎng Shēn) + 黄芪 (Huáng Qí) — bleeding from qi deficiency unable to hold blood (气不摄血). 3. 生地 (Shēng Dì) + 侧柏叶 (Cè Bǎi Yè) — blood heat causing various hemorrhages. 4. 鸦胆子 (Yā Dǎn Zǐ) — trichomonas vaginitis and amoebic dysentery. 5. 大枣 (Dà Zǎo) + 浮小麦 (Fú Xiǎo Mài) — chronic fatigue and weakness from deficiency (仙鹤草大剂量补虚强壮). Source: 本草纲目拾遗, 滇南本草.

Pharmacological Effects

• Hemostatic: vitamin k₁ promotes hepatic synthesis of clotting factors ii, vii, ix, x; agrimoniin activates platelet aggregation and thrombin generation. antiparasitic: agrimonolide kills trichomonas vaginalis and entamoeba histolytica. antitumor: agrimoniin inhibits tumor angiogenesis
  • anti-VEGF
• Induces apoptosis in colon, breast, and bladder cancer lines. anti-inflammatory: luteolin and ursolic acid inhibit nf-κb and cox-2. adaptogenic: large doses
  • 30–60 g) used as tonic for fatigue and weakness in Chinese folk medicine. Antimicrobial: active against MRSA, Helicobacter pylori, and Candida albicans.

Classic Description

• Dian Nan Ben Cao (《滇南本草》): ‘Treats red and white dysentery, treats hematemesis, stops cough, disperses carbuncle sores, breaks blood stasis, and kills parasites.’
• Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (《本草纲目拾遗》): ‘Agrimony Herb treats consumptive taxation, treats scrofula, stops hematemesis, bloody stool, hematuria, and intestinal wind with bloody stool.’
• Zhong Yao Zhi (《中药志》): ‘Astringes and stops bleeding, strengthens, reduces inflammation, intercepts malaria, kills parasites; treats all types of bleeding disorders, sore toxin, and trichomonas infection.’