Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Field Sowthistle

Chinese
苣荬菜
Pinyin
Qu Mai Cai
Latin
Herba Sonchi Arvensis
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Field Sowthistle, Sonchus arvensis, showing habit, leaves, flower heads, fruit, pappus, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Qu Mai Cai (苣荬菜), this bitter and sweet, cold herb enters the Liver, Stomach, and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it clears heat and resolves toxin; used for heat-toxin sores, swellings, tonsillitis, intestinal abscess, and appendicitis-pattern pain, most often applied for wind heat and blood stasis. Modern research has identified Luteolin among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Sonchi

Latin: Herba Sonchi Arvensis | Pinyin: Qu Mai Cai | Chinese: 苣荬菜

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, sweet
Temperature
cold
Channels
Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and resolves toxin; used for heat-toxin sores, swellings, tonsillitis, intestinal abscess, and appendicitis-pattern pain
  • Cools blood and stops bleeding; addresses hematuria, uterine bleeding from blood-heat, and hematemesis
  • Disperses swelling and promotes lactation; folk medicine application for mastitis and insufficient lactation in postpartum women

Secondary Actions

  • Anti-inflammatory for hot painful dysentery and bloody stool … clears Large Intestine damp-heat
  • Clears Liver heat; used in northeast China folk medicine for jaundice and hepatitis with heat presentation
  • Topical application as fresh-herb poultice for snake bites and infected sores

Classical References

  • Classified primarily as a folk/regional herb in northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia) … widely consumed as a wild vegetable and medicine in Chinese ethnobotanical tradition
  • Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (本草纲目拾遗) … listed as 苦荬菜 (Ku Mai Cai), heat-clearing, bitter-cold herb for toxin removal and blood cooling

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Luteolin
  • Luteolin-7-O-glucoside
  • Apigenin
  • Chlorogenic acid
  • Caffeic acid
  • Taraxasterol
  • Taraxacin
  • Inulin-type fructooligosaccharides
  • Phenolic acids (ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid)
  • Sesquiterpene lactones

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory … ethanol extract inhibits COX-2 and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in LPS-stimulated macrophage models; luteolin identified as primary active agent
  • Antibacterial … aqueous and ethanol extracts show inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis; supports traditional use for infections
  • Hepatoprotective … taraxasterol fraction attenuates CCl4-induced liver injury in mice, reduces AST/ALT, and restores hepatic antioxidant enzymes
  • Antioxidant … strong DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity; chlorogenic acid and luteolin contribute to high total phenolic content
  • Anti-tumor (preclinical) … sesquiterpene lactone fraction induces apoptosis in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines; mechanism involves ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold-deficiency Spleen-Stomach patterns … cold thermal nature may aggravate loose stool, chronic diarrhea, or fatigue from cold
  • Hypersensitivity to Asteraceae (daisy family) … cross-reactivity possible with chrysanthemum, echinacea, or chamomile-sensitive individuals

Cautions

  • Long-term high-dose use not established in clinical literature; use within standard decoction doses (9–15 g)
  • Topical fresh-herb preparation: perform patch test for individuals with sensitive skin
  • No clinically significant drug interactions documented; general monitoring recommended when combined with anticoagulants given potential anti-platelet flavonoid activity

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is All-Grass of Field Sowthistle used for?

All-Grass of Field Sowthistle is traditionally used to Clears heat and resolves toxin; used for heat-toxin sores, swellings, tonsillitis, intestinal abscess, and appendicitis-pattern pain, Cools blood and stops bleeding; addresses hematuria, uterine bleeding from blood-heat, and hematemesis, Disperses swelling and promotes lactation; folk medicine application for mastitis and insufficient lactation in postpartum women. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory … ethanol extract inhibits COX-2 and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in LPS-stimulated macrophage models; luteolin identified as primary active agent; Antibacterial … aqueous and ethanol extracts show inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis; supports traditional use for infections.

What are other names for All-Grass of Field Sowthistle?

All-Grass of Field Sowthistle is also known as Sonchi. In TCM: 苣荬菜 (Qu Mai Cai); Herba Sonchi Arvensis.

Is All-Grass of Field Sowthistle safe during pregnancy?

The safety of All-Grass of Field Sowthistle during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Field Sowthistle?

All-Grass of Field Sowthistle should not be used in: Cold-deficiency Spleen-Stomach patterns … cold thermal nature may aggravate loose stool, chronic diarrhea, or fatigue from cold; Hypersensitivity to Asteraceae (daisy family) … cross-reactivity possible with chrysanthemum, echinacea, or chamomile-sensitive individuals. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.