Lysimachia (jin qian cao)
Lysimachia christinae · 金钱草
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Jin qian cao, Chinese moneywort, Money grass
Pinyin: Jīn Qián Cǎo
Limited safety dataA creeping herb used in Chinese medicine for gallstones, urinary stones, and jaundice.
Did you know? Jin qian cao means money grass, because its round, coin-like leaves look like old coins.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used for urinary stones and urine trouble in tradition. Human trials are few.Traditional proof
- Liver. Used for gallbladder stones and jaundice in tradition. Human proof is limited.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Chinese medicine uses jin qian cao to drain damp heat from the liver and bladder, ease jaundice, and help stones pass from the gallbladder or urinary tract.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Diuretic, Cholagogue. Energy: cooling.
- Chinese medicine
- 金钱草 Drain dampness. Nature: cool. Flavour: sweet, salty. Enters the Liver, Gallbladder, Kidney and Bladder channels.
How people take it
Traditional decoctions use about 15 to 30 grams of herb. Products vary a lot in strength.
Decoction, tea and capsule.
Where to get it
Grows wild in China and other parts of Asia. Sold as dried herb, tea, and in patent medicines. Several different plants are sold under this name, so check the species.
Be careful
Safety data are limited. It may increase urination, so people with kidney problems should ask a clinician first. Avoid in pregnancy.
Avoid if: pregnancy; kidney disease.
Mixing with other things
No specific mixing notes on file. That doesn't prove it's safe with everything; ask a pharmacist about your full list.
The honest take
Jin qian cao is used for stones and jaundice in Chinese medicine, but human proof is thin. Several different plants are sold under this name, which makes results hard to compare. Stones and jaundice can need medical care, so see a doctor first.