Whole herbsDampness-drainingAbri Herba

Ji Gu Cao (Canton Abrus Herb)

雞骨草 · Ji Gu Cao

Dampness-draining herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Leaches dampness and resolves jaundice, clears heat and resolves toxin, spreads liver and stops pain.

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Quick Facts

Latin Name	Abri Herba
Chinese Name & Pinyin	雞骨草 · Ji Gu Cao
Medicinal Part	Whole herbs
Efficacy Category	Dampness-draining
Botanical Origin	The dried whole herb of Abrus cantoniensis Hance or Abrus mollis Hance.(Fabaceae)
Nature & Flavour	Sweet, Bitter; Cool
Channels Entered	Liver, Stomach

What Is Ji Gu Cao?

Ji Gu Cao (Canton Abrus Herb) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bitter; Cool
Channels Entered: Liver, Stomach

Ji Gu Cao: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Abri Herba

Botanical Origin

The dried whole herb of Abrus cantoniensis Hance or Abrus mollis Hance.(Fabaceae)

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has knotted rhizomes with shole stems and leaves.

Macroscopic Features

Roots often are conical, with thick top and thin bottom, with branches, uneven length, 0.5~1.5cm diameter; externally grayish-brown, rough, with thin longitudinal lines, lateral root is very thin, sometimes with a broken or remaining base; hard texture. Stems are clustered thickly, grayish-brown or purple-brown, small twigs are very thin, sparsely covered in short soft hairs. Alternating pinnate compound leaves, 8~11 pairs of oblong leaflets, often fallen off, leaflets are rectangular round shaped, Abrus cantoniensis Hance leaves are 0.8~1.2cm long, Abrus mollis Hance leaves are 1.2~2.4cm long, flat tips, with a small point, lower surface is covered with downy hairs. faintly aromatic odor; slightly bitter taste.

Traditional TCM Properties

Sweet, Bitter; CoolLiverStomach

Traditional Functions

Leaches dampness and resolves jaundice, clears heat and resolves toxin, spreads liver and stops pain.

How Ji Gu Cao Is Used in TCM

In the Chinese materia medica, Ji Gu Cao is classified among the Dampness-draining herbs.

Classical Formulas Containing Ji Gu Cao

Classic Formula 1: Ji Gu Cao Wan (Abrus Pill)

Combination logic: In this formula, Ji Gu Cao is the lord, exerting the core actions of clearing and draining damp-heat and resolving toxins; the auxiliary herbs such as bile paste and Lü Dou jointly strengthen the clear-liver-gallbladder and toxin-resolving effect. It mainly solves the flank pain and jaundice of liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Ji Gu Cao cannot be used alone — it needs the synergy of the other herbs.

Traditional use: traditionally used for the flank discomfort and stomach distending pain of liver-gallbladder damp-heat, and for acute hepatitis or cholecystitis with such patterns.

Modern note: modern clinical use requires the doctor's pattern diagnosis and standard care — do not self-apply just because the formula name relates to the liver and gallbladder.

Classic Formula 2: Ji Gu Cao Hong Zao Tang (Abrus and Red Date Soup)

Combination logic: In this formula, Ji Gu Cao is the main clear-drain damp-heat herb; Hong Zao eases the nature and harmonizes the spleen and stomach. It mainly solves the poor appetite and heavy body of damp-heat obstructing the spleen and stomach. It also needs Hong Zao's harmonizing — Ji Gu Cao alone cannot reach the regulating effect.

Traditional use: traditionally used for the mild spleen-stomach discomfort of daily damp-heat — fitting the daily mild regulation of the Lingnan region.

Modern note: for such food-therapy formulas, if used for body discomfort, a physician's pattern diagnosis is still needed — confirm it fits your condition before use.

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

A formula is a whole of many herbs acting together — a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effect. The doses and combinations in a formula are holistic — every herb's amount and pairing are designed for the specific pattern. The common misunderstanding: a herb that works in a formula does not mean taking it alone produces the same effect — for example, Ji Gu Cao in a formula needs the other herbs; its action and effect when taken alone differ from the formula. Do not build formulas from online articles, and do not take a single herb alone to replace a formula.

Ji Gu Cao

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jigucao? Is it the same as Yinchen or Jinqiancao?

Jigucao is the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, Latin name Abri Herba. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on draining dampness and clearing jaundice, clearing heat and detoxifying, and soothing the liver and relieving pain. Yinchen drains dampness and clears jaundice. Jinqiancao drains dampness and promotes urination. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Jigucao. Caution in spleen-stomach deficiency cold.

What are the composition and effects of Jigucao?

Pharmacopoeial name Jigucao, Latin Abrus cantoniensis Hance. Sweet and slightly bitter in taste, cool in nature, enters the Liver and Stomach meridians. Functions to drain dampness and clear jaundice, clear heat and detoxify, and soothe the liver and relieve pain. Used for damp-heat jaundice, hypochondriac discomfort, stomach distension and pain, and breast carbuncle swelling and pain. Drains dampness and clears jaundice.

How to choose between raw and processed? Can Yinchen replace it?

Whole plant is used raw; pods must be removed. Yinchen emphasizes jaundice rather than strongly soothing the liver, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.

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Learn More About Ji Gu Cao

Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Ji Gu Cao.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.