车前草 / 车前子 / 芣苡 — Plantago asiatica L. (incl. Plantago major L.)

Pinyin: Chēqiáncǎo / Chēqiánzǐ · Malay: Ekor Anjing / Daun Sendok · Family: Plantaginaceae (车前科)

Energetics

Cold (寒)

Flavor

Sweet, bland (甘、淡)

Meridians

Liver (肝), Kidney (肾), Urinary Bladder (膀胱), Lung (肺)

Traditional Edict

Drains damp-heat to unblock strangury, clears liver fire to brighten vision, and cools lungs to expel phlegm. Classic remedy for stone strangury, dark burning urine, and watery summer diarrhea.

Cautions & Contraindications

Prolonged unmonitored use may deplete potassium. Contraindicated in kidney deficiency cold polyuria and nocturnal emissions without damp-heat.

Clinical Applications

Acute cystitis, urolithiasis (calcium oxalate calculi), acute bronchitis, hyperuricemia, diabetic retinopathy, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Quality Markers

Plantamajoside (车前草苷) >= 0.50% & Aucubin (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Plantamajoside inhibits calcium oxalate crystal aggregation and downregulates renal OPN/CD44 expression. 2. Aucubin and geniposidic acid stimulate hepatic bile export. 3. Plantago mucilage polysaccharides promote osmotic diuresis and intestinal lubrication.

Preparation & Dosage

Whole herb in decoction: 15-30 g. Seeds (Cheqianzi): 10-15 g MUST BE WRAPPED IN CLOTH BAG (Bao Jian / 包煎) to prevent sticky mucilage from scorching cauldron bottom.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Ba Zheng San (八正散) with Dianthus, Polygonum aviculare, and Gardenia for acute burning urinary strangury. 2. Vision-Brightening Liver Formula with Chrysanthemum and Cuscuta chinensis.

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Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only