Rubia Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Rubia Root, known in Chinese as 茜草 (Qiàncǎo) and scientifically as Radix Rubiae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Rubia Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Rubia Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Rubia Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Rubia Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Rubia Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Rulu, Qian Gen, and Huoxue Dan. It is the root and rhizome of Rubia cordifolia L. of the Rubiaceae family. It is mainly produced in Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui, Hebei, and Shandong provinces. The roots are harvested in spring and autumn, then washed and sun-dried.
[Properties] Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Liver meridian.
[Actions] Cools the blood and stops bleeding; removes blood stasis and unblocks menstruation.
[Applications]
1. Used for bleeding syndromes caused by reckless movement of hot blood, especially suitable when accompanied by blood stasis. For example, to treat vomiting blood and coughing blood, often combined with Da Ji (Herba Cirsii Japonici), Bai Mao Gen (Rhizoma Imperatae), Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), as in Shi Hui San (Ten Partially Charred Substances Powder); to treat nosebleed, often combined with Wu Mei (Fructus Mume), Ce Bai Ye (Folium Platycladi), Xue Yu Tan (charred blood residue); to treat intestinal wind bleeding, combined with Jing Jie Tan (charred Herba Schizonepetae), Di Yu (Radix Sanguisorbae), Huai Hua (Flos Sophorae); to treat hematuria, combined with Pu Huang (Pollen Typhae), Xiao Ji (Herba Cirsii), Bai Mao Gen; to treat metrorrhagia and menorrhagia due to blood heat, combined with Sheng Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae), Da Ji, Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae); if due to blood stasis obstruction, combined with Pu Huang, Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan), Xue Yu Tan; if due to qi deficiency failing to contain blood, combined with Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni), Wu Zei Gu (Sepiae Endoconcha), as in Gu Chong Tang.
2. Used for blood stasis causing amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis, traumatic swelling and pain, and rheumatic arthralgia. To treat blood stasis amenorrhea, can be used alone as a decoction of Radix Rubiae wine or combined with Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Tao Ren (Semen Persicae), Hong Hua (Flos Carthami); to treat persistent dysmenorrhea, often combined with E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae), Wu Ling Zhi (Excrementum Trogopterori), Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis); to treat traumatic injury with blood stasis swelling and pain, often combined with San Qi (Radix Notoginseng), Xue Jie (Dragon’s Blood), Mo Yao (Myrrha); to treat chronic arthralgia with blood stasis in the meridians, can be used alone soaked in wine or combined with Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Jiang Huang (Rhizoma Curcumae Longae), Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis).
[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 6–9 g; powdered for pills or powders, 2–5 g. Charred preparation can enhance hemostatic effect.
[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency cold and absence of blood stasis.
[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Radix Rubiae contains multiple anthraquinone derivatives such as rubiadin, hydroxyrubiadin, isorubiadin, and chrysophanol methyl ether; multiple naphthoquinone derivatives including rubiafusarin and rubiadin lactone; and cyclopeptides RA I–XVI with anticancer activity. It also contains triterpenoids such as Rubiarbon A and B, scopolamine, fatty acids, β-sitosterol, and carotenoid glycosides.
2. Pharmacological effects: Radix Rubiae shortens bleeding and coagulation times in rabbits, with enhanced effect after charring; rubiafusarin strongly inhibits arachidonic acid (AA) and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in rabbits; crude extracts increase white blood cell count, with one active component being an aromatic phenolic carboxylic acid glycoside; oral decoction in mice shows significant antitussive and expectorant effects; cyclopeptides exhibit notable anticancer activity; 20% Radix Rubiae prevents experimental kidney and bladder stone formation, especially inhibiting calcium carbonate stones; extracts protect against acute myocardial ischemia in anesthetized dogs; inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and some skin fungi.
3. Clinical reports:
1) Soft tissue injury: 200 g Radix Rubiae and 100 g Chuan Xiong coarsely powdered, wrapped in cloth and boiled for 20 minutes, washed and applied warm to affected area, cooled and stored, reheated for reuse. Treated 300 cases, 3–8 days medication, 260 cured, 16 improved, 2 ineffective, 22 unknown; cure rate 86.67%. [Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1987, 8(1):35]
2) Candidiasis: 15–20 g Radix Rubiae decocted, one dose daily, morning and evening, for 12–42 days. Treated 4 digestive tract candidiasis and 1 bronchopulmonary candidiasis, all cured. [Journal of Practical Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1991, 4(5):312]
3) Peripheral neuritis: 60 g Radix Rubiae soaked in 1000 ml white wine for 1 week, filtered, 30–50 ml taken twice daily for 2 weeks per course; 39 cases treated, all cured. [Chinese Rural Doctor, 1994, (6):9]
4) Leukopenia: 30 g Radix Rubiae decoction, one dose daily for 7 days per course, adjusted per symptoms; 32 cases treated, total effective rate 100%. [Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2000, 21(3):102]
5) Chronic conjunctivitis: 214 cases treated with Radix Rubiae eye drops, 48 cases control with conventional antibiotic eye drops; after 3 courses, efficacy rates in observation group were 74.51% (marked) and 94.14% (total), control group 38.89% and 66.67%. [Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Ophthalmology, 1996, 6(3):148]
6) Pediatric diarrhea: 50 g Radix Rubiae decocted 30 minutes, cooled to >40°C, child’s feet soaked and massaged until skin reddened (not above ankle), twice daily; 60 cases treated, 55 cured (91.7%), 3 improved (5%), 2 ineffective (3.3%), total effective rate 96.7%. [Henan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002, 17(4):51]
7) Oral thrush: 15–20 g Radix Rubiae decocted, taken morning and evening for 7–14 days until cured. [Chinese Folk Therapy, 2001, 9(8):44]