Lysimachia

botanical
Take on an empty stomach

What is it

Lysimachia (commonly Lysimachia christinae, jin qian cao or 'gold coin grass') is a creeping perennial used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is best known for traditional use in urinary and biliary stone conditions.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Kidney stones (urolithiasis) and gallstones (traditional use)

Mixed

Small Chinese-language trials and traditional use support these applications, but trials are typically low quality, often use combination formulas, and the evidence is inconsistent.

Urinary tract symptoms

Mixed

Traditional use; no high-quality controlled human trials support specific efficacy.

How it works

The herb contains flavonoids (notably quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol derivatives), phenolic acids, and triterpenoid saponins. In preclinical models, extracts have shown choleretic activity (increased bile flow), diuretic effects, and modest in vitro inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal formation, providing a plausible mechanistic basis for traditional stone-related use. Clinical evidence is largely from small Chinese-language trials, often of combination formulas, evaluating effects on kidney stones, gallstones, and chronic urinary symptoms. Methodologic quality varies and findings are not consistently positive.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional doses of dried herb are 15-30 g per day as a decoction, or 6-12 g of dried extract. Capsules and liquid extracts vary; follow product labeling.

When and how to take it

Traditionally taken between meals or before meals, in 2-3 divided doses through the day. Adequate fluid intake is recommended alongside use for urinary applications.

2 commercial forms

Dried herb (jin qian cao)

Flavonoid and saponin absorption is generally moderate.

Traditional preparation, usually combined with other herbs in TCM formulas.

Liquid extract or capsules

Concentration of marker flavonoids varies by manufacturer.

More convenient than decoction.

Safety

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses. Side effects can include mild GI upset, increased urination, and rarely allergic skin reactions.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. People with chronic kidney disease, electrolyte abnormalities, or on diuretics should consult a clinician. Existing kidney or gallbladder stones may move during therapy and warrant clinical supervision.

Interactions

Possible additive effects with diuretic medications. Theoretical interactions with medications metabolized through bile flow alteration; clinical relevance is unclear.

Frequently asked questions

Will Lysimachia dissolve my kidney stones?⌄

Evidence is limited. Traditional use suggests it may help small stones pass; large or obstructive stones require medical evaluation.

How long is it typically used?⌄

For acute stone-related complaints, courses of a few weeks are common. Long-term continuous use is not well studied.

References

  • Lysimachia on Wikidata — Wikidata link
  • Lysimachia on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on Lysimachia (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Lysimachia with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.