Cirsium japonicum (Cirsium japonicum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Cirsium japonicum work to stop bleeding?

Cirsium japonicum primarily works through its flavonoid constituents, such as pectolinarin and luteolin, which promote hemostasis. These compounds help constrict blood vessels and accelerate blood coagulation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to resolve blood stasis and stop bleeding. While traditional use is well-documented, modern pharmacological mechanisms are largely based on in vitro and animal studies (Evidence Level C), suggesting an ability to shorten bleeding time and reduce vascular permeability.

Can I take Cirsium japonicum with blood thinners?

No, you should generally avoid Cirsium japonicum if you are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Because this herb possesses hemostatic properties designed to stop bleeding, it may antagonize the effects of blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin. This interaction could lead to reduced efficacy of your medication or unpredictable changes in blood clotting. Always consult a physician before combining this herb with anticoagulants (Evidence Level C/D).

What is the recommended dosage for Cirsium japonicum?

The standard adult dosage for Cirsium japonicum is typically 9 to 15 grams of the dried herb daily, usually prepared as a decoction. For standardized extracts, a common dosage is approximately 300 mg per day. Dosage may vary depending on whether it is being used for bleeding disorders, hypertension, or liver conditions. It is important to adhere to recommended limits to avoid potential gastrointestinal side effects.

Is Cirsium japonicum safe to use during pregnancy?

No, Cirsium japonicum is considered unsafe during pregnancy. Due to its active compounds and strong effects on blood circulation and stasis, it may stimulate uterine contractions or interfere with healthy blood flow to the fetus. Pregnant individuals should avoid this herb and seek alternative treatments for bleeding or liver issues. Safety data is limited, so the general recommendation is strict avoidance (Safety Rating: Unsafe).

What is Cirsium japonicum used for?

Cirsium japonicum is traditionally used to treat bleeding disorders, such as hematemesis and hematuria, as well as conditions related to blood stasis. It is also utilized for hypertension, liver ailments, and skin infections like boils. The herb contains active compounds like pectolinarin and apigenin. While these uses are supported by traditional application and preliminary pharmacological studies (Evidence Level C), robust clinical trials in humans are currently lacking.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Cirsium japonicum is a medicinal and edible perennial herb from the Asteraceae family used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and antioxidant properties [PMID:42323062, PMID:39815341].

Background

Cirsium japonicum (C. japonicum) is a perennial herbaceous species within the genus Cirsium of the Asteraceae family [PMID:42323062]. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is found in Asia [PMID:42323062, PMID:39815341].

Traditional uses

It is traditionally recognized for cooling the blood to arrest bleeding, dissipating blood stasis, and detoxifying to reduce swelling, and is commonly employed to treat hemorrhagic conditions, sores, and abscesses [PMID:42323062]. It has also been used as a diuretic, antiphlogistic, hemostatic, and detoxifying agent [PMID:28735729], and in the treatment of diabetes and inflammatory symptoms [PMID:25025240].

Active compounds

The plant contains flavonoids including cirsimaritin [PMID:36139916], luteolin [PMID:30759846], apigenin [PMID:35408493], linarin, and pectolinarin [PMID:36837843]. Other identified compounds include chlorogenic acid [PMID:36837843], polyacetylenes (cirussurynes A-H) [PMID:35850259], phenylpropanoid glycosides [PMID:27308841], and silychristin, taxifolin, and silydianin [PMID:37836767].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include the suppression of NLRP3 and HIF1α pathways in lung injury [PMID:40064116], inhibition of Hif-2α expression to reduce cartilage destruction [PMID:31148341], and activation of PPARγ to enhance glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation [PMID:22687475]. It also acts via the intermedin/nitric oxide pathway to improve cardiac function [PMID:29525674] and utilizes SKN-1/Nrf2 and DAF-16/FOXO pathways to resist oxidative stress [PMID:36837843].

Clinical evidence

Evidence BSkin Aging

Flower extract (CFE) inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reduced carbonylated proteins [PMID:35408493].

Evidence DMetabolic Dysfunction/Diabetes

Extracts reduced body weight, fat mass, blood glucose, and improved insulin sensitivity in db/db mice [PMID:39815341]; cirsimaritin and extracts reduced hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in HFD-induced MAFLD mice [PMID:34760237].

Evidence DAlzheimer's Disease/Cognitive Impairment

Ethyl acetate fraction (ECJM) improved spatial memory and learning abilities in Aβ 25-35-induced mice by inhibiting oxidative stress [PMID:35036433].

Evidence DAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Leaf extract (CJE) attenuated LPS-induced lung injury, reducing alveolar wall thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration [PMID:40064116].

Evidence DHemostasis

Extracts significantly shortened coagulation and bleeding time in rabbit trauma models [PMID:38731410].

Evidence D

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with one clinical study on skin aging (Level B). Most data support anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic benefits.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 42323062 (2026) — Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC.: A review of ethnomedicine, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 35850259 (2022) — Polyacetylenes from the roots of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense. · Phytochemistry
3.PMID: 36139916 (2022) — The Current State of Knowledge in Biological Properties of Cirsimaritin. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 30759846 (2019) — Korean Thistle (Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum.): A Potential Dietary Supplement against Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 35408493 (2022) — Effect of Cirsium japonicum Flower Extract on Skin Aging Induced by Glycation. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cirsium japonicum

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Cirsium japonicum