Mao Dong Qing (Ilex pubescens): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Mao Dong Qing work for cardiovascular conditions?

Mao Dong Qing contains active compounds including ilexsaponins, pedunculoside, ursolic acid, and flavonoids that contribute to its cardiovascular effects. These compounds demonstrate anticoagulant activity and help improve blood circulation by reducing blood stasis. The herb appears to promote vasodilation and inhibit platelet aggregation, which may explain its traditional use for angina and thrombotic conditions. The saponins and flavonoids are believed to be the primary constituents responsible for its blood-moving properties. Evidence Level: C.

Can I take Mao Dong Qing with blood thinners like warfarin?

No, Mao Dong Qing should not be combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. The herb possesses inherent anticoagulant properties that can potentiate the effects of blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin. This combination significantly increases bleeding risk and is contraindicated. Patients taking any anticoagulant medication should avoid Mao Dong Qing entirely and consult their healthcare provider about alternative treatments. Evidence Level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for Mao Dong Qing?

Traditional dosage for Mao Dong Qing is 15-60 grams of dried root prepared as a decoction, taken daily. For standardized extracts, the typical dosage is 1 gram taken twice daily. Dosage varies based on the specific condition being treated, patient constitution, and formulation type. This herb should only be used under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner or healthcare provider familiar with its cardiovascular effects and safety profile. Evidence Level: Traditional.

Is Mao Dong Qing safe during pregnancy?

No, Mao Dong Qing is contraindicated during pregnancy. As a herb with significant blood-moving and anticoagulant properties, it poses serious risks including potential bleeding complications and may adversely affect pregnancy maintenance. The herb is traditionally classified as unsafe for pregnant women. Women who are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or breastfeeding should avoid Mao Dong Qing entirely. Evidence Level: Traditional/Contraindicated.

What is Mao Dong Qing used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Mao Dong Qing is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for cardiovascular conditions including angina pectoris, recovery from thrombotic stroke, and blood stasis syndromes affecting the heart and vessels. It is valued for its ability to invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis. The herb may also support peripheral circulation and address conditions characterized by poor blood flow. Clinical evidence supporting these traditional uses is limited. Evidence Level: C.

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

Mao Dong Qing (Ilex pubescens) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used primarily for cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory conditions [PMID:31401319, PMID:34537280].

Background

Ilex pubescens, known in Chinese as Mao-Dong-Qing, is a plant distributed in southern China whose roots and stems are utilized for medicinal purposes [PMID:31401319].

Traditional uses

It is used in traditional Chinese medicine for clearing heat, detoxifying, activating blood circulation, and dispelling stasis [PMID:31401319]. Specific applications include treating wind-heat cold, lung-heat asthma, pharyngeal and gingival swelling and pain, thoracic obstruction, cardiodynia, stroke, hemiplegia, thromboangiitis obliterans, burns, scalds, and central retinitis [PMID:31401319].

Active compounds

The plant contains triterpene saponins (including ilexsaponins A1, G, H, I-O, and ilexpublesnins A, B, N-R), phenolic glycosides (pubescenosides A, D, L-Y, and ilexpubsides A and B), and iridoid glycosides such as nuezhenide [PMID:25082209, PMID:24910001, PMID:31400482, PMID:32162545, PMID:32525787, PMID:39916296, PMID:40849001, PMID:41772394, PMID:32525787].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include the inhibition of the lncRNA Hmga2-as1/Sox10/GPX4 axis to attenuate ferroptosis [PMID:42143464], upregulation of macrophage-derived itaconic acid [PMID:39357647], and targeting of GSK-3β to prevent HK2 dissociation and promote mitophagy [PMID:39916296]. Other actions include binding to TLR4 to modulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB/MAPK pathways [PMID:40976624], and regulating the PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway to promote blood circulation [PMID:35728385].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DMyocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (MIRI)

Pubescenoside C and Pubescenoside D demonstrate cardioprotective effects and reduce myocardial infarction in animal and in vitro models [PMID:39357647, PMID:39916296].

Evidence DChronic Heart Failure (CHF)

Ilex pubescens is a component of traditional formulas (Jin-Xin-Kang and Xinyin tablets) used to alleviate CHF by modulating mitochondrial function and the HDAC3-mediated PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway [PMID:39127116, PMID:40122315].

Evidence DUlcerative Colitis (UC)

Pubescenoside A reduces disease activity index, ameliorates colorectal stenosis, and suppresses pro-inflammatory factors via Keap1 targeting in mice [PMID:40849001].

Evidence DThromboangiitis Obliterans (TAO)

Ilex pubescens demonstrates vascular protective effects and improves plasma coagulation parameters in rat models [PMID:38763010].

Evidence DAcute Lung Injury (ALI)

Jasurolignoside attenuates inflammatory symptoms by binding to TLR4 in vitro and in vivo [PMID:40976624].

Evidence D

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal models (Level D), focusing on anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. There is a lack of high-level clinical trial data (Level A or B) provided in the abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 39357647 (2025) — Pharmacological upregulation of macrophage-derived itaconic acid by pubescenoside C attenuated myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. · Journal of advanced research
2.PMID: 42143464 (2026) — Triterpene saponin from Ilex pubescens attenuates ferroptosis in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the lncRNA Hmga2-as1/Sox10/GPX4 axis. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3.PMID: 39127116 (2024) — Jin-Xin-Kang alleviates heart failure by mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction through the Calcineurin/Dynamin-Related Protein 1 signaling pathway. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 31401319 (2019) — Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Ilex pubescens Hook et Arn. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 25082209 (2014)

Mao Dong Qing

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Mao Dong Qing