Beijing Grass: Thailand's Popular Anticancer Herb and Its Curious Absence from Traditional Chinese Medicine Literature

Another greeting from Master Luo,

Today we're talking about "Beijing Grass" or "Ox Yoke Grass"

What research says, and what research has never said

In Thailand, few herbs have been passed down with as much hope as Beijing Grass (北京草). This plant has another name in Thailand — "Lingzhi Grass" (灵芝草). For decades, it has been given free of charge to cancer patients, grown in pots in backyards of families waiting for miracles, and shared in Line groups with the most powerful phrase in the world — "There is research supporting it."

That sentence is not wrong, but it is incomplete. And when it comes to people's health, "incomplete information" can be just as dangerous as "wrong information." This article is not written to destroy hope, but to draw a clear line between what science has actually proven — what is supported by authoritative texts such as medical textbooks, Chinese herbal medicine classics, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) academic literature — and what we wish were true.

Aside from the information about Beijing Grass itself, this article will also help you better understand how to read news related to Chinese herbs, herbal treatments, or alternative medicine.

3 Things You Must Know Before Reading

1. Beijing Grass is not a cancer cure

There is currently no human clinical research confirming that Beijing Grass can treat cancer. All findings are only at the level of in vitro cell experiments and animal studies. Even if there is recognition in TCM classics, that pertains to certain tumors or malignant conditions, or as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment protocol. It does not mean that this herb can be consumed or taken as a drink to cure cancer.

2. Do not use it as a substitute for or delay mainstream treatment

Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are evidence-based treatments. Waiting to see the effects of herbal medicine may cause patients to lose their most critical time — meaning standard treatment may be delayed while using herbs that lack clear medical validation.

3. Always inform your doctor when using herbs

Because certain herbal properties may interact with the modern medications you are taking. This is not an ordinary illness; we are talking about cancer or tumor treatment, and most patients choose modern medicine as their primary treatment route. Kidney disease patients or those with a history of kidney stones must be especially cautious (reasons explained in Part 4).

What Beijing Grass Really Has

Let's start with the good news, because it does exist and is more interesting than many people think.

Beijing Grass, scientific name Murdannia loriformis, belongs to the Commelinaceae family (duckweed family). Thai researchers have shown interest in it for a long time. The Faculty of Pharmacy at Mahidol University recorded that research on Beijing Grass received support from Mahidol University (1989–1994), the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (1999–2000), the Department of Medical Sciences (2003), Chiang Mai University, and the National Cancer Institute¹.

The key active compound discovered is Glycosphingolipid, specifically known as G1b². Here is what research has actually found:

In vitro experiments: The glycosphingolipid isolated from Beijing Grass showed cytotoxicity against breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values of 8, 14.5, 12, and 25 µg/mL respectively³.

Immunological effects: The fresh juice and purified substances stimulated the proliferation of PBMC lymphocytes and increased the CD3,4:CD3,8 ratio in T-lymphocytes⁴ (beneficial to the immune system).

Animal experiments: The extract showed anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects⁵, protected against gastric ulcers⁶, and inhibited aflatoxin-induced mutagenesis⁷.

In plain language: Beijing Grass is not a fraud. It is a Chinese herb containing real active compounds, with real research published in international journals. Anyone who says "this herb has no effect at all" would also be incorrect.

No Herb Named "Beijing Grass" in TCM Classics

Using the name "Beijing Grass" (named after China's capital) or the Thai translation "Lingzhi Grass" may lead many to believe this is some kind of ancient, premier Chinese herbal formula.

The truth is: "Beijing Grass" and "Lingzhi Grass" are Thai colloquial names, not names found in TCM classics. The official name in the Chinese pharmacopoeia is Ox Yoke Grass (牛轭草 — Niú'è Cǎo). Its synonyms include Red Thatch Grass (红茅草 — Hóng Máo Cǎo) and Ground Blue Flower (地蓝花 — Dì Lán Huā). In the Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica (Sichuan Zhongyao Zhi), it is called Narrow-leaved Water Bamboo Leaf (狭叶水竹叶 — Xiá Yè Shuǐ Zhú Yè).

What TCM Classics Record

The Chinese Materia Medica (Zhonghua Bencao), a standard reference text, records the following:

Ox Yoke Grass (牛轭草), which Thai people call Beijing Grass, is a herb with cold nature (寒 — hán), sweet taste (甘 — gān), bland taste (淡 — dàn), and slightly bitter taste (微苦 — wēi kǔ). Its actions are:

1. Clearing heat and stopping cough (清热止咳 — qīng rè zhǐ ké)

2. Detoxifying (解毒 — jiě dú)

3. Promoting diuresis (利尿 — lì niào)

Indications include:

• High fever in children (小儿高热 — xiǎo'ér gāo rè)

• Lung-heat cough (肺热咳嗽 — fèi rè ké sòu)

• Red, swollen, and painful eyes (目赤肿痛 — mù chì zhǒng tòng)

• Heat dysentery (热痢 — rè lì)

• Boils and abscesses (疮痈肿毒 — chuāng yōng zhǒng dú)

• Heat strangury (热淋 — rè lín) and difficult urination (小便不利 — xiǎo biàn bù lì)

Administration: decocted for internal use (煎汤内服 — jiān tāng nèi fú), 15–30g per dose; or externally as a poultice (捣敷 — dǎo fū)¹¹.

Examining Beijing Grass's recorded actions through the lens of modern research or Western medicine, there is no record whatsoever of "treating cancer" (癌症 — áizhèng) or "tumor" (肿瘤 — zhǒngliú).

Within the TCM framework, Ox Yoke Grass belongs to the "clear heat and detoxify" (清热解毒 — qīng rè jiě dú) category. This is a large group containing hundreds of herbs, used for acute heat conditions such as fever, cough, sores, and red eyes. It is a common herb, not a miraculous cure-all or a direct cancer treatment.

The anti-cancer reputation appears to stem from folk use that developed in Thailand itself over recent decades, combined with research projects recognized or funded by various Thai institutions.

TCM Compound Formulas Using Ox Yoke Grass (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica)

To better understand how Chinese medicine uses this herb, refer to the Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica (Sichuan Zhongyao Zhi), 1982 edition, which records three compound formulas (using the name Narrow-leaved Water Bamboo Leaf — 狭叶水竹叶)¹²:

Formula 1: For lung-heat cough with copious thick yellow phlegm (肺热咳嗽，痰多黄稠):

• Ox Yoke Grass (牛轭草) 12g

• Pig Bristle Grass (猪鬃草) 12g

• Ground Cabbage (地白菜) 12g

• Snake's Mantle (蛇含) 12g

• Auspicious Grass (吉祥草) 30g

• Decoction for oral administration

Formula 2: For boils, swellings, and toxic sores (痈肿疔毒):

• Ox Yoke Grass and Purple-flowered Violet (紫花地丁) — appropriate amounts

• Pounded and applied externally

Formula 3: For heat strangury with scanty and dark urine (热淋，小便短赤):

• Ox Yoke Grass 15g

• Water Lantern Heart (水灯心) 15g

• Plantain Herb (车前草) 15g

• Dandelion (蒲公英) 15g

• Decoction for oral administration

All three formulas address cough, sores, and strangury — all common acute heat conditions. None of the formulas is related to tumors or cancer.

These formulas are presented as academic evidence of how TCM texts use this herb, not as instructions for self-preparation in hopes of achieving anti-cancer effects.

The use of Chinese herbs must be guided by TCM pattern differentiation/diagnosis (辨证 — biànzhèng) by a qualified TCM practitioner, because the same herb may benefit one person and harm another.

This point requires great caution. The thousands-year-old TCM academic system tightly links herbs to specific conditions in specific individuals. A particular herb may help reduce fever and cough in one person, given their baseline constitution, associated symptoms, and the season or timing — but if the timing changes, symptoms change, or the person changes, it may instead worsen symptoms or delay recovery.

To use herbs effectively, one should follow this system that has been accumulated and passed down through generations. This differs from Western medicine's universal approach, which holds that regardless of who, season, or time, if a drug has certain properties, it should produce the same effect in everyone. This is both a strength and a defining difference, which is why both medical systems should be used with proper understanding of their systems, appropriately matched to different patients.

Similarly, one cannot categorically conclude that Beijing Grass has no role in alleviating cancer, simply because human trials haven't been conducted or texts do not explicitly record "treats cancer/tumors."

This is because TCM often uses formulas containing heat-clearing, detoxifying, sore-dispelling herbs to assist or alleviate tumor/cancer symptoms. These formulas are composed so that each herb helps the others, enhances effects, and reduces unwanted effects for the patient's well-being.

Precautions in TCM Classics for Ox Yoke Grass

Because this herb is cold in nature, those with "spleen-stomach deficiency cold" (脾胃虚寒 — pí wèi xū hán) — meaning weak digestive and absorptive function, manifesting as abdominal bloating, loose stools, cold hands and feet, poor appetite — should not take it frequently or in large amounts, as it will further weaken digestive function¹¹.

"Weakening digestive function" is a crucial phrase to remember, because in reality, beyond digestion, it also relates to important nutrient metabolism, nutrient absorption, and the function of certain organs associated with "spleen-stomach" in TCM, such as the heart, lungs, and brain.

TCM holds that everything is interconnected and affects everything else. Some TCM terms that seem like ordinary words are actually not ordinary at all — "spleen-stomach" (脾胃) refers not only to the spleen and stomach organs, but also to the digestive-absorptive system, yin-yang energy, and the meridian system.

The Unmentioned Gap

Now we arrive at the point that changes everything. Re-read the words that appear repeatedly above — "in vitro" and "in animal models."

This means: there is still no human or clinical research.

The most comprehensive academic review of Beijing Grass was published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2021. It frankly concluded that the available data remain insufficient and that more in vitro, animal, and clinical studies are needed⁸.

The term "Clinical Study" is the key determinant on this issue. When you choose to believe or use any Thai or Chinese herb because it is said to have "reliable research," you must carefully read or verify: at what level was that research conducted? A "clinical study" means an actual human trial with control groups and systematic outcome measurement. This is the stage that separates "substances that kill cancer cells in a Petri dish" from "drugs that can actually treat people."

And Beijing Grass research has not yet reached that stage.

What You Really Need to Understand

There are thousands of substances that can kill cancer cells in a Petri dish — frankly, dishwashing detergent can do it too.

The real challenge is not killing cancer cells, but killing them without killing the patient, and proving that it can actually reach the tumor in the body at sufficient concentration.

That is why cancer drugs must go through multiple phases of human trials.

What Thai Government Agencies Say (This is the Most Important Part)

Thailand's Anti-Fake News Center and the National Cancer Institute (Department of Medical Services) have clearly announced that the shared information claiming Beijing Grass can treat cancer is false information, stating that there is still no clinical research evidence clearly confirming that Beijing Grass can treat human cancer. All findings are only at the laboratory cell level and require further study⁹.

The Director of the National Cancer Institute warned with a statement that should be read slowly: "Believing unverified information may lead to public misunderstanding and may reduce the opportunity for standard medical treatment" ¹⁰.

This is the true cost of life — not money spent on herbs, but time — the time of early-stage patients who could be cured, which may be wasted on observing whether "Beijing Grass fresh juice, as believed in Thailand, will work for one's own cancer."

The Second Contradiction: Kidney Issues

As mentioned in the introduction, this is the part that is almost never mentioned in Thai media supporting Beijing Grass.

On social media and online platforms, Beijing Grass is shared as a "kidney-nourishing" herb, even used for pets with kidney disease. But research points in the opposite direction.

Composition analysis found that Ox Yoke Grass leaves contain Oxalate at levels as high as 89.50 ppm per gram of dry weight. The review authors clearly stated: Because this plant is consumed fresh or brewed as tea, further research on oxalate safety is warranted, as high oxalate levels carry a risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone formation⁸.

This does not mean that eating it will instantly cause stones, but it means that those who should be most careful are kidney disease patients, those with a history of stones or being treated for stones, and those who take it continuously in large amounts — which happens to be exactly the group most encouraged to take it.

Additionally, some studies found that high-concentration extracts actually suppressed T-cell and B-cell division, which contradicts the familiar image of "immune enhancement." The review authors thus concluded that the immunotoxic effects of this extract require further study ⁸.

In summary, this herb may have beneficial effects on the immune system, but later research tells us: good things, taken in inappropriate amounts or in excess, are not always good.

When using or taking herbs, one must be highly aware of this, because TCM pharmacopeia also emphasizes it:

• Coptis (黄连 — Huánglián) in appropriate amounts helps sleep and relieves stress, but in excess may cause dizziness, fainting, or insomnia.

• Rhubarb (大黄 — Dàhuáng) in appropriate amounts relaxes muscles, promotes intestinal motility, relieves neck/shoulder tension, or aids bowel movements, but in excess may cause intestinal bleeding, damage to vital organs, brain fatigue or weakness, or affect vision.

• Ginseng (人参 — Rénshēn) in appropriate amounts tonifies Qi; when Qi is sufficient, blood is sufficient, the mind is clear, and the body is energetic. However, in excess or long-term use, it may cause numbness, adversely affect heart disease patients, burden the kidneys, or affect leg movement, stretching, and walking in the elderly, because ginseng, if used improperly, may adversely affect the liver, tendons, and muscles.

TCM Proverbs Worth Remembering

"大黄救人无功，人参杀人无过"(Dàhuáng jiù rén wú gōng, Rénshēn shā rén wú guò)

Meaning: "Rhubarb saves lives but gets no credit; ginseng may kill silently but no one questions its fault."

• Rhubarb (大黄) is an inexpensive, bitter, cold-natured laxative. Used correctly — with the right timing, right condition, right person — it can save a life. But people do not appreciate it because it is bitter and causes uncomfortable diarrhea.

• Ginseng (人参) is an expensive tonic. If used on the wrong person, it can be fatal, but people do not blame the ginseng, nor do they suspect that their worsening health or illness might be due to improper ginseng use — because it is a "tonic."

This reflects the common health bias: people love tonics and dislike purgatives/laxatives.

A similar saying is: "黄连救人无功，人参杀人无过" (replacing rhubarb with coptis) — both have the same meaning.

Memorable TCM Medication Maxims

1. From Zheng Qinan's Treatise on Cold Damage (伤寒恒论)

"昧者不明阴阳底蕴，畏姜附视若砒霜"

Meaning: "Those who do not understand the foundation of yin and yang fear dried ginger and aconite as if they were arsenic."

This means people judge medication by appearances, not by whether it suits the condition. This is also a warning to physicians — many TCM practitioners, seeing both the effects and toxicity of dried ginger (whether fresh or dry) or aconite (fuzi), often become afraid and dare not use it or use it in sufficient dosage. Yet sometimes if the dosage is insufficient, the disease will not improve or heal — it does not necessarily mean the prescription is wrong or the formula is inappropriate.

2. From Mo Meishi's Study of Classics - On Medication II (研经言·用药论二)

"凡药能逐邪者，皆能伤正；能补虚者，皆能留邪"

Meaning: "Any medicine that can expel pathogens can also harm the body's upright qi; any medicine that can tonify deficiency can also retain pathogens."

This is an excellent saying because it tells us: There is no such thing as a medicine that has only benefits and no drawbacks.

3. From Zhang Jingyue's Four Pillars of Medicines (药中四维)

"人参、熟地者，治世之良相也；附子、大黄者，乱世之良将也"

Meaning: "Ginseng and prepared rehmannia are the good ministers of peaceful times; aconite and rhubarb (considered highly toxic) are the good generals of turbulent times, capable of going to war to defend the country."

As mentioned earlier, TCM treats people based on timing — different times, same disease, same person, same symptoms may require different treatments and different medicines.

Conclusion: What Should We Do with Beijing Grass?

The answer is not "throw it away" nor is it "just take it, it won't hurt, it's fine."

The answer is to put this herb (or any other herb) in its proper place.

What Beijing Grass Is:

• A medicinal plant containing interesting active compounds

• Has potential for further research

• Is a hope for Thai pharmacology that deserves support to advance to clinical research

• It does not have this name in TCM classics; its real name is Ox Yoke Grass. Be cautious of any promotion of herbs that renames them beautifully or inventively to make them sound credible — verify whether they truly possess those properties. This herb is sometimes called "Fairy Grass" or "Lingzhi Grass" in Thailand, but no such herb exists in TCM classics by that name.

• 
  

What Beijing Grass Is Not:

• Not a cancer cure

• Should not be used to replace or delay standard modern medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or proper cancer treatment that should actually be given to save patients' lives

Safest Practice Guidelines for Patients and Families (For Cancer or Tumors)

1. Do not stop or delay mainstream treatment — whether surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy — to wait for herbal effects.

2. Choose food as medicine — find foods, vegetables, and fruits that help alleviate side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy until treatment is completed. If you seriously want to use herbs, consult a doctor who truly understands herbs.

3. Always tell your doctor what herbs you are using, because certain herbs may affect chemotherapy drugs. In my experience, most Western-trained doctors in Thailand advise against taking Chinese herbs or acupuncture during treatment. Patients should choose the most suitable healthcare facility, doctor, or treatment plan.

4. Be especially cautious if you have kidney disease, history of stones, heart disease, or are taking medications that affect kidneys, stones, urination, or heart function.

5. Be wary of the word "cure" — every time you see this word paired with herbs and cancer, be suspicious first, then do serious research for yourself and your family.

The Value of Good Intentions

Good intentions, compassion, and kindness are admirable. When combined with truth, care, and precision, they become even more beautiful, praiseworthy, and beneficial to all.

• Those who have distributed Beijing Grass free to patients for decades act out of compassion — this deserves praise.

• Those who share it in Line groups do so out of love for family or care for society — this also deserves appreciation.

But in the case of cancer, well-intentioned actions without evidence can deprive our loved ones of their most precious time.

True respect for herbal wisdom is not believing everything that is passed along, but using it with knowledge. Almost every traditional Thai household used to have a family pharmacopoeia passed down through generations, just as Chinese families have clan genealogies, herbal manuals, and dietary recipes. We should use them with awareness of their value, benefits, and risks, while pushing for serious research to the point of verification.

So that one day, we can speak of herbs with confidence, not just with hope.

That is the respect and love we can offer both the herbs and the people who are ill.

Have you ever received information about herbs treating serious diseases from someone who meant well? And how did you handle it — believe, reject, or seek verification? Feel free to share in the comments, because perhaps this conversation might help someone who is in the middle of making a decision.

#BeijingGrass#MurdanniaLoriformis#HerbsAndCancer#EvidenceBasedBelief#DontDelayMainstreamTreatment

Footnotes and References

¹ "Beijing Grass" knowledge article, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University (pharmacy.mahidol.ac.th) — lists supporting institutions and years

² Jiratchariyakul W. et al. "Investigation of anticancer components from Murdannia loriformis." Thai Journal of Pharmacology (1998)

³ Jiratchariyakul W. et al. and Koontongkaew S. et al. — cytotoxicity against breast, colon, lung, and liver cancer cells, IC₅₀ at 8, 14.5, 12, 25 µg/mL respectively (cited in Che Sulaiman et al., 2021)

⁴ Jiratchariyakul W. et al. "Immunomodulatory effect and quantitation of a cytotoxic glycosphingolipid from Murdannia loriformis." Journal of Natural Medicines 60(3): 210–216 (2006)

⁵ Kunnaja P. et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of the ethanol extract from Murdannia loriformis." BioImpacts (2014) — animal study

⁶ Kunnaja P. et al. "Evaluation of gastroprotective potential of the ethanol extract from Murdannia loriformis in rats." (2015)

⁷ Vinitketkumnuen U. et al., Mutation Research (1999) and Intiyot Y. et al., Journal of Medical Investigation (2002) — antimutagenic effects in mice

⁸ Che Sulaiman I.S., Mohamad A., Ahmed O.H. "Murdannia loriformis: A Review of Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Contemporary Application, and Toxicology." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021), DOI: 10.1155/2021/9976202 — the most comprehensive review, noting insufficient data, oxalate content of 89.50 ppm/g, and concerns about immunosuppressive effects at high concentrations

⁹ "Fake News, Do Not Share! Beijing Grass Fresh Leaf Juice for Lymphatic Cancer" — Anti-Fake News Center Thailand in collaboration with National Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Services (antifakenewscenter.com)

¹⁰ "Fake News: Duckweed and Beijing Grass Treat Cancer" — Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, published via Hfocus.org (2020), by Dr. Somsak Akkasilp, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, and Dr. Jinda Rojanametin, Director of the National Cancer Institute

¹¹ Chinese Materia Medica (Zhonghua Bencao), entry for "Ox Yoke Grass" (牛轭草) — records cold nature, sweet/bland/slightly bitter taste, actions of clearing heat, stopping cough, detoxifying, diuresis; indications: pediatric high fever, lung-heat cough, red swollen painful eyes, heat dysentery, boils and abscesses, heat strangury, difficult urination; internal use: decoction 15–30g; external use: appropriate amount, pounded for application — original text: 「性寒，味甘、淡、微苦；清热止咳；解毒；利尿。主小儿高热；肺热咳嗽；目赤肿痛；热痢；疮痈肿毒；热淋；小便不利。内服：煎汤，15-30g。外用：适量，捣敷」 (cited via Chinese herb databases zysj.com.cn and zhzyw.com) — caution for spleen-stomach deficiency cold; standard principle for cold-natured herbs in Chinese pharmacy

¹² Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica (Sichuan Zhongyao Zhi), 1982 edition — records: 「清热，解毒，利尿。用于肺热咳嗽，目赤肿痛，疮疖肿毒，热淋，小便不利」 (clears heat, detoxifies, promotes diuresis; used for lung-heat cough, red swollen painful eyes, boils and abscesses, heat strangury, difficult urination), with three compound formulas, listed under the name "Narrow-leaved Water Bamboo Leaf" (狭叶水竹叶 — scientific name Murdannia loriformis) — none of the three formulas relates to cancer