Tangut dragonhead (ji ru / brag spos)

Dracocephalum tanguticum

Tibetan

Safety information

Toxicity: Low-uncertain at traditional doses; aromatic herb, not fully characterised.

Contraindications: Pregnancy data insufficient.

Interactions: Not well documented.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy data insufficient.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

infusion (aromatic) · aerial parts

Part used: aerial parts

Evidence:Preclinical

powder · aerial parts

Part used: aerial parts

Evidence:Preclinical

pill · aerial parts

Part used: aerial parts

Evidence:Preclinical

decoction · aerial parts

Part used: aerial parts

Traditional use: aromatic herb for liver and stomach heat, indigestion, cough; reputed for altitude/wind complaints

Proposed mechanism: phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid), flavonoids (luteolin/apigenin glycosides), essential oil — antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

altitude complaints liver stomach heat Indigestion / dyspepsia Cough

Nutritional notes

Not nutritional; bioactives are phenolics + essential oil.

Healing traditions

Tibetan

Sources (2)

Weremczuk-Jezyna & Grzegorczyk-Karolak 2025, Molecules (PMID 40363822)
Guo et al. 2022, Front Pharmacol (PMID 35370722)

All sources →