Hooke's pincushion
Pterocephalus hookeri
Other names: bang ren / 'Bangrenqingbu', Hooke's pincushion
Tibetan
Photo credit: M.S. del., J.N.Fitch lith.
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Not well characterized → uncertain; some iridoid-rich Plateau herbs can be hepatotoxic in excess, so caution.
Contraindications: Insufficient data; pregnancy not established.
Interactions: Not documented.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Not established.
Evidence level
Preclinical
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
decoction/powder/pill · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
Traditional use: 'heat-clearing'/anti-inflammatory for colds, fever, inflammatory/rheumatic complaints
Proposed mechanism: Iridoid/triterpenoid constituents (LC-MS metabolomics of aerial vs underground parts); largely preclinical anti-inflammatory
Evidence:Preclinical
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not nutritional.
Healing traditions
Tibetan
Sources (1)
- Luo et al. 2026, Molecules (PMID 42280170)