Snow lotus
Saussurea laniceps(?)
Other names: gangs lha me tog / 'snow lotus', Snow lotus
Photo credit: Prateek (Talk)
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Not well characterized; treat as uncertain. Some traditional snow-lotus 'wines' are alcoholic preparations (flag the alcohol, not the plant).
Contraindications: Pregnancy (traditional use for gynaecological/menstrual action implies possible uterine activity — avoid); insufficient safety data generally.
Interactions: Not well documented; insufficient data.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid — possible uterine activity.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
decoction/powder/wine extract · whole flowering herb
Part used: whole flowering herb
Traditional use: high-altitude remedy for 'cold/wind' disorders, rheumatic joint pain, gynaecological complaints, tonic
Proposed mechanism: Flavonoids (rutin, hispidulin-type), lignans, sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides — anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (preclinical)
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not nutritional; bioactives are flavonoids/lignans/sesquiterpene lactones.
Healing traditions
Sources (1)
- Zhang et al. 2026, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 41067327)