Lianqiancao (Glechoma longituba) is a commonly used herbal medicine and can also be used as a garden groundcover plant

Lianqiancao is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family, commonly known in various places as Huoxuedan, Tougguxiao or Jinqiancao, and is one of the medicinal herbs with a long history of folk use. Its stems are four-angled, slender and creeping, spreading along the ground and rooting at the nodes, and its leaves are kidney-shaped or nearly round with serrated edges, giving off a faint fresh fragrance when rubbed.

In terms of growth habits, Lianqiancao prefers shady and moist environments, and is mostly found under forest canopies, along streams, on field ridges and beside roads. It has low requirements for soil and is relatively strong in adaptability and cold tolerance. Every year in late spring and early summer, it produces small pale purple or blue-purple labiate flowers in the leaf axils, and when grown in patches it has a quite wild charm.

In terms of applications, Lianqiancao is used medicinally as the whole plant. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it to have effects such as clearing heat and draining dampness, promoting urination and treating strangury, and dissipating blood stasis and reducing swelling, and it is often used for conditions such as damp-heat jaundice, urinary tract stones and traumatic injuries. In addition, because the plant is low-growing and spreads quickly, it can also be used as a groundcover plant under courtyard trees, or grown in flower pots for ornamental purposes.

When cultivating Lianqiancao, it is advisable to choose a semi-shaded, moist position with good drainage, and to keep the soil slightly moist during the growing season, avoiding prolonged waterlogging that can cause root rot. Propagation can be done by dividing the creeping stems or by cuttings, and it takes root quite easily. It should be specially noted that there are many cases of plants sharing the same name but being different species on the market; Lianqiancao and the Primulaceae plant Guluohuang (also called Jinqiancao) have similar names but different origins, so the variety should be clearly distinguished before use, and a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner should be consulted when necessary.