Jinqiancao Baiye Tang: Medicinal Soup for Urinary Stones & Health

Introduction to Medicated Diet

Jinqiancao Baiye Tang (Lysimachia christinae and Tripe Soup) is a classic folk medicinal food with a long history, elaborately simmered with Jinqiancao (Lysimachia christinae, Chinese Loosestrife) which clears heat and drains dampness, and Baiye (tripe, either pork or beef tripe) which tonifies deficiency and fortifies the stomach. Jinqiancao is cool in nature, sweet and bland in taste, and enters the Liver (LR), Gallbladder (GB), Kidney (KI), and Bladder (BL) meridians; it has long been an important herb in TCM for treating urinary tract stones. Baiye (tripe) is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and enters the Spleen (SP) and Stomach (ST) meridians; its function is to tonify deficiency and strengthen the spleen and stomach. The combination of the two—one clearing (draining) and one tonifying—employs both attack and supplementation, creating a characteristic soup that possesses both medicinal value and dietary benefits.

This soup has a slightly yellow, clear broth, where the aroma of herbs and meat blend together, offering a rich and savory taste. For those troubled by damp-heat strangury pattern (Lin syndrome) or urinary system calculi, as well as individuals with difficult urination or poor appetite, regular consumption of this soup can provide beneficial auxiliary support. It fully embodies the TCM health philosophy of “medicine and food share the same origin” (yao shi tong yuan), skillfully integrating the therapeutic effects of herbs with the nourishing properties of food, making it a medicinal dietary remedy suitable for all ages—a nourishing therapy that combines treatment with daily care.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The core efficacy of *Jinqiancao Baiye Tang* (Lysimachia christinae and Bovine Omasum Decoction) lies in clearing heat and draining dampness, as well as unblocking painful urinary dribbling and expelling stones. *Jinqiancao* (Lysimachia christinae, Chinese moneywort) strongly clears and drains damp-heat from the lower burner and unblocks the water passage, providing significant relief for conditions such as urinary system calculi, painful urination, and frequent and urgent urination caused by damp-heat pouring downward. *Baiye* (bovine omasum) strengthens the spleen and tonifies deficiency, boosts qi and nourishes blood. While clearing and draining damp-heat, it also protects the healthy qi of the spleen and stomach, preventing excessive attacking from consuming and damaging the original qi, thereby dispelling pathogens without harming the healthy qi.

From a modern nutritional perspective, *Lysimachia christinae* (Moneywort) is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive compounds, exerting anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and calculi-expelling effects. Tripe (Beef Tripe) provides abundant protein, collagen, and various amino acids, which enhance immune function and promote tissue repair. The combination leverages the medicinal value of *Lysimachia christinae* while boosting overall disease resistance through the nourishing properties of tripe, jointly safeguarding the health of the urinary system.

Modern research evidence

Pharmacological studies indicate that *Lysimachia christinae* (moneywort) can significantly increase urine output, reduce the supersaturation of calcium oxalate in urine, effectively inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate stones, and promote the expulsion of already formed small stones. Additionally, *Lysimachia christinae* also possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects, which can alleviate discomfort caused by urinary tract infections. These research findings provide a solid scientific basis for the clinical application of Jinqiancao Baiye Decoction, confirming its unique value in preventing and adjunctively treating urinary tract stones.

Functions of Traditional Chinese Medicine

In TCM theory, Lysimachia christinae (Japanese Pennywort) primarily enters the Liver (LR), Gallbladder (GB), Kidney (KI), and Bladder (BL) meridians. Its nature is cool, slippery, and downward-moving, excelling in the Lower Burner. It can clear Damp-Heat from the Bladder and unblock the Water Passage, making it a key herb for treating Stone Stranguria and Heat Stranguria. For urinary stones, difficult urination, and stabbing urethral pain due to Damp-Heat binding in the Lower Burner, Lysimachia christinae acts directly at the site, clearing Heat, draining Dampness, unblocking Stranguria, and expelling stones—with remarkable efficacy.

Pork or beef tripe (bai ye) primarily enters the Spleen (SP) and Stomach (ST) meridians. It tonifies deficiency and exhaustion, fortifies the Spleen and Stomach, and boosts Qi and Blood. In the Jin Qian Cao Bai Ye Tang (Lysimachia christinae [creeping Jenny] and tripe decoction/soup), tripe serves two functions: first, it supplements and benefits the Spleen and Stomach, supporting the upright Qi (zheng qi), so that the formula can clear and drain damp-heat without damaging the healthy Qi, thus preventing prolonged use of cold-natured medicinal food from injuring the Middle Yang (zhong yang); second, it follows the principle of “like treats like” (yi zang bu zang). In TCM, it is believed that pig stomach (tripe) can supplement the human stomach, and therefore it also has a regulating effect on internal retention of dampness-turbidity caused by Spleen and Stomach deficiency with impaired transportation and transformation.

Compatibility mechanism

Indications

Patients with urinary system calculi are the primary suitable population for this decoction, especially those with Damp-Heat pattern stones such as calcium oxalate stones and calcium phosphate stones. Common symptoms include stones in the urine, difficult and painful urination, poor urinary flow, and lumbar-abdominal colic. Regular consumption of this decoction can help promote stone expulsion, alleviate pain and discomfort, and prevent the formation of new stones.

Furthermore, individuals with Damp-Heat constitution (characterized by greasy facial complexion with a sheen, bitter taste and dry mouth, dark yellow urine, and sticky stool), those with chronic urinary tract infections, those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency complicated by Damp-Heat, and people who experience scanty dark urine and poor appetite during summer when damp-heat is prevalent are also suitable for consuming this soup. As a daily health soup, it also plays a positive role in maintaining urinary system health and preventing stone formation.

Contraindicated populations

Those with severe Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency Cold should not consume it. *Lysimachia christinae* (Golden Coin Grass) is cold in nature; if Spleen and Stomach Yang Qi is insufficient, presenting with aversion to cold and cold limbs, epigastric and abdominal cold pain, and loose stools, consumption may aggravate the Deficiency Cold symptoms. If such individuals need to use it, they should combine it with warming the Middle and fortifying the Spleen substances such as *Zingiber officinale* (Ginger) and *Ziziphus jujuba* (Jujube) to counteract its cold nature, or use it cautiously under the guidance of a practitioner.

Use with caution during pregnancy. Lysimachia christinae (Chinese Loosestrife) promotes urination and relieves stranguria, and its nature is slippery. Therefore, it should not be used during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester) to avoid affecting fetal stability. Additionally, those allergic to Lysimachia christinae or Bai Ye (Centella asiatica / Gotu Kola), infants, and individuals with extreme debility should use it only under the guidance of a physician. Patients with renal insufficiency should be evaluated by a doctor to determine suitability based on the specific condition.

Ingredient proportions in the herbal formula

Dried Lysimachia christinae (Gold Coin Grass) 30g (or 60g if using fresh), tripe (pig or cow) 250g, fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) 3-5 slices (about 10g), red jujubes (Ziziphus jujuba) 3 pieces (pitted), salt to taste, and 1500-2000 ml of water. This recipe serves 2-3 people; adjust the amounts proportionally based on the actual number of servings.

Lysimachia christinae (Jinqiancao) is best when dried, with abundant leaves, green color, and free of impurities. Cow tripe (Baiye) should be selected fresh, with normal color and no off-odor. Fresh ginger (Shengjiang) and jujube (Dazao) are used to protect the spleen and stomach, harmonize the medicinal properties, making the soup more balanced. The dosage of dried Lysimachia christinae should generally not exceed 30 g, and fresh product not exceed 60 g, to ensure the suitability and safety of the medicinal food.

Cooking method

Step one: Prepare the ingredients. Rinse the beef tripe thoroughly under running water to remove impurities and mucus, then cut into strips or pieces about 2-3 cm wide; set aside. Quickly rinse dried Lysimachia christinae (moneywort) under water to remove dust, place it in a gauze bag and tie the opening tightly for easy removal later. Slice fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) and pit the Chinese dates (Ziziphus jujuba); set aside.

Step two: Blanch to remove fishy odor. Add enough clean water to a pot, place in the beef tripe and 2 slices of ginger (Zingiber officinale). Bring to a boil over high heat and continue boiling for 2–3 minutes. Skim off any foam, then remove the beef tripe, rinse thoroughly with warm water, and drain well. This step effectively eliminates the fishy and gamey taste of the beef tripe, making the soup purer and more flavorful.

Step 3: Simmer into a decoction. Take a clay pot or soup pot, add 1500-2000 ml of water, then add the gauze bag of Lysimachia christinae (golden coin grass), blanched beef tripe, sliced fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale), and jujubes (Ziziphus jujuba). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer gently for 60-90 minutes, until the beef tripe is tender, the soup turns slightly yellow, and the medicinal aroma permeates. Five minutes before turning off the heat, add an appropriate amount of salt to season. Remove and discard the gauze bag of Lysimachia christinae. Ladle the beef tripe and soup into bowls and serve.

Drinking Tips

1. It is advisable to drink it warm on an empty stomach or semi-empty stomach to facilitate absorption and efficacy. It is recommended to consume it between 9–11 am (the time when the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (BL) is predominant), as the flow of qi and blood in the Bladder Meridian at this hour helps enhance the effect of treating strangury and expelling stones. A treatment cycle consists of continuous consumption for 7–10 days.

During the period of herbal dietary therapy, the diet should be light. Avoid spicy, greasy, deep-fried, and stimulating foods, and refrain from consuming alcohol and coffee. Drink plenty of warm boiled water daily, maintaining a water intake of over 2000 ml per day. Appropriately increase activities such as jumping and rope skipping, which aid in expelling and preventing stones.

3. Jinqiancao Baiye Tang (Lysimachia christinae and Baiye Decoction) is an auxiliary conditioning remedy and should not replace standard medical treatment or pharmacotherapy. Patients with urinary calculi should undergo regular follow-up via ultrasound or CT scan to monitor changes in stone size, location, and quantity. If severe abdominal pain, gross hematuria, fever, or other symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is necessary. It is recommended to use this formula based on pattern differentiation under the guidance of a licensed TCM practitioner, adjusting the formula according to the type of calculi and the patient’s individual constitution.