What Is QICAOGANGMU? The Steroid-Free Chinese Herbal Cream Explained
About QICAOGANGMU
QICAOGANGMU (奇草钢目, pronounced qee-tsao-gang-moo) is a steroid-free Chinese herbal cream for dry, itchy and irritated skin. It combines four traditional TCM skin ingredients (She Chuang Zi, Bing Pian, Ku Shen and Bai Bu) with cooling menthol in a moisturising glycerin and petrolatum base, and finished batches are independently tested for corticosteroids.
What is QICAOGANGMU?
QICAOGANGMU is a topical Chinese herbal cream based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles for itchy skin. In TCM, red, itchy and weeping skin is described as Damp-Heat with Wind, and the classic external approach pairs herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness with cooling ingredients that calm itch. QICAOGANGMU brings that approach into a modern, steroid-free cream with a fully declared formula.
What ingredients are in QICAOGANGMU?
| Ingredient | Amount | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus) | 3% | Classic TCM anti-itch herb; its compound osthole blocks the TRPV3 itch channel in research |
| Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum) | 2% | Cooling aromatic that relieved pain better than placebo in a randomised human trial |
| Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) | 1.5% | Key TCM skin herb; its flavonoids reduce skin inflammation signals in research |
| Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix) | 0.5% | Traditional external herb with anti-inflammatory alkaloids |
| Menthol | 0.5% | Fast cooling relief through the TRPM8 cold receptor |
| Water, glycerin, petrolatum | Base | Moisturising base that hydrates and seals in moisture |
See the full ingredients list with safety notes or the research deep dive.
How does QICAOGANGMU work?
QICAOGANGMU is built on two pairings:
- The classic TCM anti-itch herb pair. She Chuang Zi and Ku Shen are traditionally paired for itchy skin. Research shows osthole from She Chuang Zi reduces scratching via the TRPV3 channel (Sun et al., 2018), and Ku Shen flavonoids lower inflammatory signals in skin cells (Lin et al., 2024). A review of 20 trials of topical Chinese herbs for eczema identified Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi among the core herbs (Wang et al., 2023).
- The cooling duo. Menthol and borneol activate TRPM8, the skin's cold receptor, for fast cooling comfort. Topical borneol relieved pain better than placebo in a 122-patient randomised trial (Wang et al., 2017).
The moisturising base adds barrier support, which matters for any dry, itchy skin.
What do people use QICAOGANGMU for?
People choose QICAOGANGMU for the daily care of dry, itchy, red or irritated skin, especially when they want a steroid-free option. Our guides explain how its ingredients relate to common skin concerns:
- Eczema and the TCM view of itchy skin
- Psoriasis and herbal remedies
- Ringworm and fungal skin
- General itchy skin (pruritus)
- Skin-fold irritation
Persistent, spreading or infected-looking rashes are best checked by a doctor, since many skin conditions look alike.
Steroid-free and fully declared. QICAOGANGMU lists every active and its percentage, with Not Detected results for eight corticosteroids from TÜV SÜD PSB. Rated 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. See the formula
Is QICAOGANGMU steroid-free?
Yes. QICAOGANGMU contains no corticosteroid, and finished batches are independently tested by TÜV SÜD PSB, an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory in Singapore. The latest report (batch QCGM-202605, July 2026) found Not Detected for all eight corticosteroids tested, at a 50 ppm detection limit that is at least five times below common treatment strengths. Reports are published on the Purity Assured page. More detail: Is QICAOGANGMU steroid-free?
How do you use QICAOGANGMU?
- Test a small area first.
- Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin, following the packaging directions.
- Expect a cooling or light tingling feeling that fades.
- Keep away from the eyes and wash your hands after use.
Full guides: how to use QICAOGANGMU cream and side effects and safety.
Where can you buy QICAOGANGMU?
QICAOGANGMU Steroid-Free Herbal Cream
4.7/5 (243 ratings) and 4.5/5 (666 ratings) on Amazon. Read reviews
QICAOGANGMU is sold on this website in single tubes and value packs, alongside the QICAOGANGMU herbal soap bar. Every tube contains She Chuang Zi 3%, Bing Pian (borneol) 2%, Ku Shen 1.5%, Bai Bu 0.5% and menthol 0.5% in a glycerin and petrolatum base. For larger areas, a 5-tube pack is also available.
- Steroid-free: TÜV SÜD PSB found none of 8 corticosteroids (lab reports)
- Fully declared formula: every active ingredient and its percentage on the label
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- US shipping in 2 to 6 business days, free over US$20
Patch test on a small area first, use a thin layer on intact skin and avoid the eyes, lips and genitals. How to use it · Product details
Frequently asked questions
What is QICAOGANGMU?
QICAOGANGMU is a steroid-free Chinese herbal cream for dry, itchy and irritated skin, made with She Chuang Zi, Bing Pian, Ku Shen, Bai Bu and menthol in a moisturising base.
How do you pronounce QICAOGANGMU?
QICAOGANGMU (奇草钢目) is pronounced roughly qee-tsao-gang-moo.
Is QICAOGANGMU a steroid cream?
No. It contains no corticosteroid, and independent TÜV SÜD PSB testing found Not Detected for eight corticosteroids in the latest tested batch.
What is QICAOGANGMU used for?
People use it for the daily care of dry, itchy, red or irritated skin, particularly when they want a steroid-free herbal option.
Why does QICAOGANGMU feel cool?
Menthol and borneol activate the skin's TRPM8 cold receptor, giving a cooling feeling that is normal and expected.
Related articles
References
- Sun XY, Sun LL, Qi H, et al. Antipruritic effect of natural coumarin osthole through selective inhibition of thermosensitive TRPV3 channel in the skin. Mol Pharmacol. 2018;94(4):1164-1173. PMID 30108138
- Lin CF, Lin MH, Hung CF, et al. The anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and alkaloids from Sophora flavescens alleviates psoriasiform lesions. Phytother Res. 2024;38(4):1951-1970. PMID 38358770
- Wang MC, Chou YT, Kao MC, et al. Topical Chinese herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis (eczema): a systematic review and meta-analysis with core herbs exploration. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023;317:116790. PMID 37328084
- Wang S, Zhang D, Hu J, et al. A clinical and mechanistic study of topical borneol-induced analgesia. EMBO Mol Med. 2017;9(6):802-815. PMID 28396565
- TÜV SÜD PSB Pte Ltd. Corticosteroid screening report, batch QCGM-202605, 27 July 2026. Purity Assured page.
Product information. QICAOGANGMU is a topical skin-care product. Persistent, severe or unexplained skin symptoms should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
