QICAOGANGMU Ingredients List: Every Herb, Concentration, Safety Note and Steroid Test
Product information
QICAOGANGMU's full ingredient list is: water, glycerin, petrolatum, Cnidii Fructus (She Chuang Zi) 3%, Borneolum Syntheticum (Bing Pian) 2%, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Ku Shen) 1.5%, Stemonae Radix (Bai Bu) 0.5% and menthol 0.5%. It contains no corticosteroid, and independent batch testing by TÜV SÜD PSB found none of eight tested steroids.
What is the full QICAOGANGMU ingredient list?
| Ingredient | Amount | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Base | Carrier | Water phase of the cream |
| Glycerin | Base | Humectant | Draws water into the outer skin layer |
| Petrolatum | Base | Occlusive | Seals in moisture and reduces water loss |
| She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus) | 3% | TCM herb | Classic anti-itch herb; dries Dampness |
| Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum) | 2% | TCM aromatic | Cooling; eases itch and discomfort |
| Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) | 1.5% | TCM herb | Clears Heat, dries Dampness, stops itch |
| Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix) | 0.5% | TCM herb | Traditional external herb for parasites and itch |
| Menthol | 0.5% | Cooling agent | Fast cooling relief via the TRPM8 receptor |
What does each QICAOGANGMU ingredient do?
She Chuang Zi 3%
The highest-concentration herb. Its main compound, osthole, reduced scratching by blocking the TRPV3 itch channel in mice (Sun et al., 2018), and the herb has shown antifungal activity in laboratory tests (Yanyun et al., 2021).
Bing Pian (borneol) 2%
A traditional cooling ingredient that relieved pain better than placebo in a randomised trial of 122 patients, working through the TRPM8 cold receptor (Wang et al., 2017).
Ku Shen 1.5%
One of the most important herbs in Chinese dermatology. Its flavonoids lowered inflammatory signals in human skin cells and reduced psoriasis-like skin thickening in mice (Lin et al., 2024).
Bai Bu 0.5%
A traditional external herb whose alkaloids reduced an inflammatory marker in laboratory studies (Xu et al., 2022).
Menthol 0.5%
Gives QICAOGANGMU its cooling feel by activating TRPM8, the skin's cold receptor.
For the full research behind each ingredient, read our deep dive into QICAOGANGMU's natural actives.
Are QICAOGANGMU's ingredients safe?
| Ingredient | Safety note |
|---|---|
| Glycerin, petrolatum | Among the most widely used moisturising ingredients in dermatology, with very low allergy potential |
| Menthol 0.5% | Within the 0.1% to 1% range the US FDA permits in over-the-counter anti-itch products (FDA M017) |
| Bing Pian 2% | Tested topically in a randomised human trial; adds to the cooling feel |
| She Chuang Zi, Ku Shen, Bai Bu | Long history of external use in TCM skin preparations |
| Whole formula | No corticosteroid; batch-tested by an accredited laboratory |
A cooling or light tingling feeling is the normal, expected sensation. As with any skin-care product, test a small area first. See the full side effects and safety guide.
Is QICAOGANGMU tested for steroids?
Yes. Finished batches are independently tested, and the latest published report found none of the eight tested corticosteroids.
Full reports for this and previous batches are on the Purity Assured page. More detail: Is QICAOGANGMU steroid-free?
What is the TCM logic behind the formula?
In TCM, red, itchy, weeping skin is described as Damp-Heat with Wind. QICAOGANGMU follows the classic treatment principle for this pattern: She Chuang Zi and Ku Shen clear Heat, dry Dampness and stop itching, while cooling Bing Pian and menthol calm Wind-type itch, and Bai Bu adds a traditional external herb. The moisturising base supports dry skin. Learn more in how TCM explains eczema and the best herbs for itchy skin.
How do you use QICAOGANGMU safely?
- Test on a small area first.
- Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin, following the packaging directions.
- Keep away from the eyes and mucous membranes, and wash your hands after use.
- For children, pregnancy or breastfeeding, follow the label and ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Full guide: how to use QICAOGANGMU cream.
QICAOGANGMU Chinese Herbal Cream
Five declared TCM actives, a moisturising base and independent steroid testing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the ingredients in QICAOGANGMU?
Water, glycerin, petrolatum, She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus) 3%, Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum) 2%, Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) 1.5%, Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix) 0.5% and menthol 0.5%.
Does QICAOGANGMU contain steroids?
No. It contains no corticosteroid, and independent TÜV SÜD PSB testing of batch QCGM-202605 found Not Detected for eight corticosteroids at a 50 ppm detection limit.
What is the main herb in QICAOGANGMU?
She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus) at 3% is the highest-concentration herb, paired with Ku Shen at 1.5%, the classic TCM anti-itch herb pair.
Why does QICAOGANGMU feel cold?
Menthol 0.5% and borneol 2% activate TRPM8, the skin's cold-sensing receptor. The cooling feeling is normal and expected.
Is QICAOGANGMU suitable for sensitive skin?
Its base uses low-allergy moisturisers and it is steroid-free. As with any new product, test a small area for a few days before wider use.
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
- Yanyun C, Ying T, Wei K, Hua F. Preliminary study on antifungal mechanism of aqueous extract of Cnidium monnieri against Trichophyton rubrum. Front Microbiol. 2021;12:707174. PMC8417377
- 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
- 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
- Xu Y, Xiong L, Yan Y, et al. Alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa and their anti-inflammatory activity. Front Chem. 2022;10:847595. PMID 35295975
- US Food and Drug Administration. OTC Monograph M017: External Analgesic Drug Products.
- TÜV SÜD PSB Pte Ltd. Corticosteroid screening report, batch QCGM-202605, 27 July 2026. Purity Assured page.
Product information. This article describes the declared formula and published research. Persistent or severe skin conditions should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
