QICAOGANGMU Ingredients: Full Breakdown of Every Herb, Concentration & Safety Evidence
Full formula, concentrations and safety evidence
QICAOGANGMU's international formula combines a moisturizing base with five named botanical or sensory ingredients: Cnidii Fructus 3%, Borneolum Syntheticum 2%, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix 1.5%, Stemonae Radix 0.5% and Menthol 0.5%. This guide explains the complete formula, what modern research has found about each ingredient and how the published corticosteroid testing should be interpreted.
Full ingredient list and concentrations
| Ingredient | Concentration | Role in the formula | Research theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Base | Aqueous phase | Provides the water phase of the cream |
| Glycerin | Base | Humectant | Helps attract and retain water in the outer skin layer |
| Petrolatum | Base | Occlusive emollient | Helps reduce transepidermal water loss |
| Cnidii Fructus | 3% | Highest named botanical concentration | Itch pathways and antifungal laboratory research |
| Borneolum Syntheticum | 2% | Sensory and formulation ingredient | Topical sensory effects and penetration-enhancement research |
| Sophorae Flavescentis Radix | 1.5% | Traditional botanical ingredient | Inflammation and psoriasis-related experimental research |
| Stemonae Radix | 0.5% | Traditional botanical ingredient | Alkaloid and anti-inflammatory laboratory research |
| Menthol | 0.5% | Cooling sensory ingredient | TRPM8 cold-receptor activation |
What the ingredient research actually found
Cnidii Fructus / She Chuang Zi - 3%
Osthole, one of the best-studied compounds associated with Cnidium monnieri, reduced scratching in experimental itch models by inhibiting TRPV3, an ion channel involved in itch sensation. PMID 30108138
A separate laboratory study found antifungal activity of Cnidium monnieri aqueous extract against Trichophyton rubrum. PMC8417377
What this means: Cnidii Fructus has a meaningful research profile spanning itch-related pathways and antimicrobial activity.
Borneolum Syntheticum - 2%
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study, topical borneol produced significantly greater postoperative pain relief than placebo. The same research also identified TRPM8 as an important sensory target. PMC5452010
Borneol has also been studied as a penetration enhancer in topical and transdermal delivery systems.
What this means: borneol has both human sensory evidence and a modern formulation-science role.
Sophorae Flavescentis Radix / Ku Shen - 1.5%
A 2024 study found that selected flavonoids and alkaloids from Sophora flavescens reduced inflammatory activity and improved psoriasis-like skin changes in experimental models. PMID 38358770
Earlier work has also investigated Sophora-derived compounds in itch and inflammatory skin research.
What this means: Ku Shen has one of the broader anti-inflammatory research profiles among the formula's botanical ingredients.
Stemonae Radix / Bai Bu - 0.5%
Researchers isolated multiple alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa and tested them for anti-inflammatory activity. Several reduced inflammatory signals in laboratory cells. PMID 35295975
What this means: Stemona contains compounds with positive laboratory anti-inflammatory findings.
Menthol - 0.5%
Menthol activates TRPM8, a cold-sensing receptor responsible for much of menthol's familiar cooling sensation. Human research using another TRPM8 agonist cream has also shown anti-itch effects, supporting cooling pathways as a real target in itch research. PMID 30067875
Why the base matters too
Water, glycerin and petrolatum are not decorative ingredients. They determine much of the cream's texture and barrier-support profile. Glycerin functions as a humectant, while petrolatum is a well-established occlusive that helps reduce water loss from dry skin.
This means the finished formula combines moisturizing base ingredients with botanical and sensory ingredients rather than relying only on herbs suspended in a neutral carrier.
Corticosteroid testing and what "Not Detected" means
QICAOGANGMU's declared international ingredient list contains no corticosteroid. In addition, TÜV SÜD PSB tested a finished-product sample for eight named corticosteroids: Prednisone, Prednisolone, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Cortisone, Hydrocortisone Acetate, Triamcinolone Acetonide and Hydrocortisone.
The reported result was Not Detected for the substances in that panel at a detection limit of 50 ppm.
The laboratory also confirmed that it did not observe unidentified corticosteroid-like signals in the analysis. Clobetasol propionate was not one of the specifically named analytes in that test panel, so it should not be described as individually tested by that report.
Testing information and applicable reports are available on the Purity Assured page.
How the five named ingredients complement one another
The formula is not built around one single pathway. Ku Shen and Stemonae Radix contribute the strongest anti-inflammatory laboratory profile, She Chuang Zi contributes itch-pathway and antifungal research, while menthol and borneol add sensory and cooling-related mechanisms. Borneol also has a separate formulation-science role in penetration research.
| Research theme | Relevant ingredients | What the evidence contributes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation | Ku Shen, Stemonae Radix | Reduced inflammatory activity in experimental systems | Supports the anti-inflammatory research rationale of the botanical blend |
| Itch pathways | She Chuang Zi, Menthol | TRPV3 and TRPM8-related research | Connects the formula to modern sensory-pathway research |
| Cooling and sensory effects | Menthol, Borneol | Cold-receptor and human sensory findings | Explains the formula's cooling sensory character |
| Antimicrobial context | She Chuang Zi | Laboratory antifungal activity against selected organisms | Adds a separate antimicrobial research dimension |
Why ingredient concentrations are useful information
Concentration disclosure makes the formula easier to evaluate because it shows how the named ingredients are proportioned. It also helps separate the finished product from research that may use isolated compounds, extracts or different concentrations.
Cnidii Fructus is the highest named botanical ingredient at 3%, followed by Borneolum Syntheticum at 2% and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix at 1.5%. Stemonae Radix and Menthol are each declared at 0.5%.
Traditional Chinese Medicine context
Within TCM, Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi are commonly associated with itching and Damp-Heat or Dampness patterns, while Bai Bu has traditional external-use associations. Borneol is traditionally used as an aromatic ingredient in external preparations.
These traditional descriptions and modern pharmacology answer different questions. Traditional use explains why ingredients were historically selected, while modern studies examine measurable compounds, sensory receptors, inflammation and antimicrobial activity.
What independent batch testing can and cannot tell you
Finished-product testing is useful because it examines the actual cream rather than only the ingredient list. It can confirm whether the specific analytes included in the laboratory panel were detected above the stated analytical limit in the tested sample.
At the same time, no single laboratory panel tests every possible substance. The most accurate way to present the evidence is therefore to name the substances tested, the laboratory, the batch where applicable and the detection limit rather than making a broad claim that goes beyond the report.
Safety and practical use
- Follow the current product directions: do not create disease-specific dosing instructions from laboratory studies.
- Avoid eyes and mucous membranes unless the label specifically permits use there.
- Introduce new topical products cautiously: menthol and botanical ingredients can irritate sensitive skin in some people.
- Stop if substantial burning, swelling or worsening redness develops.
- For infants, children, pregnancy or breastfeeding: use the current label guidance and seek age- or situation-specific advice when needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-concentration named botanical ingredient?
Cnidii Fructus is declared at 3%, followed by Borneolum Syntheticum at 2% and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix at 1.5%.
Does the formula contain corticosteroids?
No corticosteroid is declared in the international ingredient list. Independent batch testing also reported "Not Detected" for the named corticosteroids included in the published panel at the stated detection limit.
Which ingredients have itch-related research?
Cnidii Fructus has osthole/TRPV3 research, while menthol and borneol connect to TRPM8-related sensory research.
Which ingredients have anti-inflammatory research?
Ku Shen and Stemonae Radix have notable anti-inflammatory findings, although the studies use different models and compounds.
Related articles
References
- Sun XY et al. Antipruritic effect of osthole through selective inhibition of TRPV3. PMID 30108138
- Cao Y et al. Antifungal mechanism of Cnidium monnieri against Trichophyton rubrum. PMC8417377
- Dai H et al. Topical borneol-induced analgesia. PMC5452010
- Lin CF et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and alkaloids from Sophora flavescens. PMID 38358770
- Xu Y et al. Alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa and anti-inflammatory activity. PMID 35295975