綬草(Spiranthes sinensis)是一種蘭科植物，其肉質根似人蔘，稱為盤龍參；在臺灣氣候大約於清明節前後開花，又稱為清明草。文獻中有指出綬草具有抗癌、消炎與抗菌作用。近年來，有專家學者針對綬草進行化學成分分析及藥理活性的研究，研究指出綬草中含有二氫菲類(phenanthrenes)、黃酮類(flavones) 及阿魏酸酯類化合物(ferulic acid esters)
等物質，具有極佳的藥理活性作用。據文獻報導，自由基會使肌膚細胞老化；若能有效抗氧化，則能延緩肌膚老化現象。本研究擬以綬草植物之不同濃度，測試抗氧化能力。由實驗結果顯示，綬草植物於抗氧化能力表現極佳，可以提供未來化妝品開發應用的參考原料。

.Shou Tsao (綬草) (Spiranthes sinensis) is an orchid plant, its fleshy root like ginseng, called pau lung tsan.(盤龍參) In Taiwan climate, it is flowering during the Ching Ming Festival,also called the ching ming tsao.(清明草) Some studies indicate that Spiranthes sinensis possess some effects like anticancer, anti-inflammation and antibacterial. Recently, some experts study the chemical ingredient analysis and pharmacological activities of Spiranthes sinensis, which indicate that it contains phenanthrenes, flavones and ferulic acid esters groups. Those chemical ingredients show perfect pharmacologic activities. According to the
research reports, free radicals could make the skin aging, but effective antioxidation would overcome the aging. This study would assay the antioxidation ability with different concentrations of Spiranthes sinensis. The result shows perfect antioxidation ability and would provide cosmetic material application in the future.