INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: HUO MA REN - 火麻仁 - SEMEN CANNABIS - HEMP SEEDS - MARIJUANA SEEDS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Semen Cannabis
Common English: Hemp Seeds
Cannabis Seeds
Linum  
Marijuana Seeds

CATEGORY

Downward Draining Herbs: Moistening Laxatives

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
Neutral
Large Intestine
Spleen
Stomach
9-15g
Up to 45g when used as the principle herb in a formula
Tincture: 2-4ml

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Nourishes, moistens and lubricates the Intestines

Constipation in the elderly

Constipation after a warm febrile disease

Postpartum constipation

Constipation due to Blood Deficiency

Nourishes Yin

Yin Deficiency with constipation

Clears Heat and promotes healing of sores

 Sores and ulcerations (auxiliary - internal and topical)
Moistens Dryness and benefits the hair Promotes hair growth and treats dry hair

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with loose stools.
  • Overdose or long-term use may result in vaginal discharge or spermatorrhea.
  • Over consumption can lead to impotence.
  • Excessive consumption can leas to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Avoid use of the unprocessed herb as it is slightly toxic.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
  • Counteracts Concha Ostreae Mu Li.
  • Counteracts Rx. Cynanchi Bai Wei.
  • Counteracts Poria Fu Ling.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang

Sm. Armeniacae
Xing Ren
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Fr. Aurantii Immaturus
Zhi Shi

Fr. Perillae
Zi Su Zi

 

Constipation due to lack of fluids and Blood Deficiency, especially in the elderly and postpartum.

Constipation due to Heat induced Dryness in the Stomach and Intestines.

Constipation in the elderly, especially if accompanied by coughing and wheezing.

Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Rx. Rehmannia
Sheng Di Huang
Tub. Ophiopogonis
Mai Men Dong

 

Sm. Pruni
Yu Li Ren

Redness, pain and ulcerations of the mouth due to Stomach Heat.

Yin Deficiency with constipation.

Constipation with dry, hard stools.

Sm. Pruni
Yu Li Ren
Sm. Trichosanthis
Gua Lou Ren
Sm. Armeniacae
Xing Ren

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Codonopsis
Dang Shen

Sm. Persicae
Tao Ren
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui

Constipation due to Body Fluid Deficiency.

Constipation with Qi Deficiency.

Habitual constipation.

Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po
Fr. Aurantii Immaturus
Zhi Shi

Rx. Polygoni Multiflori
He Shou Wu

 

Severe constipation due to general Deficiency.

Hair loss with Blood Deficiency. (apply the essential oil of Huo Ma Ren directly on the scalp and drink the He Shou Wu)

 

NOTES

  1. Because the seeds have been processed, they cannot germinate and are therefore not considered a controlled substance.
  2. This herb is richly endowed with oily liquid. It can therefore lubricate the Intestines and has a nourishing and tonifying effect on Yin.
  3. Symptoms of overdose include nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, numbness of the extremities, irritability, chorea, and in very severe cases coma and death.
  4. Primarily treats gastrointestinal Dryness.
  5. For hair loss or dry hair, use this herb as a rinse or shampoo.
  6. For scalp ulcer, mix the powder of this herb with water and honey and apply topically.
  7. Linum is actually the term for flax seed also used to moisturize the colon.
  8. This herb and Sm. Pruni Yu Li Ren are similar however Huo Ma Ren is gentler, nourishing, and treats Deficiency conditions while Yu Li Ren is stronger, promotes urination, treats edema, and is used for Excess disorders.
  9. Dry-fried hemp Seeds Chao Ma Ren enhances its nourishing and enriching properties and reduces its slippery, facilitating properties.
  10. It may have a heavy metal detoxicant action.
  11. The extracted oil can be applied topically for hair loss.