INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Semen Pharbitidis |
| Common English: | Morning Glory Seeds Pharbitis |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Bitter Acrid |
Cold Slightly Toxic (Toxic) |
Kidney Large Intestine Lung Small Intestine |
3-10g Pills and powders: not greater that 3g per day Tincture: 0.5-2ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Drives out water through the urine and stool |
Edema and ascites from Stagnation of pathogenic water or Dampness Constipation due to Heat accumulation in the Stomach and Intestines Can be used as a stand-alone herb |
Descends Lung Qi and drives out Phlegm and thin mucus (Tan Yin) |
Thin mucus obstructing the Lungs with cough, wheezing and a sensation of fullness in the chest and abdomen |
Unblocks the bowels and removes Damp-Heat |
Constipation due to accumulation and Stagnation of Damp-Heat or Food Stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines (reduce the dosage) |
Expels intestinal parasites and reduces Stagnation |
Tapeworm or roundworm infestation Food Stagnation |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Rx. Kansui |
Fr. Foeniculi |
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Ascites |
Increases the efficacy of Qian Niu Zi Ascites and edema with Qi Stagnation |
Swelling and fullness due to stoppage and accumulation of water or thin mucus |
Lignum Aquilariae |
Sm. Descurainiae/Lepidii |
Sm. Persicae |
Edema and abdominal distention due to Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Wheezing, a sensation of fullness in the chest, edema and abdominal distention due to thin mucus obstructing the Lung Qi |
Constipation Grind both ingredients into powder and make into pills with honey |
Sm. Arecae |
Fr. Foeniculi |
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Strongly moves Qi, resolve accumulations and breaks up Stagnation to promote the expulsion of parasite bodies and treats abdominal pain, bloating and constipation due to many types of intestinal parasites, but especially roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms |
Drains pathogenic Yin to disperse Cold, reduce swelling, alleviate pain in the treatment of Cold-Damp bulging disorder with scrotal swelling and sensations of dragging pain, constipation,and urinary difficulty due to Deficiency Cold in the Lower Jiao with Qi Stagnation and Water Accumulation |
Edema in children |
Rz. Zingiberis Recens |
Rx. et Rz. Rhei |
|
Nephritis with edema Liver cirrhosis with ascites |
Cough and wheezing |
Severe constipation |
- This herb has a very potent purging effect.
- The effects of overdose include nausea, vomiting, hematuria and neurological symptoms.
- This herb is gentler than the others in this category and may be used for a longer period of time.
- This herb can be powdered and used alone for mild edema.
- Both Qian Niu Zi and Rx. Phytolaccae Shang Lu powerfully unblock and drain outward through the urethra and anus, to treat edema associated with severe constipation, urinary difficulty and thin mucus. Qian Niu Zi guides out Stagnation, reduces accumulation, and kills parasites. Its degree of toxicity is less than Shang Lu. and can be used in both adults and children for abdominal pain due to parasitic accumulation, Food Stagnation and anorexia. Shang Lu is more toxic internally. Externally, it can be used to resolve toxicity and reduce swelling.
- Morning Glory Kernels Qian Niu Ren are more toxic.
- Dry-fried Morning Glory Seeds Chao Qian Niu Zi are less acrid, less draining-diuretic and less toxic.