INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Semen Pruni |
| Common English: | Bush Cherry Pit |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Acrid Bitter Sweet |
Neutral |
Large Intestine Small Intestine Spleen |
3-12g crush before decocting Tincture: 2-4ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels |
Constipation due to Qi Stagnation in the Intestines |
Promotes urination and reduces edema |
Edema with difficult urination and constipation Leg Qi |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
|
INCOMPATIBILITIES |
Sm. Cannabis |
Sm. Coicis |
Sm. Cannabis |
Chronic constipation due to Dry Intestines or Qi Deficiency. |
Edema with abdominal distention, constipation, and urinary retention. |
Constipation with dry, hard stools. |
- One source says that this herb descends Qi.
- It is used as a folk medicine in southern China for stubborn insomnia after a fright. For this purpose, decoct the seeds in yellow wine for 10 minutes, drain and add to the appropriate prescription.
- It is most often used for constipation due to Qi Blockage and Dryness, but can also be used for swelling and distention of the abdomen and limbs due to edema.
- It is best used dry-fried.
- It is commonly used with Sm. Cannabis Huo Ma Ren which lubricates Dryness and harmonizes the Middle Jiao, while Yu Li Ren lubricates the Dryness and regulates the bowel movement. Yu Li Ren is more powerful.
- This herb and Sm Cannabis Sativa Huo Ma 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.
- Dry-fried Bush Cherry Pit Chao Yu Li Ren is less oily and therefore less laxative in nature. It is generally used for edema but is also appropriate for weak or deficient patients or postpartum women.