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Cnidium seed
蛇床子 〔蛇床子〕shé chuáng zǐ
Latin pharmacognostic name: Cnidii Fructus
Alternate Chinese names: 蛇米 shé mǐ; 蛇珠 shé zhū; 蛇粟 shé sù; 蛇床仁 shé chuáng rén; 蛇床实 shé chuáng shí; 虺床 huǐ chuáng
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Origin (other sources): Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson*
Use: Medicinal
Category: External-use agents / Toxin-attacking, worm-killing, and itch-relieving agents
Properties: Acrid, bitter; warm; slightly toxic.
Channel entry: Kidney channel.
Indications:
- Kills worms, relieves itching, and dries dampness (external use): Genital damp itch; eczema; scab and lichen.
- Warms the kidney and invigorates yáng (internal use): Patterns of impotence and infertility.
- Additional uses: Shé chuáng zǐ disperses cold, dispels wind, and dries dampness when it is used internally. It may be taken internally to treat patterns of enduring
cold-damp impediment as well as cold-damp vaginal discharge.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 3–10g in decoction form. Shé chuáng zǐ is commonly decocted and administered as a wash or steam-bath (use 15–30g). It is also used externally in powders, medicinal pastes, and ointments. Shé chuáng zǐ is also prepared as a suppository.
Product Description: These fruits are oval in shape, 2 mm long and 1 mm in diameter, and yellow gray in color. They comprise two schizocarps, each with the remains of their styles, which are curled, and turned outward. On the two sides that touch, they are smooth but for two slightly protuberant, longitudinal lines. On the outward facing sides of each schizocarp, there are 5 distinct ridges. The exocarp is light and brittle. The seeds within are small, brown and oily and are cool, pungent, and numbing to the taste.
Quality: Full, yellow fruits with a strong taste and smell are best.
Product Area: Shāndōng, Liáoníng.
Etymology: The name shé chuáng zǐ 蛇床子, literally snake bed seed,
is said to be attributed to the fact that snakes like to lie under the plant.