Plantain seed (Cheqianzi)
Plantago asiatica L. (Fam. Plantaginaceae).
Pharmaceutical Name: Semen plantaginis
Botanical Name: 1. Plantago
asiatica L.; 2. Plantago depressa Willd.
(Fam. Plantaginaceae).
Common Name: Plantain seed, Plantain
herb.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong
Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The seeds, gathered in summer or autumn when they are ripe,
are dry-fried or fried with salt water.
Dried
ripe seed.
Semen
Plantaginis is the dried ripe seed of Plantago asiatica L. or Plantago
depressa Willd. (Fam. Plantaginaceae). The former is produced in every part
in China, whereas the latter is produced chiefly in
the provinces of Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Hebei. The seed is collected in
summer and autumn, dried in sunlight, and cleaned. It can be stir-baked plain or
with salt water.
Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold.
Meridians: Kidney, liver and lung.
Functions: 1. To promote water
metabolism and relieve abnormal urination; 2. To stop diarrhea; 3. To clear
heat in the liver and brighten eyes; 4. To clear the lung and resolve phlegm.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Damp-heat flowing into the urinary
bladder manifested as dysuria, painful urination, frequent urination and
distending and full sensation in the lower abdominal region. Plantain seed
(Cheqianzi) is used with Clematis stem (Mutong), Capejasmine (Zhizi) and Talc
(Huashi) in the formula Bazheng San.
2. Damp-heat diarrhea. Plantain seed
(Cheqianzi) is used with Poria (Fuling), White atractylodes (Baizhu) and
Alismatis rhizome (Zexie).
3. Heat in the liver manifested as red,
painful and swollen eyes. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with
Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua), Chinese gentian (Longdancao) and Scutellaria root
(Huangqin).
4. Deficiency of yin in the liver and kidney
manifested as blurred vision and cataracts. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is
used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Ophiopogon root (Maidong) and
Wolfberry fruit (Gouqizi).
5. Cough with profuse sputum due to heat in
the lungs. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Trichosanthes fruit
(Gualou), Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Tendrilled fritillary bulb
(Chuanbeimu).
6. For
inflammation of the eyes, cataracts, and blurred vision,
Semen Plantaginis clears Liver Heat and improves the vision. It is used with
Flos Chrysanthemi Morifolii ( Ju Hua), Radix Gentianae (Long Dan Cao), and
Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin), or with Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di Huang),
Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai Dong), and Fructus Lycii (Gou Qi Zi).
Dosage: 5-10 g wrapped in gauze and
decocted in water for an oral dose.
Cautions & Contraindications: This
herb should be wrapped in cloth for decoctions if a strainer is not used.
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