chong wei zi

茺蔚子·Fructus Leonuri

Leonurus Fruit

About chong wei zi

Chong Wei Zi (茆蔚子) is the fruit of motherwort, a plant of the mint family, recorded as Fructus Leonuri. It is sweet in flavour and slightly cold, and enters the Liver and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that invigorate the Blood.

Names

Pinyin	chong wei zi
Chinese	茺蔚子
Latin Name	Fructus Leonuri
English Name	Leonurus Fruit
Japanese	jyuishi
Korean	chungwija

Classification

Category: Invigorate the Blood
Channels: Spleen, Liver
Flavour: Sweet
Temperature: Slightly Cold
Part used: Fruit
Family: Labiatae
Species: Leonurus heterophyllus
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood and regulates menstruation

Irregular or painful periods
Amenorrhea, or pain in the abdomen after childbirth, from Blood stasis

Clears and cools the Liver and brightens the eyes

Headache from Liver Heat
Red, swollen and painful eyes, nebulae or conjunctivitis from Liver Heat
Pterygium

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any	3-15 g	—	—	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Bleeding that will not stop
pregnancy Not to be used in pregnancy; the aerial part of the same plant is a recognised uterine stimulant
contraindication Liver stagnation arising from deficient Liver Blood
contraindication Blood or Yin deficiency, which a moving, draining herb aggravates
contraindication Yang deficiency with prolapse, where a downward-moving herb works against treatment
caution Toxic reactions have been reported above a specific quantity; keep within the dose range, under supervision
caution Heavy or irregular bleeding, amenorrhea and postpartum pain need medical diagnosis, and a sudden painful red eye should be seen the same day

Interactions

Drug interactions

Warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, and around surgery: Blood-invigorating herbs as a class call for care (theoretical; no interaction reported for this herb)
Uterotonic medicines, and care around pregnancy or labour: decisions belong with the treating clinicians, given the plant's uterine action (theoretical)