fei zi

榧子·Semen Torreyae

torreya

About fei zi

Fei Zi (榧子) is the seed of torreya, a yew-family tree, recorded as Semen Torreyae. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that kill parasites.

Names

Pinyinfei zi
Chinese榧子
Latin NameSemen Torreyae
English Nametorreya·torreya seed·Torreya Seeds·torreya; torreya seed
Japanesehishi
Koreanbija

Classification

Category
Kill Parasites
Channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach
Flavour
Sweet
Temperature
Neutral
Part used
Seeds
Family
Taxaceae
Species
Torreya Grandis
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Kills parasites and reduces accumulation

  • Intestinal worms, including roundworm, hookworm, pinworm and tapeworm, and fasciolopsis flukes; can be used alone
  • Suits children and weaker patients, since it expels worms without harsh purging and does not harm Spleen and Stomach Qi

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

  • Constipation, including with hemorrhoids; the dry-fried seeds can simply be eaten on their own

Moistens the Lungs and stops cough

  • Mild dry cough from Lung dryness, usually with herbs that nourish Lung Yin

Stops diarrhea

  • Diarrhea and dysentery

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 10-50g; Dry-fried: 9-15g; Tincture: 2-5ml10-50 g—2-5 ml——

Cautions