ma qian zi

Name: ma qian zi
Creator: Bencao Index

马钱子·Semen Strychni

nux vomica seed

Extremely toxic

Toxicity graded by American Dragon.

About ma qian zi

Ma Qian Zi (马钱子) is the seed of nux vomica, recorded as Semen Strychni. It is bitter in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Liver and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it under obsolete substances.

Names

Pinyin	ma qian zi
Chinese	马钱子
Latin Name	Semen Strychni
English Name	nux vomica seed
Japanese	basenshi
Korean	majeonja

Classification

Category: Obsolete Substances
Channels: Spleen, Liver
Flavour: Bitter
Temperature: Cold

Actions and indications

Unblocks the channels and collaterals, disperses clumps, cools Blood Heat, reduces swelling and relieves pain

Sores, abscesses and ulcers of Yin type
Deep-rooted toxic sores, carbuncles and ulcers that will not heal, applied topically
Swelling and pain from injury, including bruising and the pain of fractures
Stubborn Wind-Damp Bi with pain, pins and needles, numbness and spasm, where milder Wind-Damp herbs have failed
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
Facial paralysis
Numbness and weakness of the limbs
Tumors
Phlegm-Damp obstructing the Heart
Liver and Kidney deficiency
Qi stagnation of the Liver and Gallbladder
Stomach Qi stagnation

Combinations

ru xiang + zi ran tong + gu sui bu + mo yao
Traumatic pain, swelling, sprains and fractures, applied topically
shan dou gen + ban lan gen
Badly swollen, painful throat
xiong huang + ru xiang + chuan shan jia
Sores, abscesses and swellings that are painful
zhi chuan wu + wei ling xian
Wind-Damp Bi with numbness, weakness or spasms
ma huang + cang zhu + quan xie
Intense Wind-Cold Bi.
ma huang + ru xiang + mo yao
Aching muscles. Used topically to reduce swelling and relieve pain
ma huang + ru xiang + cang zhu + quan xie + huai niu xi
Wind-Damp Bi.
gan cao
Numb, paralyzed limbs
ren shen + dang gui + ru xiang + chuan shan jia
Facial paralysis. Myasthenia gravis. Numbness and atrophy of the limbs

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any Internally: .02-.09g; Topically: .1-.3g; Tincture: 3-18 drops/day; Zhi Ma Qian Zi; Powder or pill: .6-1.2g; Tincture: 3-18 drops/day	.02-.09 g	—	3-18 drops	—	—

Cautions

caution Extremely toxic; the effective and toxic doses lie very close together
caution The raw, unprocessed seed must never be used; only the processed (sand-fried) form, in small amounts for short courses under qualified supervision
caution Take extreme care with internal use
caution The toxin passes through the skin, so external use also needs care
caution Early signs of overdose include a crawling feeling around the neck, trouble swallowing and irritability
caution Not for long-term use
caution Irritates tissues in acute conditions
pregnancy Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy
lactation Do not use while breastfeeding
paediatric Not for children
contraindication General weakness or debility
contraindication Heat patterns
contraindication Hypertension
contraindication Serious disease of the liver or kidneys
contraindication Overactivity of the brain or spinal cord
contraindication Heart conditions or a tendency to seizures, given strychnine's stimulating effect on the nervous system
contraindication Paralysis accompanied by contractures or spasm

Interactions

Drug interactions

Medicines or substances that lower the seizure threshold or heighten nervous system and neuromuscular excitability: avoid combining, given strychnine's action (precautionary; no clinical interaction demonstrated)

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