Qian Niu Zi (牡牛子) is the seed of morning glory, recorded as Semen Pharbitidis. It is bitter and acrid in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Lung, Kidney and both Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the harsh expellants.

Pinyin

qian niu zi

Chinese

牵牛子

Latin Name

Semen Pharbitidis

English Name

Morning Glory Seeds·pharbitidis seed

Japanese

kengoshi

Korean

kyeonuja

Actions and indications

Drives out water through urination and bowel movement

Edema and ascites from accumulated pathogenic water or Damp, with constipation and scanty urine; a harsh expellant for severe Excess fluid build-up, which may be used alone
Constipation from accumulated Heat in the Stomach and Intestines

Descends Lung Qi and expels Phlegm-fluids (Tan Yin)

Cough, wheezing and a full chest and abdomen when thin mucus obstructs the Lungs

Unblocks the bowels and drains Damp-Heat

Constipation from Damp-Heat or Food stagnation lodged in the Stomach and Intestines, using a smaller amount

Expels intestinal parasites and reduces stagnation

Tapeworm or roundworm, with abdominal pain
Food or Qi stagnation with distension and constipation

Combinations

gan sui

Ascites

hou po + mu xiang

Enhances the action of this herb; Qi Stagnation with edema and ascites

xiao hui xiang + mu xiang

Swelling and fullness from water or thin mucus that has stopped and accumulated

chen xiang + rou gui

Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency with edema and abdominal distention

ting li zi + xing ren

Thin mucus obstructing Lung Qi, with wheezing, chest fullness, edema and abdominal distention

tao ren

Constipation, with both herbs powdered and made into honey pills

bing lang

Strongly moves Qi, resolves accumulations and breaks Stagnation to expel parasites; abdominal pain, bloating and constipation from many kinds of intestinal parasites, roundworm, tapeworm and hookworm in particular

xiao hui xiang

Drains pathogenic Yin to scatter Cold, reduce swelling and relieve pain: Cold-Damp bulging disorder, scrotum swollen with a dragging pain, constipation and difficult urination, with Qi Stagnation, Water accumulation and Deficiency Cold in the Lower Jiao

qing pi + mu xiang

Edema in children

sheng jiang + da zao

Edema in nephritis; ascites in cirrhosis of the liver

da huang + bing lang

Cough and wheezing

da huang

Severe constipation

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 3-10g; Pills and powders: not greater that 3g per day; Tincture: 0.5-2ml

3-10 g

—

0.5-2 ml

—

Cautions

pregnancy Do not use in pregnancy; it has been reported to cause birth defects

caution Weak Stomach or deficient Qi

contraindication Weak, deficient or elderly patients, and Spleen and Stomach deficiency; a harsh purgative suits only robust Excess patterns

caution Toxic: use only under a qualified practitioner, within standard dosage and usually in processed form

Interactions

Caution with

ba dou Avoid combining with Ba Dou (croton seed), a pair listed among the Nineteen Fears, though some historical formulas do use both

Drug interactions

Other laxatives, purgatives or diuretics: their effects may add to its strong purging and diuretic action (theoretical; no interaction demonstrated)

qian niu zi

About qian niu zi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Drives out water through urination and bowel movement

Descends Lung Qi and expels Phlegm-fluids (Tan Yin)

Unblocks the bowels and drains Damp-Heat

Expels intestinal parasites and reduces stagnation

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Caution with

Drug interactions

About qian niu zi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Drives out water through urination and bowel movement

Descends Lung Qi and expels Phlegm-fluids (Tan Yin)

Unblocks the bowels and drains Damp-Heat

Expels intestinal parasites and reduces stagnation

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Caution with

Drug interactions

Related

Used in 2 formulas