sha yuan zi

沙苑子·Semen Astragali Complanati

Complanate Astragalus Seed

About sha yuan zi

Sha Yuan Zi (沙苑子) is the seed of flattened milkvetch, a legume, recorded as Semen Astragali Complanati. It is sweet in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Liver and Kidney channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that tonify Yang.

Names

Pinyinsha yuan zi
Chinese沙苑子
Latin NameSemen Astragali Complanati
English NameComplanate Astragalus Seed·flattened milkvetch seed
Japaneseshaenshitsuri
Koreansawonja

Classification

Category
Tonify Yang
Channels
Kidney, Liver
Flavour
Sweet
Temperature
Warm
Part used
Seed
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Astragalus Complanatus
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Tonifies Kidney Yang and secures Jing

  • Kidney Yang deficiency with low back pain, ringing in the ears, impotence, premature ejaculation, frequent urination or incontinence, and vaginal discharge
  • Spermatorrhea

Secures the Kidneys and reduces urination

  • Bedwetting, frequent urination, or dribbling and leaking urine when Kidney Qi fails to hold

Stops vaginal discharge

  • Thin, clear discharge without odour, from Kidney deficiency

Nourishes the Liver and Kidneys and brightens the eyes

  • Poor or blurry eyesight when Liver Blood is deficient
  • Blurred vision and dizziness from Liver and Kidney deficiency

Strengthens the lower back and knees

  • Sore, weak lower back and knees from Kidney deficiency

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 6-20g; Tincture: 2-4ml6-20 g2-4 ml

Cautions