She Chuang Zi (蛇床子) is the fruit of cnidium, a plant of the carrot family, recorded as Fructus Cnidii. It is acrid and bitter in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Kidney channel alone. The catalogue files it among the substances for external application.

Pinyin

she chuang zi

Chinese

蛇床子

Latin Name

Fructus Cnidii

English Name

cnidium fruit·Cnidium Seed

Japanese

jashoshi

Korean

sasangja

Actions and indications

Dries Damp, kills parasites and stops itching (topical)

Weeping, itchy skin lesions, especially of the genital area, treated with a wash, powder or ointment
Eczema, scabies, ringworm and tinea
Itching of the vulva or vagina, trichomonas infection included

Disperses Cold, dispels Wind and dries Damp

Thin, clear vaginal discharge from Cold-Damp, with Kidney Yang deficiency and Damp in the Lower Jiao
Low back pain from Wind-Cold-Damp lodged in the Kidneys and Du channel
Painful joints from Cold-Damp Bi, in combination with further warming herbs

Warms and tonifies the Kidneys and strengthens Yang

Impotence or infertility from Kidney Yang deficiency or a Cold Womb
Sore, weak lower back and knees from Kidney Yang deficiency

Combinations

ming fan + huang bai

Trichomoniasis with itching, used as a vaginal suppository

ku shen + bai bu

Itchy, weeping skin lesions.

qing fen

Chronic eczema flaring up, genital eczema or scabies, with itchy weeping skin lesions

wei ling xian + ku shen + sha ren

Weeping, itchy rashes of the groin and scrotum, as an external wash

shan zhu yu + shan yao + lu jiao jiao

Cold Damp vaginal discharge.

shan zhu yu + xiang fu + che qian zi

Cold Damp vaginal discharge.

sang ji sheng + du zhong + qin jiao

Cold-Dampness low back pain

tu si zi + wu wei zi

Kidney Deficiency with impotence or infertility, taken orally

rou gu + rou cong rong + ba ji tian

Waning Ming Men Fire with impotence or infertility

ming fan

Chronic vaginal discharge with eczema and itching, used as an external wash

chuan jiao + bai bu + ming fan + ku shen

Genital itching, used as an external wash alongside internal treatment

egg yolk

Swollen, painful scrotum, applied topically

ming fan + liu huang + xiong huang

Weeping skin lesions.

sesame oil

Itchy patches of lesions, applied topically

sha yuan zi + shan zhu yu + hai piao xiao + lu rong

Internally for vaginal discharge.

yin yang huo + tu si zi + wu wei zi + du zhong + feng mi

Impotence or infertility, taken internally

sang ji sheng + du zhong + gou ji + du huo

Low back pain.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 3-30g; Tincture: 2-4ml

3-30 g

—

2-4 ml

—

Cautions

caution Do not take internally with Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao; nor is it suited to itching of Damp-Heat type

caution Do not take internally with Heat signs from deficient Yin, or with frequent erections and spermatorrhea

pregnancy Avoid in pregnancy, or use only under a qualified practitioner's supervision

caution Classed as slightly toxic

caution Strong washes or ointments can irritate sensitive skin or genital mucosa and worsen acute, weeping or inflamed lesions; use a weaker preparation or test a small patch first, and stop if irritation develops

Interactions

Antagonistic with

ba dou Antagonistic pairing with Ba Dou (croton seed)
chuan bei mu Antagonistic pairing with Chuan Bei Mu (Sichuan fritillaria bulb); Zhe Bei Mu is antagonised in the same way
mu dan pi Antagonistic pairing with Mu Dan Pi (tree peony root bark)
zhe bei mu Antagonistic pairing with Zhe Bei Mu (Zhejiang fritillaria bulb); Chuan Bei Mu is antagonised in the same way

she chuang zi

About she chuang zi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Dries Damp, kills parasites and stops itching (topical)

Disperses Cold, dispels Wind and dries Damp

Warms and tonifies the Kidneys and strengthens Yang

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

About she chuang zi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Dries Damp, kills parasites and stops itching (topical)

Disperses Cold, dispels Wind and dries Damp

Warms and tonifies the Kidneys and strengthens Yang

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

Related

Used in 1 formula