tu si zi

菟丝子·Semen Cuscutae

Cuscuta

About tu si zi

Tu Si Zi (菟丝子) is the seed of dodder, a parasitic vine, recorded as Semen Cuscutae. It is acrid and sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Liver and Kidney channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that tonify Yang.

Names

Pinyintu si zi
Chinese菟丝子
Latin NameSemen Cuscutae
English NameCuscuta·Uscuta·dodder seed
Japanesetoshishi
Koreantosaja

Classification

Category
Tonify Yang
Channels
Kidney, Liver
Flavour
Acrid, Sweet
Temperature
Neutral
Part used
Seed
Family
Convolvulaceae
Species
cucuta chinensis
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin, secures Jing and urine and benefits the marrow

  • Impotence, seminal emission, premature ejaculation, frequent urination, vaginal discharge, tinnitus and a sore, painful back from Kidney Yang deficiency
  • Frequent urination at night

Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys and brightens the eyes

  • Liver and Kidney deficiency, whether of Yin, Yang or Jing, causing dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision or spots in the visual field

Strengthens the Spleen and Kidneys and stops diarrhea

  • Loose stools, diarrhea and poor appetite from Spleen and Kidney deficiency
  • Daybreak diarrhea

Calms the fetus

  • Threatened or habitual miscarriage, particularly from Kidney deficiency

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 6-18g; Tincture: 2-5ml6-18 g2-5 ml

Cautions

Prepared forms (1)

tu si zi Yan Zhi

菟丝子·Semen Cuscutae

Tu Si Zi (Yan Zhi) (菟丝子) is tu si zi processed with salt, the seed of dodder, recorded as Semen Cuscutae. Beyond the names the record holds no category, channels or actions.

The catalogue records no separate actions, dose or cautions for this preparation. Unless noted above it follows tu si zi.