 Plantain
seed (Cheqianzi)
Pharmaceutical Name: Semen plantaginis
Botanical Name: 1. Plantago asiatice L.;
2. Plantago depressa willd.
Common Name: Plantain seed, Plantain herb
Source of Earliest Record : Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The seeds, gathered in summer
or autumn when they are ripe, are dry-fried
or fried with salt water.
Properties & Taste : Sweet and cold
Meridians : Kidney, liver and lung
Functions :
1. To promote water metabolism and relieve
abnormal urination;
2. To stop diarrhea;
3. To clear heat in the liver and brighten
eyes;
4. To clear the lung and resolve phlegm
Indications & Combinations:
1. Damp-heat flowing into the urinary bladder
manifested as dysuria, painful urination,
frequent urination and distending and full
sensation in the lower abdominal region. Plantain
seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Clematis stem
(Mutong), Capejasmine (Zhizi) and Talc (Huashi)
in the formula Bazheng San.
2. Damp-heat diarrhea. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi)
is used with Poria (Fuling), White atractylodes
(Baizhu) and Alismatis rhizome (Zexie).
3. Heat in the liver manifested as red, painful
and swollen eyes. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi)
is used with Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua),
Chinese gentian (Longdancao) and Scutellaria
root (Huangqin).
4. Deficiency of yin in the liver and kidney
manifested as blurred vision and cataracts.
Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Fresh
rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Ophiopogon
root (Maidong) and Wolfberry fruit (Gouqizi).
5. Cough with profuse sputum due to heat
in the lungs. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is
used with Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou), Scutellaria
root (Huangqin) and Tendrilled fritillary
bulb (Chuanbeimu).
Dosage: 5-10 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb should be wrapped in cloth for decoctions
if a strainer is not used. |
