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Che Qian Zi车前子

Plantaginis Semen · Plantain Seed

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

The small, slippery seeds of plantain, and one of the standard damp-draining diuretics: sweet and cold, entering the Kidney, Liver, Lung and Small Intestine channels. It promotes urination without harshness — classically described as separating the clear from the turbid, so damp leaves through the urine and the stools firm up — and it also clears the eyes and thins Lung phlegm. Being fine seeds it is wrapped for decoction. Dry-fried seeds sit more easily on a weak Spleen and lean toward stopping diarrhea; salt-prepared seeds are directed to the Kidney for urinary complaints and dim vision.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Liver · Kidney · Lung · Small Intestine

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
车前子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

5 core actions

  • Promotes urination, frees stranguryDamp-heat in the bladder with burning, difficult, scanty urination; edema with abdominal fullness.
  • Separates clear from turbid, stops diarrheaWatery diarrhea from damp, treated by drawing the damp out through the urine rather than binding the bowel.
  • Clears the Liver, brightens the eyesRed, swollen, painful eyes from Liver heat, and dim vision with Liver-Kidney deficiency when used in tonifying combinations.
  • Clears the Lung, transforms phlegmCough with thick, sticky sputum from Lung heat.
  • How the processed forms differDry-fried is easier on a weak Spleen and favors the anti-diarrheal use; salt-prepared is guided into the Kidney and is preferred for urinary problems and dim vision.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Che Qian Zi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Painful, scanty, burning urination; damp-heat strangury
    - Edema with abdominal distension
    - Watery diarrhea from damp
    - Red painful eyes; blurred vision
    - Lung-heat cough with thick sputum

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Urinary tract infectionEdemaDiarrheaConjunctivitisBronchitis

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and draining: unsuitable for frequent clear urination or seminal emission from Kidney-yang deficiency, and for Spleen-deficient loose stools without damp-heat. On longer courses watch fluid balance, particularly alongside prescription diuretics. Always wrap it for decoction — loose seeds turn into a sticky mass and irritate the throat.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — practitioner supervision required.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.