Huo Ma Ren火麻仁
Cannabis Semen · Hemp Seed · Cannabis Seed
Overview
The mature seed of hemp, used as an oily food-grade seed rather than as a purgative drug: sweet, neutral and rich in oil, it softens and lubricates dry stool instead of forcing the bowel. That gentleness is the whole point — it is the laxative reached for in the elderly, after childbirth and after a febrile illness, where fluids are depleted and a harsh purgative would do damage. The seeds are crushed before decocting, or the oil never leaves the shell.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet · NeutralChannels
Spleen · Stomach · Large IntestineTypical Dosage
10–15 g in decoctionActions
2 core actions
- Moistens the intestines, frees the stoolDry, hard, difficult stool from depleted fluids: in the elderly, after childbirth, after fever, or habitual constipation in a weakened patient.
- Nourishes and moistens drynessSupports the fluids while it moves the bowel — the reason it anchors Ma Zi Ren Wan rather than sitting among the harsh purgatives.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Huo Ma Ren
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Dry constipation in the elderly and the depleted
- Constipation after childbirth or febrile illness
- Intestinal dryness with insufficient fluids
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Very large amounts have been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness — keep to the prescribed dose and do not eat the seed by the handful as a home remedy. Unsuitable where stools are already loose or diarrhea is present.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical pregnancy contraindication, but any bowel-moving herb in pregnancy should be prescribed and supervised by a practitioner.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- 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.