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Jue Ming Zi决明子

Cassiae Semen · Cassia Seed · Fetid Cassia Seed

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

Sweet, bitter, salty and slightly cold, cassia seed clears Liver heat and brightens the eyes while also moistening the intestines, so one herb covers both the red irritated eyes and the dry constipation of a patient whose heat runs in the Liver channel. It is crushed before decocting. Dry-fried Jue Ming Zi is markedly less cold and less loosening to the stool, which is the form used for long courses and in daily tea.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, bitter, salty · Slightly cold

Channels

Liver · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

10–15 g in decoction
决明子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears the Liver, brightens the eyesRed, swollen, painful eyes with photophobia and tearing; blurred vision where Liver heat is the driver.
  • Calms rising Liver yangHeadache and dizziness with irritability from Liver yang rising.
  • Moistens the intestines, moves the stoolDry, hard stool from heat and intestinal dryness.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Jue Ming Zi

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Red, painful, light-sensitive eyes
    - Blurred vision with Liver heat
    - Headache and dizziness of rising Liver yang
    - Constipation from intestinal dryness and heat

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

ConjunctivitisConstipationHypertensionHyperlipidemia

Contraindications

Cautions

It loosens the stool: unsuitable for Spleen deficiency with diarrhea, and to be used cautiously in patients whose blood pressure already runs low.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — its downward-draining, stool-loosening action makes routine use inadvisable; leave the decision to the treating practitioner.

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.