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Cura x Cura

Li Zhi He荔枝核

Litchi Semen · Lychee Seed · Litchi Pit

Herbs that Regulate the Qi 理气药《本草衍义》

Overview

The hard brown seed left when the lychee is eaten, cracked and dried for use. Acrid, slightly bitter and warm, it enters the Liver and Stomach with a narrow and well-defined job: it moves stagnant qi and breaks up cold clumping in the lower abdomen. That makes it the classical herb for shan qi — dragging, cold, painful swelling of the groin and testes — and, by the same reasoning, for cold cramping period pain.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, slightly bitter · Warm

Channels

Liver · Stomach

Typical Dosage

4.5–9 g in decoction
荔枝核Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Moves qi, dissipates clumpingShan qi disorders: dragging pain and swelling of the groin and testes, and hard distending lumps in the lower abdomen. Classically paired with Xiao Hui Xiang 小茴香.
  • Dispels cold, relieves painCold cramping menstrual pain and lower abdominal pain after childbirth; epigastric pain where cold and qi stagnation sit together.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Li Zhi He

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Dragging, cold pain and swelling of the groin or testes
    - Cold cramping period pain and lower abdominal pain after childbirth
    - Epigastric pain from cold with qi stagnation

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Inguinal hernia painOrchitisEpididymitisDysmenorrheaFunctional dyspepsia

Contraindications

Cautions

Warm and moving, so it is inappropriate where the pain comes from heat, or from yin deficiency with heat signs. It is also a symptomatic herb and does not address the structure underneath: sudden testicular pain, a new or enlarging groin lump, and a hernia that will not reduce are surgical questions and need a doctor first. Lychee belongs to the soapberry family and is a recognised food allergen for a small number of people.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not used in pregnancy without practitioner supervision — it moves qi and dispels cold in the lower abdomen

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

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.