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Man Jing Zi蔓荊子

Viticis Fructus · Vitex Fruit · Chastetree Fruit

Herbs that Release the Exterior 解表药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》

Overview

The dried ripe fruit of a coastal vitex shrub — small, dark and aromatic when crushed. Acrid, bitter and cool, it is light and rising by nature, which is why it is reached for when wind-heat has settled in the head rather than the chest: headache across the forehead and temples, red or watering eyes, ringing in the ears, a heavy fogged head. Dry-frying tempers its dispersing edge and makes it easier on a weak stomach, so the fried fruit is the usual choice for longer courses and for older patients.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Cool

Channels

Bladder · Liver · Stomach

Typical Dosage

5–12 g in decoction
蔓荊子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Disperses wind-heat, clears the head and eyesWind-heat headache concentrated in the forehead and temples, red swollen eyes, tearing on exposure to wind, tinnitus, and a muffled heavy head.
  • Frees the channels, eases wind-damp painAching and stiffness of the neck, shoulders and limbs where wind-damp obstructs the surface; combined with other wind-damp herbs rather than used alone.
  • Dry-fried formDry-frying softens the acrid dispersing quality and reduces stomach upset; the raw fruit is preferred while the wind-heat is still acute.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Man Jing Zi

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Wind-heat headache, especially frontal and temporal
    - Red, swollen or watering eyes; dizziness with a heavy head
    - Tinnitus and dulled hearing attributed to wind-heat rising
    - Wind-damp aching of the neck and shoulders

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Tension headacheMigraineConjunctivitisTinnitus

Contraindications

Cautions

Light and dispersing, so it suits headache and dizziness that come from wind-heat, not from emptiness: headaches on a background of blood or qi deficiency are usually made worse by it. Some patients find the raw fruit sits badly on the stomach — the dry-fried form is gentler.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

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.