Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Qian Niu Zi牵牛子

Pharbitidis Semen · Morning Glory Seed · Pharbitis Seed

Downward-Draining Herbs 泻下药《名医别录》

Overview

The seed of the morning glory, sold in a dark form (Hei Chou) and a pale one (Bai Chou) that are used interchangeably. Bitter and cold with recognised toxicity, it is a harsh downward-draining agent: it drives accumulated water out through both stool and urine, breaks up stubborn food accumulation, and expels intestinal parasites. This is a short-course herb for a robust patient with a genuine excess, never a routine one.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold · Toxic

Channels

Lung · Kidney · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
牵牛子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Drives out water, purges downwardSevere generalized edema and abdominal fluid distention in a patient whose constitution can take it — the water leaves by both stool and urine.
  • Reduces stubborn accumulationFood and phlegm accumulation with a hard, full abdomen and constipation.
  • Expels parasitesIntestinal roundworm and tapeworm, usually combined with other antiparasitic herbs.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Qian Niu Zi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Severe edema and abdominal fluid accumulation with an excess constitution
    - Constipation with hard, full abdominal accumulation
    - Phlegm-fluid congestion with wheezing and cough in excess patterns
    - Intestinal parasites

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EdemaAscitesConstipationIntestinal parasites

Contraindications

Cautions

This herb is toxic and is a harsh purgative. Overdose brings vomiting, abdominal pain, watery or bloody diarrhea, and in serious cases damage to the kidneys and the nervous system. It is used only for a genuine excess accumulation in a patient strong enough to bear it, for a short course, at a dose the practitioner sets — the powder is markedly stronger than the decoction, so its dose is lower. Contraindicated in weak, deficient or elderly patients and in anyone already dehydrated. Classical incompatibility: not combined with Ba Dou 巴豆. Do not self-medicate with it.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — do not use

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(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.