Qian Shi芡实
Euryales Semen · Euryale Seed · Fox Nut
Overview
The starchy seed of the prickly waterlily, eaten as a food as readily as it is prescribed. Sweet and astringent with a neutral nature, entering the Spleen and Kidney, it tonifies while it holds — building the Spleen so diarrhea settles, securing the Kidney so essence and urine are no longer lost, and drying the dampness behind chronic vaginal discharge. Dry-fried as Qian Shi (Chao) Qian Shi it becomes more astringent and better suited to loose stool; the plain seed is a little more tonifying.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet, astringent · NeutralChannels
Spleen · KidneyTypical Dosage
10–15 g in decoctionActions
4 core actions
- Tonifies the Spleen, stops diarrheaChronic loose stool with a poor appetite and tiredness from Spleen deficiency with dampness.
- Secures the Kidney, restrains the essenceSeminal emission, frequent or night urination and enuresis where the Kidney has lost its grip — classically with Jin Ying Zi 金樱子.
- Dries dampness, ends abnormal dischargeChronic, thin white vaginal discharge from Spleen deficiency with damp, often with Shan Yao 山药.
- Dry-fried form Qian ShiQian Shi (Chao) Qian Shi is more astringent and gentler on the Spleen, preferred for loose stool; the unprocessed seed leans slightly more toward tonification.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Qian Shi
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Chronic diarrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp
- Seminal emission and frequent or nighttime urination
- Enuresis in children and the elderly
- Chronic thin white vaginal discharge
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Astringent and stabilizing, so it is the wrong herb where something needs to come out: constipation, abdominal distention, and acute diarrhea from food stagnation or an excess pattern. Not toxic — it is a common food.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies
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.