Che Qian Zi
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Che Qian Zi in TCM:

Explore the properties of Che Qian Zi according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:
English Name: plantago seed, asiatic plantain seed, plantain seed
Pharmacuetical Name: Semen Plantaginis
Properties: sweet, cold


Temperature: cold

Channels: LU, UB, KD, LV

Flavors: sweet

Special Properties:
clears heat, clears damp, resolves phlegm, resolves summer heat


    Alternate Forms:
  • Che Qian Cao (Herba Plantago Asiatica) - sweet, cold; similar to che qian zi's actions, especially good at clearing heat, relieving toxicity; 10-20 gm

Actions / Indications:
  • Promotes urination; Clears Damp Heat from Bladder (damp-heat lin, damp heat in lower jiao, bloody lin, edema)
  • Solidifies stool via urination (diarrhea d/t summer heat, especially watery diarrhea due to excessive dampness; infantile diarrhea)
  • Clears LV heat and benefits the eyes (LV or KD yin def w/ dry/red/swollen eyes or sensitive to light; modern use for hypertension)
  • Expels phlegm from LU (profuse yellow phlegm)

    Special Notes:
  • (cooking: decoct in cheesecloth)
  • There are many different species of plantago, but according to the literature all species of plantago have a similar function and can be used interchangeably.

Contraindications:
  • (cc: pregnancy)