Single Herb Glossary
Tǔ Sī Zǐ 菟絲子
| Pharmaceutical name | Cuscutae Semen Cuscuta Chinese dodder seeds “rabbit string seed” “hare silk seed” |
| Category | Tonify Yang |
| Key Properties | Warms the primal yang Nourishes the yin Secures the essence Tonifies KD, LV & SP without being cloying |
| Properties | Acrid Sweet Neutral |
| Tropism | KD, LV |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Tonifies the yang, Augments the yin, and Secures the essence and the urine 2) Tonifies the KD and LV and Improves the vision 3) Benefits the SP and KD and Stops diarrhea 4) Calms the fetus (threatened miscarriage) |
| Dosages | 6-15g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Fire from Yin def or in those with constipation and scanty, dark urine |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Cholesterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, β-amyrin |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Hepatoprotective: administration of 20% decoction of herb has marked hepatoprotective effect in mice, especially against carbon tetrachloride • General strengthening: decoction shown to increase resistance to hypoxia and increase swimming time in mice |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Tu Si Zi Wan (Cuscuta Seed Pill) 菟絲子丸 Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven treasure special pill for beautiful whiskers) 七寶美髯丸 Shou Tai Wan (Fetus Longevity Pill) 壽胎丸 Bao Chan Wu You Fang (Worry-Free Formula to Protect Birth) 保產無憂方 You Gui Wan (Restore the right [kidney] pill) 右歸丸 (右归丸) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.