Jiu Ming Zi
(JMB026)
Cao Jiu Ming
Casssia Seed
Semen Caaiae
This medica herb is the mature seed of the annual herb, Cassia tora L. or C. obtusifolia L.
(Family Leguminosae), mainly produced in the provinces of Anhui, Guangxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and
Guangdong, etc. , cultivated both in the southern and northern regions of China, harvested in autumn,
dried in the sunlight. The seeds are collected and used raw or stir-baked. It is also called Cao Jiu Ming.
Properties: Sweetness, bitterness, saltiness in flavor, slightly coldness in nature, it acts on the
liver and large intestine channels. The moist quality, sweet flavor and the cold property of the herb clear
heat and liver fire, nourish Yin, improve vision, and ease the bowels by clearing heat and nourishing the
large intestine. Therefore, this herb is used for treating conjunctival congestion caused by liver-fire,
blurred vision due to deficiency of Yin and constipation caused by intestinal dryness.
Effects: Removing intensive heat from the liver and improving vision, moisturizing intestine and
easing the bowels.
Indications:
1. For treating conjunctival congestion, swelling and pain, dizziness and headache caused by the
flaming-up of liver-fire, it is used in combination with the herbs for clearing liver-fire and heat, such as
Long Dan (gentian root), Xia Ku Cao (prunella spike). For treating blurred vision due to Yin deficiency,
it is used together with Gou Ji Zi (wolfberry fruit) and Tu Si Zi (dodder seed) to nourish liver and
improve vision.
2. For treating heat accumulation in large intestine, constipation due to intestinal dryness, it is used in
combination with the herbs for relieving dryness and loosening the bowels, such as Guo Luo
(trichosanthes fruit), Yu Li Ren (bush-cherry seed), etc.
Dosage and Administration: 10~15g. The herb should not be over decocted if it is used to loosen
bowels.
Modern researches: The water and ethanol extracts of the herb in the experiments with anesthetic
dogs, cats, rabbits and mice produced the effect of lowering blood pressure. It is purgative when
administered with high dosage. Tested in vitro, ethanol extract of it shows the inhibiting effects on the
growth of staphylococci, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Salmonella typhi.
决明子《本经》
为豆科一年生草本植物决明 Cassia tora L. 或钝叶决明 C. obtusifolia L. 的成熟种子。
主 产于安徽, 广西、四川、浙江、广东等省 ,南北各地均有栽培。秋季采收, 晒干,打下种子 , 生
用或炒用。本品又名草决明。
【 药性说明】味甘、苦、咸 , 性微寒。归肝、大肠经。本品甘寒质润 , 清热益阴, 能清降肝
火、益阴明目 , 又可清润大肠而通便。故肝火目赤、阴虚目暗、肠燥便秘均可应用。
【药物功效】清肝明目 , 润肠通便。
【临床应用】
1. 治肝火上炎目赤肿痛 , 眩晕头痛 , 可配龙胆草、夏枯草等清肝泻火药同用 ; 若属阴虚目
暗者 , 可配枸杞子、菟丝子等养肝明目药。
2. 用于大肠热结 , 肠燥便秘 , 可配瓜萎、郁李仁等润肠通便药。
【用量用法】 lO~15 克。通便不宜久煎。
【现代研究】水浸剂和乙醇浸剂对麻醉狗、猫、兔、大鼠均有降压作用 , 大剂量可致泻。醇提
取物在体外对葡萄球菌、白喉及伤寒杆菌等有抑制作用。
Basic knowledge of Herbology