Vaccaria Seed (Wangbuliuxing)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Semen Vaccariae |
| Botanical Name: | Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke |
| Common Name: | Vaccaria seed, Cow Soapwort Seed |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The whole plant is harvested in June or July. After it has been dried in the sun, the seeds are removed from their shells. They are then dried again. |
| Properties and Taste: | Bitter and neutral |
| Meridian: | Liver and stomach |
| Functions: | To invigorate blood and promote menstruation To promote lactation |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Dysmenorrhea by retardation of blood circulation or amenorrhea caused by blood stagnation. *Use with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong), Safflower (Honghua) and Motherwort (Yimucao). 2. Postpartum insufficient lactation. *Use with Pangolin scales (Chuanshanjia) and Rice paper pith (Tongcao). If there is deficiency of qi and blood, Astragalus root (Huangqi), and Chinese angelica root (Danggui) are added. 3. Mastitis with pain and swollen breasts. *Use with Dandelion herb (Pugongying), Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua) and Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou). |
| Dosage: | 6-10 g |
| Cautions: | This herb should be used with caution during pregnancy. |