She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Fruit)

She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Fruit)

Cnidium Monnieri; Cnidii Fructus 

She Chuang Zi, literally meaning "snakes bed seeds", the cnidium fruit/seed is a fairly versatile herb. While it is often classified as an external use herb, it figures into many formulas covering a number of ailments.

With damp drying and parasite killing properties, it is used for dermal itching and swelling, and in some dit da jow recipes for bruising and as an external wash; its warming energy gives it cold and wind dispersing qualities, and entering the kidney meridian makes it useful for back pain and as a kidney yang strengthening herb.

Shi Chuang Zi enters the Kidney meridian making it useful for back pain and as a kidney yang strengthening herb. 

Properties

Pungent, bitter, warm

Channels Entered

Kidney