Semen Cassiae (Jue Ming Zi)

DESCRIPTION

Semen Cassiae Obtusioliae Slightly rhomboidal-cuboids or shortly cylindrical, both ends pararell and oblique, 3~7 mm long, 2~4 mm wide. Externally greenish-brown or dark brown, smooth and lustrous. One end relatively even, the other end oblique and acuminate, dorsal and ventral surfaces exhibiting a raised rib respectively, with an obliquely symmetrical and paler-colored dented line on each side of a rib. Texture hard and uneasily broken. Testa thin, cotyledons 2, yellow, S-shaped. Odor, slight; taste, slightly bitter.
Semen Cassiae Tarae Shortly cylindrical, relatively small, 3~5 mm long, 2~3 mm wide, with broad yellowish-brown bands on both sides of the rib.

ACTION

To remove heat, to improve eyesight, and to relax bowels.

INDICATIONS

Inflammation of the eye with pain, photophobia and lacrimination; headache, dizziness, blurred vision and constipation.

REFERENTIAL ADVICE

1. Reducing liver-heat to brighten the eyes
It is indicated in bloodshot eyes with aversion of light and an overflow of light and an overflow of tears due to liver-heat or attack on the liver channel by wind-heat. For the treatment of syndrome of liver-heat, it may be combined with Spica Prunellae, Fructus Gardeniae; for syndrome of wind-heat, with Folium Mori, Flos Chrysanthemi. It is also used to treat advanced optic atrophy, internal oculopathy, blurred vision, eyes without luster; in these cases, it is often combined with Radix Rehmanniae, Fructus Lycii, Radix Scrophulariae, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, etc.

2. Lubrication the intestines and relieving constipation
For the treatment of constipation due to the dryness of intestines, it can be used as a single medicine, or combined with Fructus Cannabis, Semen Pruni, etc. Besides, it is also often used to treat headache, as one of the symptoms of hypertension due to hyperactivity of liver-Yang, and it has got effects.

TIPS

A very natural-acting laxative; safe and effective for chronic constipation; it also lowers blood pressure effectively.