Pharbitis Seed – 1 lb (454 g)

Pharbitis Seed, known in Chinese as 牵牛子 (Qiānniúzǐ) and scientifically as Semen Pharbitidis, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Pharbitis Seed carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Pharbitis Seed helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Pharbitis Seed provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Pharbitis Seed has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Pharbitis Seed, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Black Morning Glory Seed, White Morning Glory Seed, Black Chou, and White Chou. It is the seed of Pharbitis nil (L.) Choisy or Pharbitis purpurea (L.) Voigt, plants of the Convolvulaceae family with three-lobed or round leaves. It is produced throughout most regions of China, mainly in Liaoning province. In autumn, when the fruit is mature but not yet split, the vines are cut, dried in the sun, and the seeds are threshed out and impurities removed.

[Properties] Bitter in taste, cold in nature, and toxic. Enters the Lung, Kidney, and Large Intestine meridians.

[Actions] Promotes urination and relieves constipation; expels phlegm and promotes diuresis; reduces food accumulation and kills parasites.

[Applications]
1. Used for edema, ascites, and beriberi-related swelling. For edema and ascites, it can be taken as a powder; for excess body conditions, often combined with Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Gan Sui (Kansui Radix), and Bing Lang (Arecae Semen); for kidney deficiency edema, combined with Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus), as in the formula Tian Zhen Dan (天真丹). For beriberi swelling, it can be prepared as honey pills.
2. Used for phlegm accumulation causing cough and asthma, often combined with Ting Li Zi (Descurainiae Semen), Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen), and Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex). For pediatric lung distention with phlegm-heat accumulation, characterized by chest fullness, rapid breathing, rib flaring, retractions, nasal flaring, restlessness, hoarse or absent voice, and copious phlegm, commonly called “horse spleen wind,” it should be taken as a powder with Da Huang and Bing Lang, as in the formula Niu Huang Duo Ming San (牛黄夺命散).
3. Used for pediatric high fever convulsions, spasms, facial redness with thirst, and dark yellow urine, often combined with Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) and Tian Zhu Huang (Bambusae Concretio Silicea), as in the formula Li Jing Wan (利惊丸).
4. Used for constipation, food stagnation, and abdominal pain due to parasites. For constipation, used alone or with Da Huang and Bing Lang, as in Da Huang Qian Niu San (大黄牵牛散); if accompanied by epigastric and abdominal distention, add Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium); if food stagnation persists, add Lai Fu Zi (Raphani Semen). For abdominal pain due to parasites, often combined with Bing Lang, Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis Fructus), and Wu Ti (Semen Oroxyli).
Additionally, Semen Pharbitidis has heat-clearing and detoxifying effects; powdered and applied topically, it can treat carbuncles and back sores; for wind-heat red eyes, it can be powdered and mixed with scallion juice for topical application. Modern clinical use also includes treatment of epilepsy and lymphadenitis with some efficacy.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 3–6 g; or incorporated into pills or powders. Stir-frying reduces its potency. External use: appropriate amount, powdered and sprinkled on affected areas.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in pregnancy; use with caution in weak patients. Avoid excessive or prolonged use.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Semen Pharbitidis contains pharbitin glycosides, which upon hydrolysis yield pharbitic acid, crotonic acid, nilic acid, α-methylbutyric acid, and valeric acid. The seeds also contain alkaloids such as ergometrine, ergonovine, ergocornine, ergocristine, and ergosterol derivatives. Seeds of Pharbitis purpurea contain gibberellins A3, A5, A8, A17, A19, A20, as well as stachyoside 7-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-O-β-D-arabinopyranoside and ergot alkaloids.
2. Pharmacological effects: Pharbitin glycosides enhance intestinal peristalsis, producing a strong laxative effect; stimulate isolated rabbit intestine and isolated rat uterine smooth muscle; exhibit anthelmintic effects against pig roundworms; aqueous extracts inhibit 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase isolated from fresh pig renal cortex, thereby prolonging the diuretic effect of prostaglandin E2.
3. Clinical reports: (1) Pediatric night crying: 7 Black Morning Glory seeds crushed and mixed with warm water applied to the navel before sleep and fixed with adhesive tape; 20 cases treated with all showing immediate effect the same night. [Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1983, (4):34] (2) Habitual constipation: 30 g Semen Pharbitidis, 24 g Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus (soap pod), 15 g Persicae Semen (peach kernel) ground into fine powder and made into honey pills weighing 3 g each; dose 3–6 g with warm water when constipated; 38 cases treated with 31 cured, 2 markedly effective, 5 ineffective. [Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1992, 13(6):266] (3) Enterobiasis: 50 g each of stir-fried Black and White Chou seeds, 10 g stir-fried Quisqualis Semen ground into fine powder; sesame oil fried egg formed into a pancake, hot powder sprinkled on top, steamed, rolled into a cylinder, taken once on an empty stomach in the morning. Dosage by age: 6–9 years, 4–6 g; 10–14 years, 6 g; 15–19 years, 8 g; taken every other day for 3 doses per course. 300 cases treated with 290 cured after one course, 10 cured after two courses, cure rate 100%. [Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1991, 18(8):43]