Jue Ming Zi

English Name: cassia seed, sickle pod senna seed

Literal Translation: “seed of brightness”

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Cassiae

Medica Category: Liver-Calming and Wind-Extinguishing Herbs

Properties: Jue Ming Zi enters the Liver and Large Intestine channels; it is sweet and bitter in nature and cool in temperature.

What is Jue Ming Zi?:

The Chinese Herb Jue Ming Zi is the dried seeds of a plant in the pea/bean family commonly known in North America as sicklepod for the long, narrow seed pods that are produced by the plant after flowering (Cassia obtusifolia L.; Cassia tora L.). Jue Ming Zi comes from the seeds inside of these sickle-shaped pods; they are harvested in the autumn when they are ripe and dried for use as medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Jue Ming Zi:

Jue Ming Zi clears heat from the Liver channel to benefit the eyes. Clinically, it addresses eye disorders with such symptoms as redness, dryness, swelling, itching, photophobia, and superficial visual obstructions.

Jue Ming Zi calms the liver and anchors Liver yang rising, clinical presentation of which includes symptoms such as: dizziness, vertigo, red, flushed face, and irritability.

Jue Ming Zi clears heat and moistens the bowels to address dry stools and constipation.

Jue Ming Zi is used in China to lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol to treat atherosclerosis.

–safety/clinical notes:

Contraindicated for persons with cold/deficiency in the Spleen and Stomach.

Contraindicated for persons with hypotension.

Use with caution during pregnancy as Jue Ming Zi stimulates contractions of the uterus.

Jue Ming Zi has a diuretic effect and should be used with caution in persons concurrently taking diuretic drugs such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), and torsemide (Demadex) to avoid the potential of increased elimination of water and/or loss of electrolytes.