Qian Shi – Foxnut – Semen Euryales

Qian Shi

English Name: euryale fruit

Literal Translation: “gorgon fruit”

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Euryales

Medica Category: Astringent Herbs

Properties: Qian Shi enters the Kidney and Spleen channels; it is sweet and astringent in nature and neutral in temperature.

What is Qian Shi?:

The Chinese Herb Qian Shi is the dried, starchy seed of the prickly water lily (aka gorgon plant– Euryale ferox Salisb.) that also goes by the common names of “fox nut” or “makhana”. The plant that produces these nuts is cultivated in lowland ponds in India, China, and Japan. They are gathered in late autumn to early winter, peeled, and sun-dried. For use as medicine, they are crushed and either left unprocessed or dry-fried to increase their tonifying actions on the Spleen and Kidney—see below.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Qian Shi:

Qian Shi tonifies the Spleen and dries internal dampness to address chronic diarrhea when the Spleen’s ability to absorb water into the body is compromised by deficiency. The excess water builds up in the intestines and causes diarrhea. Qian Shi both strengthens the Spleen and soaks up excess water to address this problem.

Qian Shi tonifies the Kidney and consolidates jing (essence) to address spermatorrhea, enuresis, and profuse vaginal discharge.