This product is the mature seed of the annual twining herb Dodder Seed (Cuscuta chinensis Lam.) from the Convolvulaceae family. It is widely distributed in most regions of mainland China. The plant is harvested in autumn when the fruits are mature, dried, and the seeds are collected by threshing, removing impurities, and then used either raw or processed with saltwater.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet, warm. act on liver, kidney and spleen channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonifying the kidney to constrain seminal emission, nourishing blood and improving vision, stopping diarrhea, calming the fetus.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for kidney-deficiency lumbago, impotence, seminal emission, frequent urination, leukorrhea, etc. It can tonify kidney yang and kidney yin, and has the effects of consolidating essence, reducing urination, and stopping leukorrhea. For treating soreness and pain in the waist and knees, it is often combined with Eucommia Bark; for treating impotence and seminal emission, it is often combined with Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, Schisandra Fruit, palmleaf raspberry fruit, etc., such as Five-Seed Procreating Pill; for treating incontinence of urine, it is often combined with mantis egg-case, Pilose Antler, Schisandra Fruit, etc.; for treating leukorrhea and turbid urine, it is often combined with Poria, Lotus Seed, Gordon Euryale Seed, etc., such as Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang Poria and Cuscuta Pill.
2. Used for blurred vision and decreased vision due to liver and kidney deficiency and lack of nourishment to the eyes. It can tonify the kidney and nourish the liver, allowing essence and blood to rise and improve vision. It is often combined with Prepared Rehmannia Root, Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, Plantain Seed, etc., such as Permanent Eyesight Pill.
3. Used for spleen and kidney deficiency diarrhea. It can warm the kidney and tonify the spleen to stop deficiency diarrhea. It is often combined with Ginseng, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Psoralea, etc.
4. Used for threatened abortion due to liver and kidney deficiency. It has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidney and stabilizing the fetus. It is often used in combination with Dipsacus, Chinese Taxillus Herb, Donkey-hide Gelatin, such as Fetus-Preserving Pill.
5. In addition, Dodder Seed can also treat kidney deficiency consumptive thirst, often combined with Snakegourd Root, Schisandra Fruit, Pilose Antler, etc.
6. Soaked in wine and applied externally, it also has a certain therapeutic effect on vitiligo.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "It primarily heals injuries, supplements deficiencies, tonifies qi, strengthens the body, and its juice removes facial blemishes."
2. Yaoxing Lun: "It treats deficiency and cold in both men and women, enhances essence and replenishes marrow, relieves lower back pain and cold knees, and also treats consumptive thirst and heat in the middle."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 10-15g. Apply an appropriate amount externally.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains resin glycosides, sugars, flavonoids, and other compounds. It can enhance the contractility of isolated toad hearts, reduce blood pressure in anesthetized dogs, inhibit intestinal movement, stimulate isolated uteri, delay the development of galactose-induced internal visual obstruction in rats, and has a certain therapeutic effect. It also has a therapeutic effect on the "yang deficiency" model in mice induced by hydrocortisone and can enhance non-specific resistance.