Individual Herbs Notebook

菟丝子 Tu Si Zi

Pharmaceutical: Semen Cuscutae

Other names: Chinese Dodder Seeds

Category: Herbs that Tonify Yang


Properties: Sweet, astringing, slightly warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidney, Spleen and Liver

Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Strengthens Yang, nourishes Yin, astringes Jing and urine and benefits the marrow
    Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, tinnitus, urinary frequency, sore painful back and vaginal discharge
  2. Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver and improves vision
    Deficient Liver and Kidney Yin, Yang and Jing with dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision or spots before the eyes
  3. Benefits the Kidneys and Spleen and stops (astringes) diarrhoea
    Diarrhoea, loose stools and anorexia from Spleen and Kidney Deficiency
  4. Calms the fetus
    Habitual or threatened miscarriage
  5. Aids fasting
    Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, brighten the eyes, make the body light and prolong life. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.

Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and difficult urination because of its warm property and tonifying and astringing actions.

Notable Constituents:
Appears in 25 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
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