Flattened Milkvetch Seed (Shayuanzi)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Semen Astragali complanati (Leguminosae) |
| Botanical Name: | Astragalus complanatus R. Br. |
| Common Name: | Flatstem Milkvetch seed |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Bencao Yanyi |
| art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The ripe seeds are collected in late autumn or early winter. The seeds are then fried with salt water. |
| Properties and Taste: | Sweet and warm |
| Meridian: | Liver and kidney |
| Functions: | To tonify the kidneys and control essence To nourish the liver and brighten the eyes |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Deficient kidneys manifested as impotence, seminal emissions, premature ejaculation or leukorrhea. *Use with Dragon’s bone (Longgu), Oyster shell (Muli) and Euryale seed (Qianshi). 2. Blurred vision due to deficiency of liver blood. *Use with Dadder seed (Tusizi), Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua), Wolfberry fruit (Gouqizi) and Grossy privet fruit (Nuzhenzi). |
| Dosage: | 10-20 g |
| Cautions: | This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency of yin with excessive fire, as well as dysuria. |