Cnidium Fruit (Shechuangzi)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Fructus Cnidii |
| Botanical Name: | Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. |
| Common Name: | Cnidium fruit |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The ripe fruit is collected in autumn, and then dried in the sun. |
| Properties and Taste: | Pungent, bitter and warm |
| Meridian: | Kidney |
| Functions: | To warm the kidneys and strengthen the yang To dispel dampness and kill worms Stops Itching |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Dries Dampness, Kills Parasites and Stops itching Clinical manifestations include damp accumulation in the lower body manifesting in weeping, itching skin lesions, especially around the genital area and the toes. Other skin disorders include eczema (of the scrotum, genital area, feet and anus), trichomoniasis, genital itching or vaginal discharge in females due to vaginitis, hemorrhoids, scabies and ringworm. She Chuang Zi is warm, and most effective against dermatological disorders caused by wind and cold. When treating lesions due to heat or dampness, heat-clearing and dampness-drying herbs should be added. This herb can be used both internally and externally. She Chuang Zi dries dampness and effectively dispels wind to relieve itching. ~Genital itching: Use She Chuang Zi with Hua Jiao (Pericarpium Zanthoxyli), Bai Bu (Radix Stemonae), Ming Fan (Alumen), and Ku Shen Gen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) as an external wash. Soak the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes one time each day. Take with Lung Dan Xie Gan Tang internally. ~Swollen, painful scrotum: Use powdered She Chuang Zi mixed with egg yolk, applied topically. ~Hemorrhoid pain: use it alone as an external wash or soak. ~Scabies: use it alone as powder topically ~Weeping skin lesions: Use this herb with Ming Fan (Alumen), Liu Huang (Sulfur) and Xiong Huang (Realgar). ~Itching lesions in patches: mix powdered She Chuang Zi with sesame oil and apply topically. 2. Disperses Cold and Dispels Wind Turbid white vaginal discharge: This condition is usually caused by deficiencies of the Spleen, Kidney, ren (conception) and chong (thoroughfare) channels. ~Vaginal discharge: use powdered She Chuang Zi as vaginal suppository. It may be combined with Ming Fan (Alumen). Take it with Sha Yuan Zi (Semen Astragali Complanati), Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) and Hai Piao Xiao (Enchoncha Sepiae) and Lu Rong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum) for internal use. Lower back: She Chuang Zi is effective to treat low back pain caused by wind-damp-cold and Kidney yang deficiency. ~Low back pain: Use She Chuang Zi with Sang Ji Sheng (Herba Taxilli), Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae), Gou Ji (Rhizoma Cibotii) and Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis). 3. Warms the Kidney and Strengthens Yang Impotence and infertility: She Chuang Zi effectively treats impotence and infertility in men and women due to Kidney yang deficiency. ~Impotence and infertility: combine it with Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii), Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae), Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) and Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae). Serve it with alcohol and honey. |
| Dosage: | 3-10 g in decoctions, pill or powder 15-30 g when used as an external wash or soak, mixed with water or oil. |
| Cautions: | This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency of yin with excessive fire or damp-heat in the lower jiao. |