Single Herbs

Category	Xie Xia Yao 瀉下藥
Sub Category	Jun Xia Zhu Shui 峻下逐水
Name	Qian Niu Zi 牽牛子 Morning glory seed
Grown	Throughout China.
Source	The dried seed of Pharbitis nil (L.) Choisy and its family.
Ingredients	Palmitic acid, Gibberellin A3 glucoside, Gibberellin A20, Pharbitic acid C, D
Pharma Effect	Laxative effect: oral ingestion of the decoction increases the defecation in white mice after 3 to 4 hours.
Properties	Bitter, cold, toxic
Channels	Lung, kidney, large intestine
Function	Directs qi downward, unblocks urination and defecation, reduces edema and kills parasites.
Clinic Usage	For nephritis, edema, phlegm-dampness, urinary difficulty, accumulation of parasite, food stagnation and constipation.
Cautions	Contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases of deficient spleen or qi. Do not use with Semen Croton Tiglii(ba dou) or prepared Semen Croton Tiglii(ba dou shuang).
Dosage	3~6g
Storage	Store in a dry, well-ventilated place.