Jue Ming Zi
StarSenna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Brightens the Eyes; Clears Liver Fire; Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang; Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels
Traditional Chinese Uses
Jue Ming Zi (cassia seed) has been valued in Chinese herbal medicine for centuries as a primary herb for eye conditions, particularly those caused by Liver Fire or Wind-Heat patterns presenting as redness, soreness, excessive tearing, or sensitivity to light. It also gently descends Liver Yang to relieve headaches and dizziness, and its mild laxative quality makes it useful for constipation due to intestinal dryness, especially in the elderly or debilitated.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S.Irwin and Barneby, formerly placed in Cassia, is an annual or short-lived perennial herb in the family Fabaceae, typically reaching 0.5 to 2 meters in height. Stems are erect, branching, slightly woody at the base and smooth or finely hairy. The leaves are pinnately compound, alternate, with two or three pairs of obovate leaflets 2 to 5 cm long, the terminal pair largest; a small elongate gland is usually present between the lowest leaflet pair. Flowers are yellow, about 1 to 1.5 cm across, with five free petals, borne singly or in pairs in the leaf axils. The fruit is a slender, curved, four-angled legume 10 to 20 cm long containing numerous lustrous, rhombohedral seeds that are olive-brown to grey-green and lie obliquely in the pod. Native to the Americas, the plant has naturalized widely in Asia, where the ripe seeds are harvested in autumn as Jue Ming Zi.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Jue Ming Zi.
No notes yet.