Qian Niu Zi
Pharbitis nil (L.) Choisy; Pharbitis purpurea (L.) Voigt
☯ TCM Properties
Drains Water and Reduces Edema; Purges Heat and Unblocks the Bowels; Resolves Phlegm-Fluid Retention; Kills parasites and resolves accumulation
Botanical Description
Pharbitis nil (syn. Ipomoea nil), Japanese morning glory, is an annual twining vine in the Convolvulaceae family, climbing 2-3 m by means of slender stems clothed with retrorse hairs. The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate to three-lobed, 7-15 cm across, cordate at the base, and softly hairy on both surfaces. The showy funnel-shaped flowers, 5-8 cm across, open in the early morning and may be blue, purple, pink, red, or white, often with a paler throat; they are borne singly or in small axillary cymes on long peduncles. The fruit is a globose capsule about 1 cm in diameter enclosing three to six trigonous, hard, black or pale (Pharbitis purpurea-type) seeds. Qian Niu Zi is the dried mature seed (POWO; Wikipedia).
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Di Gu Pi (wolfberry root bark, lycium root bark) is a cool herb that descends into the Blood to clear "steaming bone" fever — the deep deficiency heat pattern characterized by afternoon fever, night sweats, and a feverish sensation in the bones. It also clears Lung Heat for persistent cough and bleeding, and its secondary action cools the Blood to address heat-driven bleeding conditions. It is a fundamental Yin-deficiency herb used in formulas for constitutional debility with heat signs.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
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.