Herb: She Chuang Zi


Latin name: Cnidium monnieri


Family: Umbelliferae



Medicinal use of She Chuang Zi:

She Chuang Zi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicine. It is mainly used externally as a lotion, powder or ointment for skin conditions such as eczema, ringworm and scabies. The seed is antipruritic, aphrodisiac, antirheumatic, astringent, carminative, discutient, sedative, vermifuge and vulnerary. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of Trichomonas vaginitis, leucorrhoea and uterine displacement. The seed is also used in the treatment of impotence, often in conjunction with Schisandra chinensis. It has been shown to have an action similar to the sex hormones, prolonging and reviving the copulation period, increasing the weight of the uterus and ovary, prostate gland and testicle. A decoction of the seed or whole plant is applied externally to skin problems including weeping eczema.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial

Habitat of the herb:

Field edges and the sides of ditches in China.

Edible parts of She Chuang Zi:

Young shoots. No further details are given, but some caution is suggested because of a report of slight toxicity.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation of She Chuang Zi:

Field edges and the sides of ditches in China.

Known hazards of Cnidium monnieri:

One report says that the plant is slightly toxic.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.