Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
Che Qian Zi 车前子
Semen Plantaginis Plantago Seed, Plantain Seed
Also known as Che Qian Ren
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Cold
- Nature & Flavour
- Sweet, Cold
- Channels Entered
- KI, BL, LIV, LU
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Semen Plantaginis
- Chinese
- 车前子
- Tone Marks
- chē qián zĭ
- Also Known As
- Che Qian Ren
- Translation
- Before the Cart Seeds, Seed in Front of the Cart
Chinese Herb Actions
- Resolves Dampness, Clears Heat, and Promotes Urination For painful, difficult, or hot urinary dysfunction (Re Ling) and edema caused by Damp-Heat with symptoms such as burning, pain, urgency on urination, dribbling, or a lack of ability to urinate.
- Promotes Urination and Stops Diarrhea For diarrhea caused by Dampness in the intestines. Che Qian Zi moves water to the Bladder and promotes urination to solidify the stool.
- Brightens the Eyes For eye problems due to heat in the Liver channel or headaches associated with ascending Liver Yang. Symptoms include redness, pain, or swelling of the eyes.
- Dissolves Phlegm, Clears the Lungs, and Stops Cough For cough due to heat in the Lungs with symptoms such as thick, copious, and yellow sputum.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 5-10 grams
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use during pregnancy.
- Use caution in cases deficient Yang Qi or exhaustion.
Herb-Drug Interactions
- Che Qian Zi promotes urination and may interfere with Diuretic drugs.
Chinese Herb Notes
- Frying this herb with salt increases it's tonifying effects on the Liver an Kidneys.
- Che Qian Zi may float, stick to the sides of the cooking pot, or be difficult to strain. It is therefore usually decocted in a small bag or cheesecloth.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
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