Cnidium Fruit (She Chuang Zi)

蛇床子
Cnidium fruit (Shechuangzi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Cnidii

Botanical Name: Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss.

Common Name: Cnidium fruit

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: The ripe fruit is collected in autumn, and then dried in the sun.

Natural Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm

Meridian: Kidney

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To warm the kidneys and strengthen the yang.
2. To dispel dampness and kill worms.

Indications:
1. Deficient yang of the kidneys manifested as impotence or infertility. Cnidium fruit (Shechuangzi) is used with Schisandra fruit (Wuweizi) and Dadder seed (Tusizi).

2. Vaginal trichomoniasis. The decoction of Cnidium fruit (Shechuangzi) is used as a douche.

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency of yin with excessive fire or damp-heat.