Semen Plantaginis
Source
Seed of Plantago asiatica L. and other species of the same genus, family
Plantaginaceae
Characteristics
Seed fine and small, oblate with dark brown surface, fine wrinkles under
magnifier
and concave spotted hilum appearing on the flat side. Sweet in taste,
cold in nature, and attributive to lung, urinary bladder, small intestine,
kidney and liver channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat, promote diuresis and relieve stranguria: For stranguria
of heattype dr of urinary stone origin, edema and diarrhea of dampness-heat
or summer-heat and dampness type.
2. Clear away heat to improve visual acuity: For conjunctivitis of liverheat
origin; for dim eyesight due to liver-deficiency, used together with liver-nourishing
herbs, such as Radix Rehmanniae Praeparatae and Semen Cuscutae.
3. Eliminate sputum and relieve cough: For cough of lung-heat type.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Diuretic.
2.
Expectorant and antitussive.
Administration
Decoction:
3-15g (wrapped with cloth for boiling).
Note
Herba Plantaginis is similar to Semen Plantaginis in its indication but
more effective for clearing away heat, usually used for stranguria of
heat type, dysentery and jaundice of dampness-heat type. Recently used
individually for acute bacillary dysentery, acute infectious hepatitis
and acute tonsillitis. It is administrated as decoction with a daily dose
of 60-90g.