Chinese Chive / Garlic Chive (leaf); Leek Seed (seed)
Aliases：Qi Yang Cao (Yang‑Raising Herb), Lan Ren Cai (Lazy Man‘s Vegetable), Chang Sheng Jiu (Long‑Life Chive), Zhuang Yang Cao (Yang‑Tonifying Herb)
Chinese chive (Jiucai), a Chinese medicinal, is the leaf of Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng., a plant of the Liliaceae family (genus Allium). It is a medicinal and edible plant (homology of medicine and food).
Efficacy & Actions
Tonify the kidney and assist yang, warm the middle and stimulate appetite, move qi and activate blood, disperse stasis and resolve toxin.
Indications
Kidney deficiency with impotence, spermatorrhea, soreness and coldness of the lower back and knees; stomach cold with abdominal pain, poor appetite, vomiting, and regurgitation; chest impediment with heart pain, traumatic injury, and carbuncle‑sores with toxic swelling.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial: Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and other bacteria. Digestive aid: Promotes gastric juice secretion and increases appetite. Hypolipidemic: Lowers serum cholesterol levels. Antioxidant: Scavenges free radicals. Immunomodulatory (enhances immune function): Chinese chive seed polysaccharides improve immune capacity. Anti‑fatigue: Chive extract prolongs exercise endurance. Hepatoprotective: Protects against chemical‑induced liver injury.
Ingredients
Sulfur-containing compounds: Allicin, alliin, thiosulfinates, etc., with antibacterial and digestive‑promoting effects. Saponins: Chive saponins, etc. Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol, etc. Volatile oils: Various terpenoids. Others: Dietary fiber, vitamin C, carotene, potassium, calcium, iron, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Contraindicated populations: Avoid in cases of yin deficiency with blazing fire, intense stomach heat, oral sores, and swollen and painful gums. Use with caution during pregnancy. Those with excess heat patterns or eye diseases should not consume in large amounts. Precautions for use: Chinese chive is warm in nature; excessive consumption may easily generate heat and stir up fire. It should not be taken together with honey (as recorded in ancient texts: “Eating chives with honey causes heart pain”). It should also not be consumed together with spinach, beef, or white liquor (folk experience). Adverse reactions: Excessive intake may cause heartburn (pyrosis), abdominal distension, and diarrhea.
Contraindications
1. Meng Shen: “Within ten days after a febrile illness, one should not eat cooked (hot) chives; doing so will cause fatigue and lethargy.” 2. Ben Cao Jing Shu: “Those with stomach qi deficiency but with heat should not take it.” 3. Ben Cao Hui Yan: “If eaten by those with sores or toxins, it will increase pain and itching; if eaten by those with boils, it will aggravate the condition.” 4. Ben Cao Qiu Zhen: “It is most contraindicated for those with exuberant fire and yin deficiency.” 5. Suixiju Yinshi Pu: “It is contraindicated in malaria, skin sores, and during the recovery period after eruptive diseases (sha, pox).”
Selected Formulas
Meng Shen:** Within ten days after a febrile illness, one should not eat hot‑prepared chives, as it may cause lethargy and weakness. Ben Cao Jing Shu:** Those with stomach qi deficiency complicated by internal heat should avoid taking chives. Ben Cao Hui Yan:** Consuming chives during sores and toxic swellings may aggravate pain and itching; eating them when furuncles are present may worsen the condition. Ben Cao Qiu Zhen:** Chives are most contraindicated in cases of exuberant fire with yin deficiency. Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu:** Chives should be avoided during malaria, in patients with sores, and after recovery from exanthematous diseases (e.g., miliaria, chickenpox).
Daily Consumption
1. Scrambled Eggs with Chinese Chive Ingredients: 150 g fresh Chinese chive, 2 eggs. Preparation: Stir‑fry together and eat. Action: Warms the middle and descends qi, tonifies the kidney and assists yang. 2. Chinese Chive Seed Congee Ingredients: 5 g Chinese chive seed (ground into powder), 50 g japonica rice. Preparation: Cook the rice into congee, then stir in the chive seed powder. Indication: Kidney deficiency with impotence, spermatorrhea, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees. 3. Chinese Chive and Ginger Juice Ingredients: 50 g fresh Chinese chive, 10 g fresh ginger. Preparation: Crush together and extract the juice, take warm. Indication: Vomiting and regurgitation due to stomach cold. 4. Chinese Chive Seed and Pork Kidney Soup Ingredients: 10 g Chinese chive seed, 1 pair of pork kidneys. Preparation: Cook together in water to make a soup. Indication: Kidney deficiency low back pain, spermatorrhea.
Medicinal Parts
Whole herb (Jiucai – Chinese chive); seed (Jiucaizi – Chinese chive seed).
Selection & Storage
Fresh Chinese chive (Jiucai): Store in a cool place, or refrigerate (0–4°C). Consume as soon as possible; avoid long‑term storage. Chinese chive seed (Jiucaizi): Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.