Arctii Fructus
Aliases：È Shí (Fierce Fruit); Shǔ Zhān Zǐ (Mouse Glue Seed); Shǔ Zhān Zǐ (Millet Glue Seed); Dà Lì Zǐ (Great Power Seed); Máo Rán Rán Zǐ (Hairy Soft Seed); Hēi Fēng Zǐ (Black Wind Seed); Máo Zhuī Zǐ (Hairy Awl Seed); Zhān Cāng Zǐ (Sticky Cocklebur Seed); Dà Niú Zǐ (Big Ox Seed); Niú Zǐ (Ox Seed); Tǔ Dà Tóng Zǐ (Earth Big Paulownia Seed); Wàn Bǎ Gōu (Ten Thousand Hooks); Shǔ Jiān Zǐ (Mouse Sharp Seed).
Niú Bàng Zǐ (Great Burdock Fruit) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried ripe fruit of Arctium lappa L., a plant of the Asteraceae family. The fruit is long obovate in shape, slightly flattened, and somewhat curved, measuring 5–7 mm in length and 2–3 mm in width. Its surface is grayish-brown with purplish-black spots and several longitudinal ridges. The pericarp is relatively hard, and the fruit contains two cotyledons that are pale yellowish-white and oily in texture. It has a faint odor and a taste that is initially bitter, followed by a slight pungency and a mild numbing sensation on the tongue.
Efficacy & Actions
Disperses wind-heat, vents the lung and promotes eruption of rashes, detoxifies and relieves sore throat.
Indications
Used for wind-heat colds, cough with profuse phlegm, measles, urticaria (hives), sore throat, mumps, erysipelas, and carbuncles with sores and toxic swellings.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial: The decoction shows significant effects against pneumococci; the water extract inhibits various dermatophytes. Anti-inflammatory and antiviral: Arctiin and its metabolites inhibit inflammatory responses and viral replication. Antitumor: Lignans such as arctiin possess antitumor activity. Hypoglycemic: Has blood glucose-lowering effects. Diuretic: Has antipyretic and diuretic effects. Anti-renal damage: Inhibits urinary protein excretion and improves serum biochemical parameters. Immunomodulatory: Regulates immune function. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective: Exhibits antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities.
Ingredients
Lignans: Arctiin (main active component; quality marker per Chinese Pharmacopoeia, content not less than 5.0%), arctigenin, neoarctiin, matairesinoside, etc. Fatty acids: Arachidic acid, stearic acid, etc. Volatile oils: (S)-pulegone, etc. Other constituents: Fatty oils, lapachol, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, alkaloids, and arctinols A–F and H, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 6–12g; or prepared in pills or powder. It should be crushed before use. The common clinical dosage is 5–10g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for gargling, or for fumigation and washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with qi deficiency and loose stools: As this herb is cold in nature and promotes bowel movements, it may worsen symptoms in patients with qi deficiency and loose stools. Contraindicated in patients with carbuncles and sores that have already ruptured. Use with caution in patients with gastric ulcers or gastric bleeding: Niú Bàng Zǐ (Great Burdock Fruit) contains a relatively high amount of dietary fiber; patients with severe gastric ulcers or gastric bleeding should use it with caution. Allergic reactions have been observed occasionally: Symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, throat obstruction or tightness, headache, vomiting, skin rashes, and itching may occur in rare cases.
Selected Formulas
For wind-heat common cold or early-stage warm disease with fever and sore throat (Wenbing Tiaobian, Yinqiao San) Take Niubangzi (Arctium fruit) with Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle flower), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), and Jiegeng (Platycodon). Decoct in water and drink. For eczema and itching due to wind-dampness invading the blood vessels (Waike Zhengzong, Xiaofeng San) Take Niubangzi with Jingjie, Chantui (Cicada slough), and Cangzhu (Atractylodes). Decoct in water and drink. For measles with poor eruption or regression (Xianxingzhai Yixue Guangbiji, Zhuye Liubang Tang) Take Niubangzi with Bohe (Mint), Chengliu (Tamarix), and Zhuye (Bamboo leaf). Decoct in water and drink. For epidemic toxemia with rashes, mumps, and throat obstruction (Dongyuan Shixiao Fang, Puji Xiaodu Yin) Take Niubangzi with Xuanshen (Scrophularia), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Huanglian (Coptis), and Banlangen (Isatis root). Decoct in water and drink. For acute mastitis with swelling and pain before suppuration (Waike Zhengzong, Niubangzi Tang) Take Niubangzi with Jinyinhua, Lianqiao, Zhizi (Gardenia), and Gualou (Trichosanthes fruit). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Niú Bàng Zǐ Tea: Take 5–10g of stir-fried Niú Bàng Zǐ (Great Burdock Fruit), crush it, and steep in boiling water. Cover and let it infuse for 10–15 minutes before drinking. It can be re-steeped until the flavor fades. It helps disperse wind-heat and relieve sore throat.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.
