Astragali Complanati Semen
Aliases：Bái Jí Lí (White Tribulus); Shā Yuàn Jí Lí (Shayuan Tribulus); Shā Yuàn Jí Lí Zǐ (Shayuan Tribulus Seed); Tóng Jí Lí (Tongguan Tribulus); Shā Jí Lí (Sand Tribulus); Xià Huáng Cǎo (Summer Yellow Herb).
Shā Yuàn Zǐ (Flatstem Milkvetch Seed) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried ripe seed of Astragalus complanatus R.Br., a plant of the Fabaceae family. The seed is kidney-shaped and slightly flattened, with a smooth, brownish-green or grayish-brown surface. It is hard in texture, with a faint odor and a bland taste, and has a bean-like odor when chewed. Shā Yuàn Zǐ was first recorded in the Ben Cao Tu Jing (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica) under the original name “Tongzhou Bai Jili” (White Tribulus from Tongzhou), and was later named after the Shayan region in Shaanxi Province where it is produced.
Efficacy & Actions
Warms and tonifies the liver and kidneys; secures essence; reduces urination; and improves eyesight.
Indications
Used for kidney deficiency with lumbago, spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation, turbid leukorrhea, residual urine (post-void dribbling), dizziness, and blurred vision. It is also used for enuresis, frequent urination, neurasthenia, and diabetes, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effects: The total flavonoids and flavonoid components of Sha Yuan Zi (Flatstem Milkvetch Seed) exhibit good anti-inflammatory activity. Hepatoprotective and lipid-regulating effects: Sha Yuan Zi glycoside (complanatoside) exhibits hepatoprotective, lipid-regulating, and antioxidant pharmacological effects. Antioxidant effects: Sha Yuan Zi possesses antioxidant activity. Antitumor effects: Sha Yuan Zi exhibits antitumor activity. Immunomodulatory effects: It enhances both non-specific and specific immune functions. Anti-platelet aggregation effects: It inhibits ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Anti-fatigue and anti-aging effects: It exhibits anti-fatigue and anti-aging effects. Lipid-lowering effects: It reduces serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. Anti-hepatic fibrosis effects: It exhibits anti-hepatic fibrosis effects. Anti-radiation effects: It exhibits anti-radiation effects.
Ingredients
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 9–15g. May also be prepared in pills or powder.
Usage & Dosage
Decoction, the standard dosage is 9–15g. May also be prepared in pills or powder.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and fire excess. Contraindicated in patients with exuberant ministerial fire (hyperactive fire from the kidney and liver) and strong, persistent erections. Contraindicated in patients with difficult urination. Use with caution during pregnancy. Not suitable for patients with colds or fever. Not suitable for long-term, high-dose use in patients with hypotension. Not suitable for long-term, high-dose use in patients with bleeding disorders or bleeding tendencies. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to this herb; use with caution in those with a history of allergies. During the course of use, avoid spicy, raw, cold, greasy, and fishy or gamey foods.
Selected Formulas
For involuntary seminal emission (Yifang Jijie, Jinsuo Gujing Wan) Take 100g each of Shayuanjili (Astragalus complanatus seed, stir-fried), Qianshi (Euryale seed, steamed), and Lianxu (Lotus stamen); and 50g each of Longgu (Dragon bone, fried with butter) and Muli (Oyster shell, calcined). Grind together into powder, mix with lotus seed powder paste to form pills, and take with salt water. For kidney-deficiency low back pain (Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g of Shayuanzi. Decoct in water and drink twice daily. For blurred vision (Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9g of Shayuanzi, 6g of Chongweizi (Leonurus seed), and 9g of Qingxiangzi (Celosia seed). Grind into fine powder. Take 3g each time, twice daily. For frequent urination and enuresis in the elderly (empirical formula) Take 10g each of Shayuanzi, Fupenzi (Rubus fruit), Jinyingzi (Rosa fruit), and Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis egg-case). Decoct in water and drink. For spleen-stomach weakness with poor digestion (Bencao Huiyan) Take 100g of Shayuanjili (stir-fried with wine) and 240g of Cangzhu (Atractylodes, soaked in rice water and stir-fried). Grind together into powder. Take 9g each time, mixed with rice water.
Daily Consumption
Sha Yuan Zi Tea: Crush Sha Yuan Zi (Flatstem Milkvetch Seed) and place it together with green tea in a cup at a ratio of 4:1. Steep in boiling water for 15 minutes before drinking. It helps tonify the liver and kidneys, astringe essence, and stop enuresis. Sha Yuan Zi Congee: Grind Sha Yuan Zi into a fine powder. When cooking polished rice congee, add the powder when the rice is almost done, stirring continuously until the congee is fully cooked and thickened. Add rock sugar to taste.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe seed.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Store in a dry, airtight container in a well-ventilated, dry place.
