Spinaciae Fructus
Aliases：Cì Jí Lí (Thorny Tribulus, from Diannan Bencao), Cì Léng Cài Zǐ (Thorny Spinach Seed).
Bō Cài Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried ripe fruit of Spinacia oleracea L., a plant belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae. Unlike the commonly consumed spinach leaves, spinach seeds are used medicinally, possessing unique therapeutic value. The fruit is ovoid or oblate in shape, 1.8–5.6 mm in length and 1.5–3.6 mm in width. The surface is greyish-green to greyish-brown, with one end slightly pointed or bearing 1–4 spines, 0.7–5 mm in length, with an angle of 30°–180° between the spines. It is hard in texture. The seed coat is reddish-brown to棕褐色 (brownish-brown) and is not easily peeled off. The seed is ovoid or subrounded, with the hilum located at the narrow end, slightly protruding, with concave longitudinal grooves on both sides, and two cotyledons. Bō Cài Zǐ was first recorded in the Ming Dynasty work Diannan Bencao (Materia Medica of Yunnan).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears the Liver and improves vision; relieves cough and calms wheezing. In addition, it is also recorded as having the effects of dispelling wind, improving vision, opening the orifices, and benefiting the intestines and stomach.
Indications
Indicated for wind-fire red and swollen eyes, and cough with wheezing. It may also be used for eye pain, wind-fire red eyes, dyspnea, hepatitis, and jaundice.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effects: The water extract of spinach seeds at various doses significantly inhibits xylene-induced ear edema in mice, with effects comparable to the positive control group; it also inhibits cotton pellet granuloma formation in rats, with effects comparable to the dexamethasone positive control group. Hepatoprotective effects: Spinach seeds contain active components such as polypodine B, ecdysterone, and spinasterol, which exhibit hepatoprotective pharmacological effects. Relief of smooth muscle spasms: Exhibits certain effects in relieving smooth muscle spasms. Safety evaluation: Animal studies have shown that the water extract of spinach seeds does not produce toxic effects at a maximum tolerated dose of 20,000 mg/kg body weight in mice, indicating good safety.
Ingredients
Phytosterols: α-Spinasterol, stigmastenol, stigmastanol. Ecdysteroids: 20-Hydroxyecdysone. Others: Polypodine B. Sugars: Sucrose, raffinose, stachyose.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g; or grind into powder and take with water. For external use: apply an appropriate amount.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with diarrhea—the natural oils contained in spinach seeds may lubricate the intestines; excessive consumption by patients with diarrhea may aggravate symptoms. Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach weakness—spinach seeds may accelerate gastrointestinal motility; excessive consumption by those with Spleen-Stomach weakness may lead to digestive system impairment, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. Use with caution in children.
Selected Formulas
For wind‑fire red and swollen eyes (empirical formula) Take 9–15g of spinach seeds, decoct in water and drink. For cough and wheezing (empirical formula) Take spinach seeds, grind into powder. Take 3–5g each time with warm water.
Medicinal Parts
The dried ripe fruit of Spinacia oleracea L., a plant belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
