Dōng Kuí Zǐ (冬葵子), known in English as Mallow seed (Malva verticillata (seed)), is a cool, sweet and astringent Chinese herb from the Drain damp category. It enters the Large Intestine, Small Intestine and Bladder channels. Its main action: promotes urination, relieves painful urinary dysfunction.
| Pinyin | Dōng Kuí Zǐ (Dong Kui Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 冬葵子 |
| English | Mallow seed |
| Botanical name | Malva verticillata (seed) |
| Category | Drain damp |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet, Astringent |
| Channels | Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Pregnancy (use with caution); Spleen deficiency with loose stools |
Actions
- Promotes urination, relieves painful urinary dysfunction
- Promotes lactation
- Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels
Indications
- Painful urinary dysfunction and oedema
- Insufficient lactation with swollen, painful breasts
- Constipation
How to remember Dōng Kuí Zǐ
Drain damp herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Bladder channel.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Sweet: like most Drain damp herbs
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Moistens intestines”
- Small Intestine and Bladder channels: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Astringent: unusual for Drain damp herbs (most are sweet)
Other Drain damp herbs
- Fú Líng
- Yì Yǐ Rén
- Zé Xiè
- Mù Tōng
- Huá Shí
- Chē Qián Zǐ
- Qú Mài
- Bì Xiè
- Yīn Chén Hāo
- Jīn Qián Cǎo
- Hǎi Jīn Shā
- Zhū Líng
- Dēng Xīn Cǎo
- Tōng Cǎo
- Biǎn Xù
- Shí Wéi
- Dì Fū Zǐ
- Dōng Guā Zǐ
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Dōng Kuí Zǐ?
Dōng Kuí Zǐ is cool and sweet and astringent.
Which channels does Dōng Kuí Zǐ enter?
Dōng Kuí Zǐ enters the Large Intestine, Small Intestine and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Dōng Kuí Zǐ?
Promotes urination, relieves painful urinary dysfunction; Promotes lactation; Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels.
What is Dōng Kuí Zǐ used for?
Painful urinary dysfunction and oedema; insufficient lactation with swollen, painful breasts; constipation.
Practise Dōng Kuí Zǐ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.