Hēi Zhī Má (黑芝麻), known in English as Black sesame seed (Sesamum indicum (black seed)), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Liver, Kidney and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: tonifies Liver and Kidney, nourishes essence and Blood.
| Pinyin | Hēi Zhī Má (Hei Zhi Ma) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 黑芝麻 |
| English | Black sesame seed |
| Botanical name | Sesamum indicum (black seed) |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with loose stools |
Actions
- Tonifies Liver and Kidney, nourishes essence and Blood
- Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels
Indications
- Deficient essence and Blood with dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, early greying and hair loss after illness
- Constipation from intestinal dryness
How to remember Hēi Zhī Má
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Liver and Kidney channels: from its action “Tonifies Liver and Kidney”
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Moistens intestines”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are cool or cold)
Formulas containing Hēi Zhī Má
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Yù Zhú
- Shí Hú
- Hàn Lián Cǎo
- Guī Bǎn
- Biē Jiǎ
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Huáng Jīng
- Sāng Shèn
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Hēi Zhī Má?
Hēi Zhī Má is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Hēi Zhī Má enter?
Hēi Zhī Má enters the Liver, Kidney and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Hēi Zhī Má?
Tonifies Liver and Kidney, nourishes essence and Blood; Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels.
What is Hēi Zhī Má used for?
Deficient essence and Blood with dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, early greying and hair loss after illness; constipation from intestinal dryness.
Which formulas contain Hēi Zhī Má?
Xiāo Fēng Sǎn and Qīng Zào Jiù Fèi Tāng.
Practise Hēi Zhī Má 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.