Lái Fú Zǐ (莱菔子), known in English as Radish seed (Raphanus sativus (seed)), is a neutral, acrid and sweet Chinese herb from the Relieve food stagnation category. It enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: reduces food stagnation, relieves distension.
| Pinyin | Lái Fú Zǐ (Lai Fu Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 莱菔子 |
| English | Radish seed |
| Botanical name | Raphanus sativus (seed) |
| Category | Relieve food stagnation |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Acrid, Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 5–12g |
| Cautions | Qi deficiency without stagnation; traditionally not combined with Ren Shen |
Actions
- Reduces food stagnation, relieves distension
- Directs qi downward, transforms Phlegm
Indications
- Food stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, constipation, or diarrhoea with stagnation
- Phlegm congestion with wheezing and cough
How to remember Lái Fú Zǐ
Relieve food stagnation herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Spleen channel: like most Relieve food stagnation herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “transforms Phlegm”
- Stomach channel: from its action “Reduces food stagnation”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Relieve food stagnation herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Relieve food stagnation herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Lái Fú Zǐ
Other Relieve food stagnation herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lái Fú Zǐ?
Lái Fú Zǐ is neutral and acrid and sweet.
Which channels does Lái Fú Zǐ enter?
Lái Fú Zǐ enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Lái Fú Zǐ?
Reduces food stagnation, relieves distension; Directs qi downward, transforms Phlegm.
What is Lái Fú Zǐ used for?
Food stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, constipation, or diarrhoea with stagnation; Phlegm congestion with wheezing and cough.
Which formulas contain Lái Fú Zǐ?
Bǎo Hé Wán.
Practise Lái Fú 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.