Màn Jīng Zǐ (蔓荆子), known in English as Vitex fruit (Vitex trifolia), is a cool, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Heat) category. It enters the Bladder, Liver and Stomach channels. Its main action: disperses Wind-Heat, clears head and eyes.
| Pinyin | Màn Jīng Zǐ (Man Jing Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 蔓荆子 |
| English | Vitex fruit |
| Botanical name | Vitex trifolia |
| Category | Release exterior (Heat) |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Bladder, Liver, Stomach |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Stomach deficiency; Blood deficiency headache |
Actions
- Disperses Wind-Heat, clears head and eyes
- Relieves Wind-Heat headache — especially vertex and temporal
Indications
- Wind-Heat headache with dizziness
- Eye pain and tearing from Wind-Heat
- Ear pain
How to remember Màn Jīng Zǐ
Release exterior (Heat) herbs are mostly cool or cold, acrid and sweet, and most enter the Lung and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Acrid: like most Release exterior (Heat) herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “clears head and eyes”
- Learn by heart
- Bitter: unusual for Release exterior (Heat) herbs (most are acrid or sweet)
- Bladder and Stomach channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Release exterior (Heat) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Màn Jīng Zǐ?
Màn Jīng Zǐ is cool and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Màn Jīng Zǐ enter?
Màn Jīng Zǐ enters the Bladder, Liver and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Màn Jīng Zǐ?
Disperses Wind-Heat, clears head and eyes; Relieves Wind-Heat headache — especially vertex and temporal.
What is Màn Jīng Zǐ used for?
Wind-Heat headache with dizziness; eye pain and tearing from Wind-Heat; ear pain.
Practise Màn Jīng 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.