Qiàn Shí (芡实), known in English as Gordon euryale seed (Euryale ferox (seed)), is a neutral, sweet and astringent Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Spleen and Kidney channels. Its main action: tonifies Spleen, astringes Damp, stops diarrhoea.
| Pinyin | Qiàn Shí (Qian Shi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 芡实 |
| English | Gordon euryale seed |
| Botanical name | Euryale ferox (seed) |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Astringent |
| Channels | Spleen, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Excess patterns; constipation |
Actions
- Tonifies Spleen, astringes Damp, stops diarrhoea
- Tonifies Kidney, secures Jing and essence
Indications
- Spleen deficiency chronic diarrhoea
- Kidney deficiency spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, urinary frequency
How to remember Qiàn Shí
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Astringent: like most Stabilise & bind herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Tonifies Spleen”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Lián Zǐ
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Ròu Dòu Kòu
- Hē Zǐ
- Chì Shí Zhī
- Chūn Pí
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Sāng Piāo Xiāo
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Qiàn Shí?
Qiàn Shí is neutral and sweet and astringent.
Which channels does Qiàn Shí enter?
Qiàn Shí enters the Spleen and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Qiàn Shí?
Tonifies Spleen, astringes Damp, stops diarrhoea; Tonifies Kidney, secures Jing and essence.
What is Qiàn Shí used for?
Spleen deficiency chronic diarrhoea; Kidney deficiency spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, urinary frequency.
Practise Qiàn Shí 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.