Shā Yuàn Zǐ (沙苑子), known in English as Flattened milkvetch seed (Astragalus complanatus (seed)), is a warm, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: tonifies Kidney Yang, secures essence, reduces urination.
| Pinyin | Shā Yuàn Zǐ (Sha Yuan Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 沙苑子 |
| English | Flattened milkvetch seed |
| Botanical name | Astragalus complanatus (seed) |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; difficult urination |
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang, secures essence, reduces urination
- Nourishes Liver, brightens eyes
Indications
- Low back pain from Kidney deficiency
- Spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation
- Enuresis and frequent urination
- Turbid urine and vaginal discharge
- Dizziness and blurred vision
How to remember Shā Yuàn Zǐ
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Sweet: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Nourishes Liver”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney Yang”
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Shā Yuàn Zǐ?
Shā Yuàn Zǐ is warm and sweet.
Which channels does Shā Yuàn Zǐ enter?
Shā Yuàn Zǐ enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Shā Yuàn Zǐ?
Tonifies Kidney Yang, secures essence, reduces urination; Nourishes Liver, brightens eyes.
What is Shā Yuàn Zǐ used for?
Low back pain from Kidney deficiency; spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation; enuresis and frequent urination; turbid urine and vaginal discharge; dizziness and blurred vision.
Practise Shā Yuàn 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.