Shé Chuáng Zǐ (蛇床子), known in English as Cnidium fruit (Cnidium monnieri (fruit)), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Topical use category. It enters the Kidney channel. Its main action: dries Damp, dispels Wind, kills parasites, stops itching (topical).
| Pinyin | Shé Chuáng Zǐ (She Chuang Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 蛇床子 |
| English | Cnidium fruit |
| Botanical name | Cnidium monnieri (fruit) |
| Category | Topical use |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–10g (15–30g as an external wash) |
| Cautions | Slightly toxic; Damp-Heat in Lower Jiao; Kidney Yin deficiency with Fire |
Actions
- Dries Damp, dispels Wind, kills parasites, stops itching (topical)
- Warms Kidney, strengthens Yang (internal)
Indications
- Vaginal itching and discharge
- Eczema and itchy skin
- Damp Bi with low back pain
- Impotence and infertility from Kidney Yang deficiency with a cold uterus
How to remember Shé Chuáng Zǐ
Only 1 herb in Topical use, so learn each one on its own.
- You can work these out
- Kidney channel: from its action “Warms Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Warm
- Acrid
- Bitter
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Shé Chuáng Zǐ?
Shé Chuáng Zǐ is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Shé Chuáng Zǐ enter?
Shé Chuáng Zǐ enters the Kidney channel.
What are the actions of Shé Chuáng Zǐ?
Dries Damp, dispels Wind, kills parasites, stops itching (topical); Warms Kidney, strengthens Yang (internal).
What is Shé Chuáng Zǐ used for?
Vaginal itching and discharge; eczema and itchy skin; Damp Bi with low back pain; impotence and infertility from Kidney Yang deficiency with a cold uterus.
Practise Shé Chuáng 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.