Tíng Lì Zǐ (葶苈子), known in English as Pepperwort seed (Lepidium apetalum (seed)), is a cold, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung and Bladder channels. Its main action: strongly drains Lung, stops wheezing — removes excess fluid from Lung.
| Pinyin | Tíng Lì Zǐ (Ting Li Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 葶苈子 |
| English | Pepperwort seed |
| Botanical name | Lepidium apetalum (seed) |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Lung, Bladder |
| Dosage | 3–9g (wrap when decocting) |
| Cautions | Lung deficiency; Spleen deficiency; use cautiously — draining herb |
Actions
- Strongly drains Lung, stops wheezing — removes excess fluid from Lung
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
Indications
- Lung excess: severe wheezing, fullness with phlegm-fluid retention
- Pleural effusion
- Facial oedema
How to remember Tíng Lì Zǐ
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Strongly drains Lung”
- Bladder channel: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Acrid: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tíng Lì Zǐ?
Tíng Lì Zǐ is cold and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Tíng Lì Zǐ enter?
Tíng Lì Zǐ enters the Lung and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Tíng Lì Zǐ?
Strongly drains Lung, stops wheezing — removes excess fluid from Lung; Promotes urination, reduces oedema.
What is Tíng Lì Zǐ used for?
Lung excess: severe wheezing, fullness with phlegm-fluid retention; pleural effusion; facial oedema.
Practise Tíng Lì 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.