Tù Sī Zǐ (菟丝子), known in English as Dodder seed (Cuscuta chinensis (seed)), is a neutral, sweet and acrid Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Kidney, Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin (amphoteric).
| Pinyin | Tù Sī Zǐ (Tu Si Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 菟丝子 |
| English | Dodder seed |
| Botanical name | Cuscuta chinensis (seed) |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Acrid |
| Channels | Kidney, Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with excess Fire; constipation |
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin (amphoteric)
- Secures Jing, stops diarrhoea
- Nourishes Liver, brightens eyes
- Calms foetus
Indications
- Kidney deficiency (Yang or Yin): impotence, spermatorrhoea, urinary frequency
- Liver and Kidney deficiency eye problems
- Threatened miscarriage
How to remember Tù Sī Zǐ
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin”
- Liver channel: from its action “Nourishes Liver”
- Spleen channel: from its action “stops diarrhoea”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are warm or hot)
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Tù Sī Zǐ
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tù Sī Zǐ?
Tù Sī Zǐ is neutral and sweet and acrid.
Which channels does Tù Sī Zǐ enter?
Tù Sī Zǐ enters the Kidney, Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Tù Sī Zǐ?
Tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin (amphoteric); Secures Jing, stops diarrhoea; Nourishes Liver, brightens eyes; Calms foetus.
What is Tù Sī Zǐ used for?
Kidney deficiency (Yang or Yin): impotence, spermatorrhoea, urinary frequency; Liver and Kidney deficiency eye problems; threatened miscarriage.
Which formulas contain Tù Sī Zǐ?
Zuǒ Guī Wán, Yòu Guī Wán and Tù Sī Wán.
Practise Tù Sī 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.