Jue Ming Zi (Cao Jue Ming) - Foetid Cassia Seeds
TCM Materia Medica
Jue Ming Zi (Cao Jue Ming) TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "jue ming zi (cao jue ming)" which in english is 
"foetid cassia seeds", is categorized within the "herbs that drain fire" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the kidney, large intestine and liver channels and exhibits bitter (ku), cool and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 9-15g
- Up to 30g when used alone
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Clears the vision and expels wind-heat - itchy, red and painful eyes, sensitivity to light due to wind-heat (stronger action in clearing liver-heat/fire than Qing Xiang Zi and
- Mi Meng Hua; also nourishes kidney yin and liver yin).
- Moistens intestines and unblocks the bowels - dry, chronic constipation especially due to liver yin deficiency.
- Lowers blood pressure and serum cholesterol.
Jue Ming Zi (Cao Jue Ming) has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Do not use with Huo Ma Ren.
- Not recommended for patients with diarrhea.
- Avoid in patients with hypotension (low blood pressure).
Our clinical staff have made the following notes, regarding jue ming zi (cao jue ming):
- Compare with Qing Xiang Zi, Mi Meng Hua, Xiao Ku Cao, Man Jing Zi, Shi Jue Ming - they all reduce liver fire, expel wind-heat from the head especially from the eyes, and descend liver yang.
A single herb is not often thought of as an empirical way to influence a TCM diagnostic pattern. Jue Ming Zi (Cao Jue Ming), however, is a strong candidate to be considered when needing to influence liver yin deficiency.
Jue Ming Zi (Cao Jue Ming) may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: constipation and/or vision problems
As noted above, jue ming zi (cao jue ming) is within the herbs that drain fire functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... very cold - for high fever, irritability, thirst, delirium associated with febrile disease. qi level or yang ming level disorders. )".
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