Name: Cnidium Seeds
Latin Name: Cnidium Monnieri
Pin Yin: She Chuang Zi
Location: China

Overview: Cnidium seeds are derived from the cnidium plant, which grows throughout China. A typical cnidium is round, dark yellow in color, and has a pleasant aroma. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, cnidium seeds are characterized as acrid, bitter and warm.

Cnidium seeds are most commonly used to treat itchy skin, rashes, eczema and ringworm, typically in the genital area. These conditions are treated by grinding cnidium seeds with water into a solution and applying to the skin. Cnidium seeds are also taken internally to treat vaginal discharges and/or increase sexual potency. Cnidium is often combined with herbs such as cuscuta and schisandra to treat infertility and impotence; in many classical traditional Chinese medicine texts, cnidium is used as a form of aphrodisiac.

History: She Chuang Zi has been used for thousands of years in China for a variety of skin ailments from acne to eczema and ringworm. It is commonly found in lotions, creams and ointments. It is also used as a reproductive aid. Osthole is a coumarin which as been isolated from Cnidium monnieri. Although this has not yet been tested on humans, it apparently helps aid in male sexual dysfunction. Ostohole has also shown some promise as an agent for allergy diseases.

Primary Uses:

• Increase sperm secretion, stimulate sexual desire and has aphrodisiac action
• Dry dampness and kills worms
• Expel cold and expel the wind
• Warm the kidney to strengthen yin
• Relieve asthma
• Antifungus, antivirus

Parts Used: The plant and seed are both antipruritic, aphrodisiac, antirheumatic, antifungal, astringent, carminative, sedative, vermifuge and vulnerary.

Safety: American Herbal Products Association has given cnidium a class I rating, meaning that it is safe when taken in appropriate levels. However, cnidium seeds should not be used for hot or sore skin that is excessively dry. They should not also be taken at the same time patients are taking peony root, croton seed or fritillaria.

Supporting Research: Cnidium has been very commonly used in formulations designed to warm the Kidneys and strengthen Yang energy. It is primarily used for the purpose of overcoming sexual malaise and strengthening sexual potency.¹

¹Michael Derrida, “What is standard Common cnidium fruit extract”, www.tcmgap.com, Nov. 2000.