What are the functions and indications of Plantago seeds?

Jan 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, the effects and main uses of Plantago seeds (Che Qian Zi) include relieving constipation, clearing the liver and improving vision, clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm, removing dampness and reducing swelling, and promoting diuresis to relieve urinary difficulties. Due to differences in individual conditions and tolerance levels, it is recommended to adjust the dosage appropriately according to specific situations under a doctor's guidance, avoiding self-medication which may cause adverse reactions.

Generally, the effects and main uses of Plantago seeds (Che Qian Zi) include relieving constipation, clearing liver heat to improve vision, clearing lung heat to resolve phlegm, eliminating dampness to reduce swelling, and promoting diuresis to relieve painful urination. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Relieving Constipation: Plantago seeds can increase intestinal moisture, soften stools, and thereby facilitate their expulsion, helping to alleviate constipation caused by insufficient intestinal fluids.

2. Clearing Liver Heat to Improve Vision: Plantago seeds act on the liver meridian and have the function of clearing liver heat. They can be used to treat red, swollen, and painful eyes, and help alleviate symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and excessive eye discharge caused by wind-heat in the liver meridian or upward inflammation of liver fire.

3. Clearing Lung Heat and Resolving Phlegm: Plantago seeds enter the lung meridian and can clear lung heat, resolve phlegm, and stop coughing. They are effective in treating cough with thick, yellow phlegm due to lung heat, by clearing heat from the lungs, resolving phlegm, and alleviating cough.

4. Eliminating Dampness and Reducing Swelling: Plantago seeds promote diuresis, helping the body expel excess water and alleviate swelling. They are particularly effective in treating edema caused by stagnation of dampness, especially swelling in the lower limbs.

5. Promoting Diuresis and Relieving Painful Urination: Plantago seeds are sweet, cold, and slippery, making them effective in promoting urinary flow and clearing heat accumulation in the bladder. They can be used to treat painful urination caused by heat, effectively relieving symptoms such as short, dark urine and painful, difficult urination.

As different conditions and individual tolerances vary, it is recommended to use Plantago seeds according to specific circumstances and under the guidance of a physician, adjusting the dosage appropriately to avoid adverse reactions from self-medication.

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What are the uses of Plantago asiatica seeds?

Under normal circumstances, plantain seed (cheqianzi) has various functions and effects such as promoting diuresis and relieving stranguria, clearing away heat and summerheat, clearing the liver and improving vision, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and promoting dampness drainage to stop diarrhea. However, specific groups including pregnant women, individuals with cold-deficiency constitution, and those experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal distension should use plantain seed cautiously. Additionally, due to its cold nature, plantain seed should not be consumed together with warm-natured foods such as lamb.

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What are the effects of Plantago asiatica seeds?

Plantago seeds are the dried mature seeds of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa of the Plantaginaceae family. Their effects may include promoting urination to relieve dysuria, clearing heat to relieve summerheat, clearing liver heat to improve vision, resolving phlegm to relieve cough, and removing dampness to stop diarrhea. Plantago seeds are cold in nature and can clear heat toxins from the body. However, due to their cold nature, they should not be consumed together with warm or hot-natured foods or herbs, to avoid counteracting the medicinal effects or causing gastrointestinal discomfort.

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What are the functions and benefits of Plantago seeds?

Under normal circumstances, plantain seed is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the dried mature seeds of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa of the Plantaginaceae family. It has various functions and effects, primarily including promoting diuresis and relieving stranguria, clearing heat and detoxifying, improving vision and removing eye opacity, alleviating diarrhea and dysentery, and resolving phlegm and relieving cough. However, it should be noted that plantain seed is cold in nature and should be used cautiously in individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold to avoid exacerbating the condition.

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The Efficacy and Functions of Plantain Seed (Plantago asiatica L.) and Its Clinical Applications

Currently, the effects and functions of Plantago seeds include clearing heat and summerheat, promoting diuresis and resolving dampness, broadening the middle jiao and invigorating qi, detoxifying and improving complexion, clearing the liver and improving vision. Its functions and main indications include edema, frequent and urgent urination, diarrhea, cough, redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, etc. Drug use should be conducted under the guidance of a physician. Plantago seeds can alleviate symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain caused by heat-toxin.