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

Jan 07, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
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.

Currently, Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi) has functions and effects including clearing heat and summer heat, promoting diuresis and removing dampness, broadening the middle jiao and invigorating qi, detoxifying and nourishing the skin, clearing the liver and improving vision. Its indications include edema, frequent and urgent urination, diarrhea, cough, and red, swollen, painful eyes. Drug use should be conducted under the guidance of a physician. A detailed analysis is as follows:

I. Functions and Effects

1. Clearing Heat and Summer Heat

Plantago Seed can clear heat toxins from the body and has a certain relieving effect on symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain caused by heat toxins. It is suitable for consumption during summer.

2. Promoting Diuresis and Removing Dampness

Plantago Seed has the effect of promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness. It can inhibit the secretion of sweat within the body, promote lymphatic drainage, thus stopping bleeding and sweating, and helping to relieve symptoms such as thirst, indigestion, phlegm-dampness, dizziness, and vertigo.

3. Broadening the Middle Jiao and Invigorating Qi

Plantago Seed can nourish qi and promote blood circulation, broaden the middle jiao and invigorate qi. It can nourish yin and moisten dryness, warm the stomach and soothe the liver, promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, improve blood circulation, and has a certain relieving effect on angina caused by myocardial ischemia.

4. Detoxifying and Beautifying the Skin

Plantago Seed can effectively inhibit bacterial growth, eliminate toxins from the body, and is also beneficial for skin care, improving skin complexion, and anti-aging. In addition, it can stimulate appetite and promote digestion.

5. Clearing the Liver and Improving Vision

Plantago Seed can clear the liver and improve vision. It has a certain therapeutic effect on symptoms such as red, swollen, painful eyes and dryness caused by upward disturbance of liver heat.

II. Functions and Indications

1. Edema

In clinical practice, Plantago Seed is commonly used to treat various types of edema. It has the effect of clearing heat and promoting diuresis for edema caused by urinary tract infections, chronic nephritis, and heart failure.

2. Frequent and Urgent Urination

Plantago Seed has the effect of promoting urination and relieving urinary discomfort. It can increase urine output and promote the excretion of urine, often used to treat symptoms such as frequent and urgent urination caused by urinary tract infections.

3. Diarrhea

Plantago Seed has the effect of promoting diuresis and stopping diarrhea. It can promote the elimination of dampness within the body, improve symptoms caused by damp-heat, and has a certain antidiarrheal effect on loose stools.

4. Cough

Plantago Seed has the effect of clearing heat and resolving phlegm. It can be used to treat cough caused by lung accumulation of phlegm-heat. It can also relax bronchial smooth muscles, reduce airway spasms, thereby relieving cough and asthma.

5. Red, Swollen, Painful Eyes

Plantago Seed can treat red, swollen, painful eyes caused by upward inflammation of liver fire. It is often used in combination with other Chinese herbs such as chrysanthemum and Scutellaria (Huang Qin) to enhance the therapeutic effect.

However, Plantago Seed is cold in nature and should not be consumed together with warming ingredients such as lamb, to avoid counteracting the medicinal effects or causing gastrointestinal discomfort.

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