Chē Qián Zǐ (车前子) — Plantain seed / Asiatic plantain seed

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Chē Qián Zǐ (车前子) — Plantago asiatica (seed) — is known in English as Plantain seed / Asiatic plantain seed. It belongs to the category of Herbs that drain Dampness in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Chē Qián Zǐ as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Promotes urination and clears Damp-Heat — a primary herb for urinary disorders
2. Clears Liver Heat and brightens the eyes
3. Clears Lung Heat and resolves Phlegm
4. Stops diarrhoea by separating the clear from the turbid — stops Damp diarrhoea by diverting fluids to the urine

Indications

1. Urinary tract infections — urgency, burning, painful urination from Damp-Heat
2. Oedema and difficult urination
3. Eye disorders from Liver Heat — red, painful and swollen eyes
4. Damp diarrhoea and dysentery — a classical paradox: promotes urination to stop diarrhoea
5. Cough with copious phlegm from Lung Heat-Damp
6. Male infertility from Damp-Heat — improves sperm motility

4. Key formulas containing Chē Qián Zǐ

Chē Qián Zǐ appears in the following key formulas:

• Ba Zheng San

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Plantago asiatica (Che Qian Zi) is one of the most versatile and well-researched diuretic and anti-inflammatory herbs in TCM. Key bioactive constituents include aucubin, plantagoside, plantamajoside, polysaccharides and mucilage. Research confirms significant diuretic activity, anti-inflammatory effects via NF-kB inhibition, antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, and beneficial effects on sperm motility and male fertility. Aucubin has specific activity against hepatitis B virus and liver-protective effects. Clinical research confirms Che Qian Zi in combination with other herbs for UTIs is superior to antibiotics alone for preventing recurrence. Multiple studies have shown improvements in sperm motility parameters in oligoasthenospermia.

6. Incompatibilities

Chē Qián Zǐ (车前子) Plantain seed / Asiatic plantain seed is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

7. Cautions and contraindications

Use with caution in patients with Kidney Yang deficiency and frequent urination from deficiency — the diuretic action may aggravate. Wrap in cloth when decocting raw herbs to prevent the seeds dissolving into the decoction.

Pattern contraindications

Contraindicated in Yin and Blood deficiency — promoting urination depletes fluids further. Use cautiously in spermatorrhoea and excessive urination.

Modern drug interactions

Diuretic herbs have an additive effect with conventional diuretics and can deplete potassium with long-term use — review with your GP if you take loop or thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs or lithium.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Chē Qián Zǐ as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Urinary tract infections, Male infertility. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.