Jué Míng Zǐ (决明子) — Cassia seed / Sicklepod

On this page

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

1. Overview

Jué Míng Zǐ (决明子) — Cassia obtusifolia / tora — is known in English as Cassia seed / Sicklepod. It belongs to the category of Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Jué Míng 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. Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes — the most important herb for eye disorders from Liver Heat
2. Lowers blood pressure — one of the most commonly used single herbs for hypertension
3. Moistens the Intestines and relieves constipation
4. Lowers blood lipids

Indications

1. Eye disorders from Liver Heat — red, painful and dry eyes
2. High blood pressure from Liver Fire and Liver Yang rising
3. Constipation from Intestinal dryness and Liver Heat
4. High cholesterol and elevated triglycerides
5. Headache from Liver Yang rising

4. Key formulas containing Jué Míng Zǐ

Jué Míng Zǐ is frequently used as a single-herb treatment or incorporated into individualised prescriptions tailored to the patient's specific TCM pattern.

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Cassia obtusifolia (Jue Ming Zi) is one of the most commonly used single-herb treatments in Chinese medicine and has extensive pharmacological research. Key bioactive constituents include anthraquinones (emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, obtusin), naphthopyrone glycosides and flavonoids. Research confirms significant antihypertensive effects, lipid-lowering activity (reducing LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL), laxative effects via anthraquinone-induced motility stimulation, anti-inflammatory properties, hepatoprotective effects and antimicrobial activity. Multiple clinical trials have confirmed its effectiveness for hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Cassia seed tea is one of the most widely consumed medicinal teas in China.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid in loose stools and diarrhoea — the laxative anthraquinones will aggravate these. Avoid long-term high-dose use as chronic anthraquinone intake can cause melanosis coli. Avoid in hypotension.

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 or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Jué Míng Zǐ as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including High blood pressure, Fatty liver. 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.