Man Jing Zi (蔓荆子) — Vitex Fruit
Man Jing Zi is a light, ascending Chinese herb that clears Wind-Heat from the head, brightens the eyes and relieves lateral and frontal headache. Its unique upward-lifting action makes it a favourite for eye and head disorders driven by Wind or Damp.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Man Jing Zi (蔓荆子) — Vitex Fruit (Vitex trifolia (fruit)) — is a Chinese herb in the Release the Exterior (Wind-Heat) category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Man Jing Zi |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 蔓荆子 |
| Latin name | Vitex trifolia (fruit) |
| English name | Vitex Fruit |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Bitter, acrid |
| Channels entered | Bladder, Liver, Stomach |
| Category | Release the Exterior (Wind-Heat) |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Disperses Wind-Heat
- Clears the head and brightens the eyes
- Alleviates lateral headache
Indications
- Lateral (Shao Yang) headache and migraines
- Red, itchy, watery eyes from Wind-Heat
- Frontal headache with heavy sensation
- Toothache with Wind
- Numbness of the limbs (Blood deficiency with Wind — with tonics)
4. Dosage
6–12g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Contraindicated in Blood or Yin deficient headaches
- Not for interior deficiency-type dizziness
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Man Jing Zi where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
