Tu Si Zi菟丝子

Semen CuscutaeChinese Dodder Seeds

Also known asCuscuta

Category: Herbs that tonify Yang
Nature: neutral
Taste: pungent, sweet
Channels entered: Kidney, Liver
Dosage: 6–18 g

Usual doses

Dosage: 6–18 g
Tincture: 2–5 ml

Actions & indications

Strengthens Yang, nourishes Yin, astringes Jing and urine and benefits the marrow: Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, tinnitus, urinary frequency, sore painful back and vaginal discharge
Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver and improves vision: Deficient Liver and Kidney Yin, Yang and Jing with dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision or spots before the eyes
Benefits the Kidneys and Spleen and stops (astringes) diarrhea: Diarrhea, loose stools and anorexia from Spleen and Kidney Deficiency
Calms the fetus: Habitual or threatened miscarriage

Contraindications

Not to be used in Deficient Yin with Heat signs.
Not to be used in cases of constipation.
Not to be used with scanty, dark urine.
Not to be used in cases of persistent erection.

Combinations

- Bu Gu Zhi
- Du Zhong
Kidney Deficiency presenting with spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, and low back pain.
Kidney Yang Deficiency presenting with spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, and low back pain.
Kidney Yin Deficiency presenting with spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, and low back pain.
Deficient Kidney Qi with exhaustion, aversion to Cold, and frequent dribbling urination.
- Che Qian Zi
- Shu Di Huang
Blurred vision and floaters from Kidney and Liver Deficiency.
Blurred vision and floaters caused by Kidney and Liver Deficiency.
- Sha Yuan Zi
Blurred vision, dizziness, and tinnitus.
Deficient Spleen and Kidneys with anorexia and loose, watery stools or diarrhea.
Threatened miscarriage or a restless fetus due to Kidney Deficiency.
- Ju Hua
Unclear vision.
- Du Zhong
Enriching and tonifying the Kidneys and Liver, astringing Jing, nourishing Kidney Yin, brightening the eyes, and encouraging the movement of Primal Yang, for spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, and low back pain from Kidney Deficiency.
- Gou Ji
Kidney disorders with Wind-Damp Bi presenting as low back and knee pain.
Spermatorrhea with frequent dreaming.
Uterine bleeding, restless fetus, and back pain with a sensation of prolapse.
- Bai Ji Li
- Yin Yang Huo
- Gou Qi Zi
- Ba Ji Tian
Impotence.
- Fu Ling
- Lian Zi
Heart Qi Deficiency from excessive worry, with dribbling urination, turbid urine, and enuresis; urinary incontinence, frequent urinary urgency, and terminal dripping of turbid urine.
Blurred vision.
- Bu Gu Zhi
- Huang Qi
- Bai Zhu
Diarrhea.

Notes

Sm. Cuscutae Tu Si Zi (acting on Kidney Yang) and Fr. Lycii Gou Qi Zi (acting on Jing and Blood) are both used for vision problems.
As a mild Kidney tonic, it can be added to many formulas addressing Yin, Yang, Qi, or Jing Deficiency.
It helps the Kidney consolidate Qi and Jing, and appears in astringent formulas for frequent urination and seminal emission.
It is used for constipation associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency and Dryness.
Tu Si Zi and Fr. Psoraliae Bu Gu Zhi both warm Kidney Yang and tonify the Spleen to stop diarrhea. Tu Si Zi warms Kidney Yang gently while also tonifying Kidney Yin and nourishing the Liver to brighten the eyes, whereas Bu Gu Zhi is much more warming, strongly warms Kidney Yang, and has a stronger diarrhea-stopping effect.
Cuscuta Silk Cakes (Tu Si Bing) provide an enhanced tonifying effect.

Usual doses

Actions & indications

Contraindications

Combinations

Notes

Appears in