Plantago Semen, Plantain Seed, Che Qian Zi 车前子

Arnoglossum
Che Qian Zi (TCM)
     Red Plantain (variety)                                                Greater Plantain       
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Left: Greater Plantain; Middle: Ribwort Plantain; Right: Buck's-Horn Plantain
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

     Greater Plantain                                                                                                Ribwort Plantain
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
P. major
Flora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885

P. lanceolata
Flora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885

P. asciatica
Illustrations Of Indian Botany, Vol. II, Wight, 1850
Botanical name:
Plantago spp.
Several species are used:
  1. P. majus is the Greater Plantain;
  2. P. lanceolata is Ribwort Plantain;
  3. P. coronopus is Buck's-Horn Plantain
  4. P. asciatica and others are used in India and China.

Parts used:
Seed

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist and dry. Slightly Bitter and Sweet
cleanses, thickens

Classifications:
2P. HEMOSTATICS
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC.    3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS
4c. CARDIAC.    4h. NEPHRITIC
Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine (TCM, West):
-Urinary Tract Infections, Cystitis, Edema, Oliguria, Strangury
    
2. Stops Leakage, Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Spermatorrhea, Impotence and premature Ejaculation from Kidney deficiency (TCM).
    
3. Clears Phlegm and Heat, Stops Cough (TCM, West):
-Heat type coughs with profuse sputum

4. Clears Liver Heat (TCM, West):
-Red Eyes, Headache, Irritability
    
5. Clears Heat, Benefits the Eyes:
-red, swollen and sore Eyes; poor Vision from Liver weakness; light sensitivity (TCM)
    
6. Clears Heat, Moistens to Promote Stool:
-laxative in constipation


DOSE:
Of the Seed in Powder: 2–6 grams
Of the Seed in Decoction: 6–15 grams

Main Combinations:
1. For heat-type Bleeding: Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
2. Bleeding from the Lungs, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
3. Edema, Dribbling or Obstructed Urine, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
4. Painful, dribbling, burning urine:
i. Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
5. Liver Heat with Red Eyes, Headache, Irritability, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
6. Diabetes, excess Urination, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
7. Diarrhea from Damp-Heat, or Damp with Spleen deficiency Plantain seed with   ... available in PRO version
8. Excessive Menstruation, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
9. Threatened Miscarriage, Plantain seed  ... available in PRO version
10. To promote Labor, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
11. Cataracts from Yin deficiency, Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Powder for Diabetes (Riverius)
Powder of Lavender Seed to Promote Labor
Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy
Troches of Agnus Castus

TCM (SEED):
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Ba Zhen San
Jia Wei Shen Qi Wan
Long Dan Bi Yuan Tang
Shi Wei San
Wan Dai Tang
Yi Huang Tang


Cautions:
Generally Safe. Use cautiously in cold and weakness of the digestion

Main Preparations used: