Porrum, Leek, Jiu Cai Zi 韭菜籽
Leek Seed
Jiu Cai Zi (Seed, TCM)
Kurrath (Unani)
Jiu Cai Zi (Seed, TCM)
Kurrath (Unani)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
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New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
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Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
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Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1806
Botanical name:
Allium porrum
In TCM, the seed of A. tuberosum (Chinese Leek) is used similarly.
Allium ascalonicum is the Shallot, the seed of which is used very similarly to Leek seed.
Parts used:
The Seed is most used in medicine, in both East and West
Root and Herb are less commonly used.
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent, Sweet
"Hot in the third and dry in the second deree" (Avicenna)
Classifications:
2B ATTENUATER
4k. ARTHRITIC
Allium porrum
In TCM, the seed of A. tuberosum (Chinese Leek) is used similarly.
Allium ascalonicum is the Shallot, the seed of which is used very similarly to Leek seed.
Parts used:
The Seed is most used in medicine, in both East and West
Root and Herb are less commonly used.
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent, Sweet
"Hot in the third and dry in the second deree" (Avicenna)
Classifications:
2B ATTENUATER
4k. ARTHRITIC
Uses:
LEEK:
1. Warms the Stomach, Benefits Qi:
-boiled, they give good Nourishment
-comfort the Stomach; Indigestion from Cold and Damp
-Hemorrhoids (Unani; juice was often used in Pills)
-"Oral intake of boiled leek or local application of a plaster prepared from it is useful in piles" (Avicenna)
-traditionally boiled to 'restore in Consumptions'
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-clears Cold Phlegm of the Lungs
-Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma
-Leek juice was used in pills for Cold-Phlegm-Damp, for example Pills of Euphorbium of Mesue
3. Resists Poison:
-bites of Venomous Beasts
4. Externally:
-externally to mature Abscesses (including those of the Ear)
-swollen and painful Hemorrhoids
-Burning
-Tinnitus
-Cold and Damp Pains
SEED:
1. Warms the Kidneys, Increases Yang (TCM, West):
-promotes Urine when obstructed by Cold-Damp
-urinary incontinence, urinary frequency
-promotes Lust; Impotence
-Leukorrhea; Lower back pain
-"Stimulates the Sexual desire. Its roasted seeds have also the similar effects" (Avicenna)
2. Stops Bleeding:
-Salmon listed Leek seed for Hemoptysis.
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–15 grams
Preparation:
1. Dry-fried Leek Seed:
In TCM the seeds are dry-fried until they swell and become aromatic. This increases their effect of warming the Kidneys. Avicenna likewise recommended the roasted seeds for this purpsoe.
2. Salt-prepared Leek seed:
The seeds can also be stir-fried with Salt Water to increase their effect on the Kidneys.
Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–15 grams
Preparation:
1. Dry-fried Leek Seed:
In TCM the seeds are dry-fried until they swell and become aromatic. This increases their effect of warming the Kidneys. Avicenna likewise recommended the roasted seeds for this purpsoe.
2. Salt-prepared Leek seed:
The seeds can also be stir-fried with Salt Water to increase their effect on the Kidneys.
Main Combinations:
1. To excite Libido, for Impotence, Lower Back Pain from Kidney Yang deficiency:
i. Leek seed with Black Pepper, Elecampane, Orchis, Cinnamon, Rocket seed and Skink tail (West)
ii. Leek seed with Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Cistanches Rou Cong Rong, Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Cinnamon (Rou Gui) (as in Qing Yang Bao Shen Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
2. Impotence, Premature ejaculation, Leek seed with Seeds of Plantain (Che Qian Zi), Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi, Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi, Astragalus Semen Sha Yuan Zi, along with Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi (all stir-fried) (as in Yi Shen Ling Keli)
3. Profuse Leukorrhea from Cold Kidneys, Leek seed with Cuttlefish bone. (TCM)
4. Strangury from Kidney deficiency, Leek seed with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren), Cornus Shan Zhu Yu, Water Plantain root (Ze Xie),
5. Lower Back pain and weakness from Yang deficiency, Leek seed with Cynomoum Suo Yang, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi), Eucommia Du Zhong, Rehmanna Shu Di Huang, Achyranthes Niu Xi (as in Suo Yang Gu Jing Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
6. Blind Hemorrhoids, Leek juice with Bdellium and Barberry (as in Pills of Leek, Unani)
7. Dysentery, roasted Leek seed with Myrtle seed (Avicenna)
8. Asthma from Cold Phlegm, Leek decocted in Barley water with Honey. (Avicenna)
9. Hemoptysis, Leek seed with Myrtle seed. (Avicenna)
10. Venomous Bites, Leek juice with Honey water. (Avicenna)
Major Formulas:
Pills of Euphorbium (Mesue)
Pills of Leek (Unani)
Antidote for Cold Kidneys and to Excite Libido (Nicholas)
Cautions:
1. Not used for Yin-deficient Heat.
2. "They often eating of them [Leek] causes troublesome sleep, and hurts the Sight’"
3. "Harmful in cases of Ulcerous affections of the Bladder and Kidney" (Avicenna)
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used for Yin-deficient Heat.
2. "They often eating of them [Leek] causes troublesome sleep, and hurts the Sight’"
3. "Harmful in cases of Ulcerous affections of the Bladder and Kidney" (Avicenna)
Main Preparations used: