State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Pharm Name

Cassiae Semen

Common Name

Sickle-Pod Senna Seed

Category

Clear Heat Drain Fire

Ingredients

Taste

Bitter, Sweet, Salty

Pao Zhi

Temperature

Slightly cold

Action / Indication

1. Clears the Liver and the eyes: for red, swollen, and painful eyes from heat or wind-heat in the Liver channel. Also for eye problems such as photosensitivity, night blindness, and insidious loss of vision without visible physical changes to the eye.
2. Calms the Liver and anchors the errant yang: for headaches and dizziness from ascendant Liver yang. Recently this function has been expanded to include hypertension.
3. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels: for dry or infrequent stools or chronic constipation, especially when there is an aspect of Liver yin deficiency. 
   
4. Recently used to prevent atherosclerosis as it lowers both blood pressure and serum cholesterol.  
   

Treatment Principles

1. Clears Heat and Improves the Vision
2. Clears Liver Yang Rising
3. Lowers Blood Pressure
4. Lowers Cholesterol
5. Clears heat from the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels

Contraindication

Do not use with diuretics. Contraindicated in cases with diarrhea or hypotension. Use caution during pregnancy, as it causes uterine contractions.

Dosages

9-15g, crushed. 3-6g as a powder. Use 30g to lower cholesterol. Use raw or dry-fried.

Meridians

LV, KD, LI

Tom's Comment

Source

Formula Type