State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Pharm Name

Cuscutae Semen

Common Name

Chinese Dodder Seeds

Category

Tonify the Yang

Ingredients

Taste

Sweet, Acrid

Pao Zhi

Mix-fried to enhance its ability to supplement the Kidneys, secure the essence, stop diarrhea, quiet the fetus and control urination.

Temperature

Neutral

Action / Indication

1. Tonifies the yang, augments the yin, and secures the essence and the urine: for patterns of Kidney yang deficiency with such symptoms as impotence, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, tinnitus, urinary frequency, sore painful back, or vaginal discharge. 
2. Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver and improves the vision: for patterns of Liver and Kidney yin and yang deficiency (e.g., deficient essence) with such symptoms as dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, or spots before the eyes. 
3. Benefits the Spleen and Kidneys and stops diarrhea: for diarrhea or loose stools with a lack of appetite from deficiency of both the Spleen and Kidneys. 
4. Calms the fetus: an important herb for habitual or threatened miscarriage. 

Treatment Principles

Tonifies Kidney Yang
Tonifies Kidney Yin
Tonifies Liver Yin
Benefits the Eyes
Stops Diarrhea
Treats Wasting and Thirsting
Benefits the Skin

Contraindication

Yin deficiency heat, dryness, constipation, and scanty dark urine.

Dosages

9-15g

Meridians

LIV, KD

Tom's Comment

1. Tu Si Zi is a seed that are available in “cake” form in the shape of a domino tile and little cubes. They are also available as loose seed.
2. Tu Si Zi can calm the fetus by its tonifying action, not by warming or heat clearing which may be achieved with Ai Ye and Huang Qin respectively.

Source

Formula Type