Beach vitex fruit (man jing zi)

Vitex rotundifolia (syn. V. trifolia)

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat in headache and eye pain, and relieves cramps and heaviness in the limbs.

Safety notes

Caution with blood, yin or stomach qi deficiency. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Fruit. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that open the surface'. Man jing zi cools and dispels wind in headache, dizziness and red eyes. The shrub grows on sandy coasts in Asia and Australia.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: pungent, bitter, cool
Meridians: liver, stomach, bladder

Attributed effects

Expels wind-heat in headache and pain in or behind the eyes, watery eyes and spots in the vision, and wind-damp with cramps, numbness and heavy limbs.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 5–15 g a day, usually in a decoction. Related to the European chaste tree, but used differently.

Combinations

With perilla leaf, mint, bai zhi and chrysanthemum for a cold with headache
With gao ben, fang feng, qin jiao and kudzu for migraine

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction

Sources

All herbs from Asia →