- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- East Asia, especially China
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 746
Gypsophila vaccaria (syn. Vaccaria segetalis)
Herb · Asia
Vaccaria seed (wang bu liu xing)
Gypsophila vaccaria (syn. Vaccaria segetalis)
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and milk flow and reduces painful swellings.
Safety notes
Not during pregnancy. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Have breast inflammation with fever assessed.
Preparation
Seed. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that move the blood'. Wang bu liu xing means 'even a king cannot stop it': according to Chinese medicine the seeds make blood and milk flow. They are used for a blocked milk duct and taped onto points of the ear in auricular acupuncture.
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
- bitter, neutral
- Meridians
- liver, stomach
Attributed effects
For absent menstruation, too little breast milk and painful, swollen breasts, testicles or glands; crushed with sesame oil externally for shingles.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Acupuncturists tape the seeds onto ear points.
Combinations
- With dang gui, chuanxiong and safflower for menstrual pain
- With huang qi and dang gui for too little milk from deficiency
- With dandelion and honeysuckle for breast inflammation
Caution: Have breast inflammation with fever assessed.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction