Sinapis Albae Semen
Aliases：Là Cài Zǐ (Spicy Vegetable Seed); Bái Jiè Zǐ (White Mustard Seed); Bái Jiè Zǐ (White Mustard Seed); Là Cài Zǐ (Spicy Vegetable Seed).
Bái Jiè Zǐ (White Mustard Seed) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the seed of Sinapis alba L., a plant of the Brassicaceae family.
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the lungs and resolves phlegm, promotes qi circulation and disperses nodules, and unblocks the meridians to relieve pain.
Indications
Used for cold-phlegm cough, chest and rib-side distension and pain, phlegm stagnation in the meridians, joint numbness and pain, phlegm-dampness with flowing abscesses, and yin-type ulcers and toxic swellings. Modern applications also include chronic bronchitis, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis with patterns of cold-phlegm or phlegm-dampness stagnation.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antiasthmatic, and Expectorant Effects: Exhibits antitussive, expectorant, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Antitumor Effect: The volatile oil inhibits the growth of H22 hepatoma cells, with mechanisms related to the regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 expression and the induction of apoptosis. Immunomodulatory Effect: Fermented patches alleviate airway inflammation in asthmatic rats, involving pathways such as IL-17 and TNF. Transdermal Absorption and Acupoint Effect: The absorption rate of sinapine thiocyanate is significantly enhanced after acupoint administration, thereby improving bioavailability.
Ingredients
Glucosinolates: Sinalbin, a characteristic component. Alkaloids: Sinapine. Enzymes: Myrosinase. Fatty acids: Erucic acid (approx. 45.93%), oleic acid (approx. 23.66%), linoleic acid (approx. 9.72%), etc. Volatile components: Allyl isothiocyanate (approx. 15.85%), anethole (approx. 6.75%), etc. Other constituents: 4-Hydroxybenzoylcholine, 4-hydroxybenzylamine, p-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile, daucosterol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–9g; or prepared in pills or powder. The maximum dosage should not exceed 6g, and prolonged use is not recommended. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, ground into powder for external application. External use may cause blisters or even ulcers, so caution is advised.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with chronic cough with lung deficiency and yin deficiency with fire excess. Contraindicated in patients with peptic ulcers, bleeding disorders, and skin allergies. Use with caution in patients with external wind-heat or warm-heat, internal fire excess, or blood deficiency with heat. Contraindicated in individuals with allergies. Use with caution in patients without chronic, stubborn disease with strong constitution and pathogenic excess; contraindicated in those with qi deficiency, yin deficiency, or bleeding tendencies. Use with caution during pregnancy: As this herb is pungent, warm, and dispersing with potent properties, it should be used under the guidance of a physician during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For chronic cough with qi counterflow and phlegm obstruction (Han Shi Yi Tong, Sanzi Yangqin Tang) Take equal parts of Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed), Zisuzi (Perilla Fruit), and Laifuzi (Radish Seed). Lightly stir-fry, crush, wrap in cloth, and decoct in water to drink. For arm pain radiating to the scapula due to phlegm stagnation in channels (Furen Liangfang, Baijiezi San) Take 3 liang each of Baijiezi and Mubiezi (Momordica seed, stir-fried with bran), and 0.5 liang each of Moyao (Myrrh), Guixin (Cinnamon), and Muxiang (Costus). Grind into powder. Take 1 qian each dose with warm wine. For rheumatic beriberi (leg swelling and pain) with weakness (Shengji Zonglu, Jiezi Gao) Take 1 liang each of Baijiezi, Yuncaizi (Rape seed), Bimazi (Castor bean), Mubiezi, and Baijiaoxiang (Pistacia resin), plus 5 walnuts. Crush into a paste and rub on the painful area. For phlegm stagnation masses (Yixue Rumen, Baijie Wan) Take 1.5 liang each of Baijiezi and Luobozi (Radish seed), 1 liang each of Shanzhi (Gardenia), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Sanleng (Sparganium), Ezhu (Curcuma), Taoren (Peach kernel), Xiangfu (Cyperus), Shanzha (Hawthorn), and Shenqu (Malted barley), plus 0.5 liang of Qingpi (Green tangerine peel) and 1.5 liang of Huanglian (Coptis). Make into pills and take. For wind-fire toothache and chronic periodontitis (Taiping Shenghui Fang, Baijiezi Chuibi San) Take Baijiezi, grind into powder, and blow into the nostrils.
Daily Consumption
White Mustard Seed Stewed Pumpkin: 20g White Mustard Seed, 350g pumpkin, 1000g clear broth. Peel and cut the pumpkin into pieces, cook with White Mustard Seed, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 40 minutes, and season with salt. Mustard Seed Wine: Grind White Mustard Seed into coarse powder, place in a gauze bag, soak in white liquor for 3 days, then add yellow wine and soak for another 3 days. Remove the bag, clarify, and consume warm. Take 20–50ml each time, 3 times daily.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe seed.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry, airtight container in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.