Vaccariae Semen
Aliases：Jin Jiandao Cao (Golden Scissors Grass); Bu Liu Xing (Non-Retaining); Jian Jin Hua (Cutting-Gold Flower); Mai Lan Zi; Wang Bu Liu; Jin Zhan Yin Tai (Golden Cup and Silver Terrace); Jin Gong Hua (Forbidden Palace Flower); Liu Xing Zi; Nai Mi (Milk Rice); Wang Mu Niu; Da Mai Niu; Jian Jin Zi (Cutting-Gold Seed).
Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria Seed) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried mature seed of Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke, a plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It grows on hillsides, roadsides, and wastelands in hilly areas, most abundantly in wheat fields, and is also cultivated. It is an authenticated variety of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Terminology Standardization and Promotion Project, and is recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, Zhonghua Bencao (Chinese Materia Medica), and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Activates Blood circulation and unblocks menstruation; promotes lactation and reduces swelling; promotes diuresis and treats strangury.
Indications
Amenorrhea due to Blood stasis; dysmenorrhea; difficult labor; postpartum insufficient lactation; acute mastitis with swelling and pain; strangury with painful urination.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Vaccaria Seed possesses the following significant pharmacological activities: Lactation-promoting and mammary protective effects: Vaccaria Seed is a key herb in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting lactation, achieving this effect by activating Blood circulation and unblocking menstruation. Modern research suggests that it possesses prolactin-like activity, and its hormone-related effects have attracted attention. It is commonly used clinically for postpartum insufficient lactation and acute mastitis with swelling and pain. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects: Vaccaria Seed possesses definite anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. A total of 71 phytochemical constituents have been identified from Vaccaria segetalis, and its anti-inflammatory effects are associated with flavonoids, cyclic peptides, and triterpenoid saponins. Antitumor and cytotoxic effects: Extracts of Vaccaria Seed possess cytotoxic and anticancer properties, with potential therapeutic effects against gastric cancer and other tumors. Studies indicate that it can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis and possesses anti-angiogenic activity. Antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity effects: A literature review reports that Melandrium firmum (Vaccaria Seed) possesses antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity pharmacological activities, with representative constituents including 20-hydroxyecdysone and firmosides A and B. Amelioration of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Research suggests that Vaccaria Seed exerts an ameliorative effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia. Skin anti-aging and hair-growth promotion: Extracts of Vaccaria Seed show pharmacological potential in skin anti-aging and hair-growth promotion. Prevention of osteoporosis: The review reports activity in preventing osteoporosis. Anticoagulant effect: Vaccaria Seed possesses anticoagulant pharmacological activity, consistent with its traditional effect of activating Blood circulation and unblocking menstruation. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from modern experimental studies on seed extracts of Vaccaria Seed and constituents such as flavonoid glycosides, cyclic peptides, and triterpenoid saponins. Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on Vaccaria Seed is still ongoing. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
Vaccaria Seed (seed) mainly contains the following active constituents: Flavonoid glycosides: At least 6 flavonoid glycosides have been isolated from Vaccaria Seed; these serve as one of the quality markers. Cyclic peptides: 7 cyclic peptide compounds have been identified; these are characteristic constituents and quality markers of Vaccaria Seed. Triterpenoid saponins: 27 saponins have been identified; these serve as one of the quality markers. Volatile oils: 73 volatile oil constituents have been extracted and identified. Ecdysteroids: 20-Hydroxyecdysone is one of the representative active constituents. Others: The seed also contains firmosides A and B, among other constituents. Note: Quality marker (Q-marker) research on Vaccaria Seed considers flavonoids, cyclic peptides, and triterpenoid saponins as the key indicators for its quality evaluation and quality control.
Usage & Dosage
孕妇忌用。王不留行活血走窜之力极强，有动胎气、致流产之险。 月经过多及有出血倾向者忌用。行血之力过强，恐加重出血。 血虚无瘀滞者禁服。无瘀滞而强行“开路”，反耗气血。 常规用量5～10克，不宜自行加量。
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Vaccaria Seed has a very strong Blood-activating and moving action, with a risk of disturbing the fetus and causing miscarriage. Contraindicated in individuals with menorrhagia or a bleeding tendency. Its Blood-moving action is too strong and may aggravate bleeding.
Selected Formulas
For obstructed lactation (Weisheng Baojian, Yongquan San) Take equal parts of Wangbuliuxing (Vaccariae Semen), Baidingxiang (white sparrow droppings), Loulu (Rhapontici Radix), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Chuanshanjia (pangolin scales). Grind into fine powder. Take 3 qian each time, mixed with pig-trotter soup. For early-stage acute mastitis (Wangbuliuxing Baike) Take 1 liang of Wangbuliuxing, 5 qian each of Pugongying (Taraxaci Herba) and Gualouren (Trichosanthis Semen), and 3 qian of Dangguiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, tail part). Decoct with wine and take. For obstructed lactation with qi-vessel congestion and breast distension and pain (Rubing) Take 3 qian each of Wangbuliuxing, Tianhuafen, and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix), together with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Chuanshanjia. Grind into fine powder. Take 3 qian each time.
Daily Consumption
Vaccaria Seed and Pig Trotter Stew: Pig trotters 3–4, Vaccaria Seed 12 g, and seasonings to taste. Remove the hair from the pig trotters, wash and chop them into pieces. Add water and bring to a boil, then discard the blood scum. Add ginger, rice wine, and a little salt, and simmer for 30 minutes. Then add Vaccaria Seed and a small amount of Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), and simmer until the pig trotters are tender. Consume the soup and meat. Vaccaria Seed and Yellow Wine Chicken Soup: Old hen 500 g, Vaccaria Seed 10 g, yellow rice wine to taste, and ginger 2 slices. Place all ingredients in a clay pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1.5 hours. Add salt to taste. Consume both the chicken and the soup. Vaccaria Seed and Egg Soup: Vaccaria Seed 12 g, eggs 3, and white sugar to taste. First, decoct Vaccaria Seed in half a small bowl of cold water for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid and discard the residue. Pour the medicinal liquid into a pot and bring to a gentle boil over low heat. Crack in 3 eggs, add white sugar, and cook for another 3 minutes until the egg yolks are soft-boiled. Remove from the heat. Serve as breakfast or a snack.
Medicinal Parts
Dried mature seeds.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Stir-fried Vaccaria Seed should be kept tightly sealed in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture absorption and loss of aroma.
