Cassia Seed
决明子 · Jué Míng Zǐ
Cools tired eyes and gets bowels moving
What it does
Cassia seed cools red, tired eyes, eases tension headaches, and softens stuck constipation. In TCM, it removes heat from the liver and improves eyesight, the pattern behind dry eyes from screen fatigue plus mild irritability. It's also a gentle laxative for hot, dry stool. Anthraquinones are studied for cholesterol. Distinct from cassia bark (cinnamon).
How to take it
Lightly toast 9–15g of cassia seeds, then steep in hot water for 15 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily. The toasted seeds give a coffee-like aroma. Pairs with chrysanthemum.
Try toasted cassia seed tea after long screen sessions for tired eyes
Safety
- Cooling and mildly laxative. Skip with chronic loose stools
- Contains anthraquinones. Long-term high-dose use can damage colon function
- Skip during pregnancy
- Limit to short courses, not indefinite daily use
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Cassia seed (Senna obtusifolia) comes from a small annual related to the cassia and senna laxatives. The Chinese name Jué Míng Zǐ means 'eye-brightening seed,' reflecting its long classical reputation for improving vision. Toasted cassia seed tea is a popular Korean beverage called Gyeolmyeongja-cha, drunk for eye fatigue and digestion. One small clinical trial explored cassia seed for obesity in patients with schizophrenia.