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Photo of Cnidium Fruit

Cnidium Fruit

蛇床子 · Shé Chuáng Zǐ

Warms a cold uterus and calms itchy skin

Properties

WarmingWarming botanicalPungent, Bitter

What it does

Cnidium fruit is mostly used topically in TCM for itchy genital skin, vaginal discharge, and damp eczema. Internally, it warms the kidneys, supports fertility in 'cold uterus' patterns, and treats male sexual weakness. The pungent warmth dries dampness and kills parasites at the skin surface. Slightly toxic, so internal doses are low. Often paired with mint in itching washes.

How to take it

Topical

Decoct 15–30g in 4 cups water, cool, and use as a wash for itchy skin or vaginal rinse. Internal dose (3–9g) only by practitioner direction.

Try a cooled topical wash for stubborn itchy skin patches

Safety

  • Slightly toxic. Topical use is much safer than internal
  • Skip during pregnancy
  • Test small skin patch before broader topical use
  • Internal use only by practitioner direction
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Cnidium fruit has been a TCM staple for itchy skin and reproductive issues since the Tang Dynasty. The name Shé Chuáng Zǐ means 'snake bed seed,' a reference to the plant's marshy habitat. Modern researchers isolated osthole, a coumarin with antifungal and estrogen-modulating effects in lab studies. Still primarily used in topical washes for gynecological skin issues.