Morning Glory Seed
牵牛子 · Qiān Niú Zǐ
Practitioner herb for severe fluid retention
What it does
Morning glory seed drives out severe edema, ascites, and intractable constipation when gentler diuretics aren't enough. In TCM, it expels water through both stool and urine. It's also classically used for roundworms and tapeworms. Toxic, so doses are tiny and short-term. Modern medicine has safer alternatives.
How to take it
Used only in tightly controlled practitioner doses (3–9g processed seeds). Single-dose use for severe edema or constipation. Modern alternatives are far safer.
Avoid self-use. Modern diuretics and laxatives are safer
Safety
- Toxic. Severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration possible
- Strictly avoid during pregnancy. Strong abortifacient effect
- Skip with weak digestion, low blood pressure, or dehydration
- Modern medicine has safer diuretics for most edema
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Pharbitis (Pharbitis nil) is the same morning glory grown as an ornamental flower across East Asia. Both black and white varieties of seed are used in TCM, with similar effects. The seeds contain pharbitin, a glycoside that drives strong purgation. Classical pharmacopoeia warned of its harshness, and modern Chinese medicine uses it sparingly. Most modern formulas substitute gentler diuretics like coix seed or pseudostellaria.