They are mostly sweet in flavor and moist in property, include oil and mostly belong to fruits and seeds of the plants. They can lubricate the large intestine to promote bowels to be discharged but not to induce violent diarrhea. They are commonly used in constipation and dry stool due to the elderly and weak that are deficient in the blood and body fluids. They can be combined with the medicinal herbs that can circulate qi, and those that can tonify blood or nourish yin according to syndromes.

Huomaren  Fructus Cannabis

The source is from the fruits of Cannabis sativa L., family Moraceae. The medicinal material is produced in all parts of China, collected in autumn when the fruits are ripe, dried in the sun and broken. The crude form is used for medication.

Medicinal Properties  Sweet in flavor, bland in nature and attributive to the spleen, large and small intestine meridians.

Actions  Moisten the intestine to relieve constipation.

Application

For constipation due to dryness of intestine. For the elderly or pregnant women that are weak or deficient in the body fluids and blood, it can be combined with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ) and Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata). For constipation due to pathogenic heat injuring yin or constitutional yin deficiency, it can be combined with Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Houpo (Cortex Magnotiae Officinatis ), such as Maziren Wan (Pill).

Usage and Dosage  10 -30 g is used in decoction for oral use, broken and then added to decoction.

Yuliren  Semen Pruni

The source is from the seeds of Prumus humilis Bunge or P. japonica Thunb., family Rosaceass. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Hebei, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia autonomgus region, etc., collected in autumn when the fruits are ripe, dried in the sun and the crude form is used.

Medicinal Properties  Pungent, bitter and sweet in flavor, bland in nature and attributive to the spleen, large and small intestine meridians.

Actions  Moisten the intestine to relieve constipation, promote diuresis and relieve edema.

Application

For constipation due to dryness of intestine, it is usually combined with Huomaren ( Fructus Cannabis ), Baiziren ( Semen Biotae), and Xingren ( Semen Armeniacae Amarum), such as Wuren Wan (Pill).

For edema, abdominal fullness, beriberi and dysuria, it is usually used together with Sangbaipi (Cortex Mori Radicis ) , Chixiaodou ( Semen Phaseoli) , etc. such as Yuliren Tang (Decoction).

Usage and Dosage 3 - 9 g is used in decoction for oral use, broken and then added to decoction.

Notes  used in pregnant women with caution.