Use of Bai Jie Zi (white mustard seeds) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: We use the mature seeds of the plant , extract them and stir-fry until deep yellow
Dosage: 3-9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Warms the lungs. Eliminates Phlegm and regulated Qi. Dissipates nodules and unblocks the Meridians to relieve pain.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Bai Jie Zi may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Asthma Chronic bronchitis Obstructive pulmonary disease Sores
Contraindications*: Contraindicated for those with chronic cough due to Lung Deficiency and for those with Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
Common TCM formulas in which Bai Jie Zi is used*
San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Source date: 1856 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Formula key actions: Directs the Qi downward. Transforms Phlegm. Reduces harbored food.
Conditions targeted*: Chronic bronchitisBronchial asthma and others
Bai Jie Zi is a king ingredient in San Zi Yang Qin Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In San Zi Yang Qin Tang, Bai Jie Zi has the distinctive ability to penetrate the Yin and restore movement to the Yang. It enters and warms the Lungs, regulates the Qi, and expels Phlegm.
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Pacifies the Liver. Removes Stagnation. Drains Fire. Unblocks the Meridians.
In Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, Bai Jie Zi regulates Qi in the diaphragm and thus helps to pacify Liver Qi.
Key TCM concepts behind Bai Jie Zi's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Bai Jie Zi belongs to the 'Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough' category. In TCM Phlegm is a condition of Stagnation of Fluids which tends to start in the Spleen and then goes to the Lungs. If this overly accumulates it thickens and becomes pathological Phlegm. Phlegm, being a form of Stagnation, often starts as being Cool and transforms to Hot as the condition progresses. The herbs in this category are Cold in nature so they treat the later stages of the Stagnation: Hot and Dry-Phlegm with symptoms such as cough, goiter or scrofula.
As suggested by its category Bai Jie Zi is Warm in nature. This means that Bai Jie Zi tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Bai Jie Zi can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Bai Jie Zi also tastes Bitter. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Bai Jie Zi tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Bai Jie Zi is thought to target the Stomach and the Lung. In TCM the Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.