Herb Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Chong Wei Zi

Motherwort fruit · 茺蔚子

Leonurus japonicus Houtt. · Fructus Leonuri

Also known as: Yì Mǔ Zǐ (益母子), Chōng Yù Zǐ (茺玉子), Yì Mǔ Cǎo Zǐ (益母草子),

Chong Wei Zi (Motherwort fruit) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Motherwort fruit is a traditional Chinese herb best known for supporting menstrual health and eye wellness. It helps improve blood circulation in the uterus and is commonly used for irregular, painful, or absent periods, as well as postpartum recovery. It also clears excess heat from the Liver to relieve red, swollen, or painful eyes and headaches related to high blood pressure.

Category Blood-invigorating and stasis-dispelling herbs (活血化瘀药)
Therapeutic focus Menstrual Health Women's Health Eye Health and Vision Blood Pressure Support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Pericardium, Liver

Parts used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Chong Wei Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Chong Wei Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Menstrual Health Women's Health Eye Health and Vision Blood Pressure Support

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Chong Wei Zi performs to restore balance in the body:

Invigorates Blood and Regulates Menstruation Clears Liver Heat and Brightens the Eyes Disperses Wind-Heat Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema

How these actions work

'Invigorates Blood and regulates menstruation' means that Chong Wei Zi moves stagnant Blood in the uterus and pelvic area, helping restore a normal menstrual flow. This is its primary and most important action. It is used for irregular periods, painful periods, missed periods, and postpartum abdominal pain caused by retained blood clots. The classical text Ben Cao Jing Shu described it as "an essential medicine for regulating menstruation in women's pregnancy and childbirth" (为妇人胎产调经之要药). Its acrid taste disperses stagnation while its bitter taste helps move Blood downward, making it effective for gynecological Blood stasis conditions.

'Clears the Liver and brightens the eyes' refers to Chong Wei Zi's ability to cool Liver Heat and improve eye conditions. Since the eyes are considered the "opening" of the Liver in TCM, when excess Heat accumulates in the Liver channel, it can rise to the eyes causing redness, swelling, pain, or the formation of a film or opacity over the eye (pterygium or corneal opacity). Chong Wei Zi's slightly cool, bitter nature clears this Heat from the Liver channel, while its Blood-moving action ensures good blood flow to nourish the eyes. This action was noted as early as the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, which stated that it "brightens the eyes and benefits essence."

'Dispels Wind-Heat' means the herb can help address conditions where external Wind-Heat pathogens affect the head and eyes, causing headache, dizziness, and eye redness. Its acrid taste helps disperse wind, while its cool nature counteracts the heat. 'Promotes urination and reduces edema' is a secondary action also noted in the classical texts, where its acrid, dispersing quality helps move fluids through the waterways and relieve mild edema.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Chong Wei Zi is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Chong Wei Zi addresses this pattern

Chong Wei Zi is acrid and bitter with a slightly cool nature, entering the Pericardium and Liver channels. Its acrid taste disperses stagnant Blood while its bitter taste drives Blood downward, directly breaking up the Blood stasis that is the defining pathomechanism of this pattern. Unlike strongly warming Blood movers, Chong Wei Zi's cool nature means it can address Blood stasis that has generated Heat without worsening the heat component. The classical Ben Cao Jing Shu praised it as "an essential medicine for women's menstrual regulation" precisely because it both moves and mildly nourishes Blood.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Amenorrhea

Fixed, stabbing menstrual pain

Amenorrhea

Absent periods due to Blood stasis

Irregular Menstruation

Late periods with dark, clotted blood

Postpartum Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain after childbirth with lochia retention

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Chong Wei Zi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Blood Stasis in the Uterus

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, painful periods are most often understood as a failure of Blood to flow freely through the uterus. When Blood becomes stagnant, it accumulates and creates localized blockages that produce sharp, fixed, stabbing pain, typically before or during menstruation. The pain worsens with pressure and improves once clots are passed. Contributing factors include emotional stress (which stagnates Liver Qi, which in turn stagnates Blood), exposure to cold (which congeals Blood), or constitutional weakness. The Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi and stores Blood, and the Pericardium channel is closely linked to the uterus, so both channels are directly involved in menstrual Blood circulation.

Why Chong Wei Zi Helps

Chong Wei Zi enters both the Pericardium and Liver channels, the two channels most directly connected to uterine Blood flow. Its acrid taste actively disperses stagnant Blood, while its bitter taste helps drive Blood downward toward the uterus. Unlike strongly warming Blood movers, Chong Wei Zi's slightly cool nature means it will not generate additional Heat. The Ben Cao Jing Shu described it as a medicine that "tonifies yet also moves, disperses yet also moistens" (补而能行，辛散而兼润), making it well suited for menstrual pain where the goal is to move Blood without further depleting or overheating it. It is commonly paired with Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica root) for this purpose.

Also commonly used for

Irregular Menstruation

Late or scanty periods with dark clotted blood

Blurry Vision

Corneal opacity or pterygium

Headaches

Headache from Liver Heat or high blood pressure

Hypertension

High blood pressure with Liver Fire pattern

Dizziness

Dizziness with head distension

Postpartum Abdominal Pain

Postpartum pain from retained blood

Edema

Mild fluid retention

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Pericardium Liver

Parts Used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Chong Wei Zi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

4.5-9g

Maximum dosage

Do not exceed 15g per day in decoction. Single doses above 20g have been documented to cause toxicity.

Dosage notes

The standard decoction dose is 4.5-9g. Some sources extend the range to 5-10g. For eye conditions (red, swollen, painful eyes or corneal opacities), it is often combined with Liver-clearing and vision-brightening herbs like Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) and Bai Ji Li (Tribulus). For menstrual irregularities and Blood stasis pain, the dry-fried form (炒茺蔚子) is preferred, as dry-frying makes it slightly more warming and enhances its Blood-moving action. When used as powder, the dose is reduced to 1-3g. Prolonged continuous use beyond two weeks is not recommended due to risk of cumulative toxicity from the alkaloid content.

Preparation

Should be lightly crushed (捣碎) before decocting to improve extraction of active compounds from the hard, small fruits. No other special decoction handling required. The dry-fried form (炒茺蔚子) is prepared by stir-frying the cleaned fruits until popping sounds are heard; this form is preferred for Blood-moving and menstrual-regulating applications.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Chong Wei Zi does

Processing method

Stir-fry clean Chong Wei Zi seeds over a gentle flame until popping sounds are heard and the surface color deepens, then remove and cool.

How it changes properties

Stir-frying slightly moderates the herb's cool nature, makes the hard seed coat easier to break during decoction (improving extraction of active compounds), and adds a mild aromatic quality. The core actions of invigorating Blood and clearing the Liver are preserved, but the processed form is considered slightly gentler on the Stomach. It does not fundamentally change the thermal nature or channel entry.

When to use this form

The stir-fried form is the standard clinical preparation for most indications. Because the raw seeds are very small and hard, frying cracks the seed coat and improves the decoction yield. This is the form specified in most modern formularies. Use it for both gynecological Blood stasis and eye conditions. Raw (unprocessed) seeds are sometimes used specifically for stronger eye-clearing effects.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Chong Wei Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Dang Gui
Dang Gui 1:1 (Chong Wei Zi 9g : Dang Gui 9g)

Chong Wei Zi invigorates Blood and dispels stasis while Dang Gui nourishes Blood and alleviates pain. Together they achieve both Blood-moving and Blood-nourishing effects simultaneously, ensuring that stasis is removed without depleting Blood reserves.

When to use: Menstrual disorders caused by Blood stasis, including late periods, absent periods, painful periods with dark clotted blood, and postpartum abdominal pain from retained blood.

Ju Hua
Ju Hua 1:1 (Chong Wei Zi 10g : Ju Hua 10g)

Both herbs clear the Liver and benefit the eyes, but through different mechanisms. Chong Wei Zi clears Liver Heat directly, while Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) disperses Wind-Heat from the Liver channel. Together they combine heat-clearing and wind-dispersing actions to powerfully relieve eye redness and pain.

When to use: Red, swollen, painful eyes and headache caused by Liver Fire flaring upward, especially when there is a wind-heat component.

Fang Feng
Fang Feng 1:1 (Chong Wei Zi 6g : Fang Feng 6g)

Fang Feng disperses external Wind pathogens from the eye area while Chong Wei Zi clears internal Liver Heat. Together they address both the external trigger and the internal heat that cause eye inflammation.

When to use: Acute eye redness with swelling, itching, and excessive tearing, particularly in cases where Wind-Heat affects the eyes. This pairing forms the core of the classical Chong Wei Zi San from the Mi Chuan Yan Ke Long Mu Lun.

Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi 1:1 (Chong Wei Zi 9g : Che Qian Zi 9g)

Che Qian Zi (Plantago seed) clears Liver Heat and promotes urination to drain Heat downward, while Chong Wei Zi clears the Liver and brightens the eyes. Together they strongly clear Liver Heat from the eyes through both direct cooling and downward drainage.

When to use: Eye redness with corneal opacity or pterygium, particularly when there is accompanying dark or scanty urination indicating Heat accumulation.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Yi Mu Cao
Chong Wei Zi vs Yi Mu Cao

Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort herb) is the aerial part of the same plant. Both invigorate Blood and regulate menstruation, but Yi Mu Cao is stronger at promoting urination and reducing edema, and is more commonly used at higher doses as a standalone gynecological herb. Chong Wei Zi (the fruit/seed) has a stronger action on the eyes due to its Liver-clearing properties, and is the preferred choice when eye problems accompany gynecological Blood stasis. Chong Wei Zi is also noted as having slight toxicity at high doses, requiring more careful dosing (5-10g) compared to Yi Mu Cao (9-30g).

Ju Hua
Chong Wei Zi vs Ju Hua

Both clear the Liver and benefit the eyes, but Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) is primarily a Wind-Heat dispersing herb that cools and calms the Liver. Chong Wei Zi is primarily a Blood-invigorating herb that also clears Liver Heat. Choose Chong Wei Zi when eye redness is accompanied by menstrual irregularities or Blood stasis signs. Choose Ju Hua for straightforward Wind-Heat or Liver Yang rising patterns without significant Blood stasis.

Bai Jie Zi
Chong Wei Zi vs Bai Jie Zi

Both Chong Wei Zi and Bai Ji Li (Tribulus fruit) enter the Liver channel and are used for eye disorders with Liver involvement. However, Bai Ji Li focuses more on soothing Liver Qi, extinguishing Liver Wind, and dispersing stagnation, and is better for itchy eyes and Liver Wind patterns. Chong Wei Zi is better at clearing Liver Heat and invigorating Blood, making it more suitable for red, painful eyes combined with Blood stasis conditions.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Chong Wei Zi

Chong Wei Zi may be confused with or adulterated by Perilla seeds (紫苏子, Zi Su Zi). The key differences: Chong Wei Zi is distinctively three-angled (trigonous), greyish-brown, and has a bitter taste. Perilla seeds are ovoid/round, greyish-brown to black with slight luster, and taste bland (not bitter). When soaked in water, Perilla seeds produce a white mucilaginous coating on their surface, while Chong Wei Zi merely swells without producing mucilage. Additionally, the herb Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort aerial parts) comes from the same plant but is a different medicinal product with different properties and applications, and the two should not be interchanged.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Chong Wei Zi

Slightly toxic

Chong Wei Zi is classified as slightly toxic (小毒) in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The toxic component is primarily leonurine (益母草宁碱, also called stachydrine-related alkaloids), which in excessive doses can paralyze the central nervous system and produce a curare-like paralysis of motor nerve endings. Based on 25 reported cases of poisoning, ingesting 20-30g in a single dose can cause toxicity within 4-10 hours. Some individuals developed symptoms only after consuming up to 500g cumulatively over 10 days. Symptoms include sudden generalized weakness, paralysis of the lower limbs (inability to walk), whole-body soreness and numbness, chest tightness, and profuse sweating with a state of collapse. Importantly, consciousness, speech, and pulse remain normal throughout. All reported cases recovered with treatment, with no fatalities. In some regions (e.g. Changshu, Jiangsu), there was a folk custom of eating roasted and ground Chong Wei Zi mixed into pancakes or rice powder as a 'tonic,' which led to poisoning incidents. At standard decoction doses of 4.5-9g, the herb is considered safe.

Contraindications

Situations where Chong Wei Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy. Chong Wei Zi is a Blood-invigorating herb that promotes uterine contractions and moves Blood vigorously. It should not be used during pregnancy due to the risk of miscarriage.

Avoid

Pupil dilation (mydriasis) from Liver Blood deficiency. Classical sources, including Li Dongyuan (Li Gao), specifically prohibit its use when the pupils are dilated, as this indicates Blood deficiency and the herb's strong Blood-moving action would further deplete Blood. However, when red eyes are caused by Blood Heat threatening the pupil, it may be used cautiously with Blood-cooling herbs.

Caution

Liver Blood deficiency without Blood stasis or Blood Heat. The Ben Cao Cong Xin states: 'Do not use unless there is Blood stagnation or Blood Heat.' Using it in pure deficiency patterns would worsen the condition.

Caution

Active uterine bleeding (Blood collapse/崩漏) without Blood stasis. The Ben Cao Jing Shu warns that it is prohibited in cases of uterine hemorrhage, as its Blood-moving nature could worsen uncontrolled bleeding.

Avoid

Excessive dosage (over 20g in a single dose). Toxicity reports document that consuming 20-30g at once can cause poisoning symptoms within 4-10 hours, including generalized weakness, lower limb paralysis, and profuse sweating.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy. Chong Wei Zi is a Blood-invigorating herb derived from Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao), a plant with well-documented uterotonic properties that can stimulate uterine contractions. Classical sources explicitly list pregnant women (孕妇) among those who should not take this herb. Its strong Blood-moving action poses a risk of miscarriage or premature labor.

Breastfeeding

Caution advised. While there is no specific classical prohibition against use during breastfeeding, Chong Wei Zi is classified as slightly toxic and contains alkaloids (stachydrine, leonurine-related compounds) that could theoretically transfer through breast milk. Its Blood-moving properties may also affect postpartum recovery in complex ways. Use only under professional guidance and at conservative doses if deemed necessary.

Children

Not commonly used in pediatric practice. If prescribed for a child by a qualified practitioner, dosage should be significantly reduced according to age and body weight (typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose for older children). Given the herb's slight toxicity and Blood-moving properties, it should be used with extra caution and for short durations in children.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Chong Wei Zi

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications: Chong Wei Zi invigorates Blood and promotes circulation. Concurrent use with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, heparin, aspirin, or clopidogrel may theoretically potentiate anticoagulant effects and increase bleeding risk.

Antihypertensive medications: Pharmacological studies show that Chong Wei Zi extracts have a mild blood pressure-lowering effect. Combining it with antihypertensive drugs may result in additive hypotensive effects, potentially causing excessive blood pressure reduction.

Uterotonic medications: As a herb from the Motherwort plant with known uterotonic properties, it should not be combined with oxytocin or other uterine-stimulating drugs without medical supervision, as this could cause excessive uterine contractions.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Chong Wei Zi

Avoid iron vessels and utensils when preparing this herb, as noted in the classical text Jing Xiao Chan Bao (经效产宝). During treatment with Chong Wei Zi for Blood stasis conditions, avoid excessive consumption of cold and raw foods that may impede Blood circulation. When using it for eye conditions related to Liver Heat, reduce intake of spicy, greasy, and heating foods (such as alcohol, deep-fried foods, and strong spices) that may aggravate Liver Heat.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Chong Wei Zi source plant

Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (Chinese Motherwort) is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae (mint) family, growing from a taproot. The stems are upright, square in cross-section (characteristic of the mint family), and reach 30 to 120 cm in height. The lower leaves are palmately lobed, resembling those of Perilla (white su), while the upper leaves become progressively narrower. Flowers are sessile, produced in dense whorls (verticillasters) at the leaf nodes along the upper stem. The calyx is tubular-campanulate, 6-8 mm long with broad triangular teeth. The corolla is white, pink, or reddish-purple (purplish-red), lip-shaped. The plant blooms from June to September.

The medicinal fruit (Chong Wei Zi) develops after flowering, with seeds ripening from August to September. Each fruit is a small nutlet, distinctively three-angled (trigonous), only 2-3 mm long and about 1.5 mm wide. The plant favors moist habitats such as field edges, roadsides, streamsides, and hillside grasslands, especially in sunny locations, growing at elevations up to 3,000 m. It is native to Asia but has naturalized across South and North America, Europe, and Africa.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Chong Wei Zi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Late summer to autumn (August-October), when the flowers have withered and the fruits are fully mature. The entire above-ground plant is cut, sun-dried, and the fruits are threshed out.

Primary growing regions

Leonurus japonicus grows throughout China and has no single renowned 'terroir' (道地药材) region, unlike many other herbs. It is commonly found wild in fields, roadsides, and damp grasslands across all provinces. The major commercial production areas include Northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning) and Anhui province, both of which are prominent sources in the current market. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing records its habitat as 'seaside ponds and marshlands' (海滨池泽). It also grows widely throughout Korea, Japan, Cambodia, and has naturalized in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

Quality indicators

Good quality Chong Wei Zi fruits are plump, full, and uniformly three-angled in shape, measuring 2-3 mm long and about 1.5 mm wide. The surface should be greyish-brown to greyish-dark brown with scattered darker spots, and the texture should be slightly rough without luster. When cut open, the fruit skin appears brownish-black, the endosperm is very thin and grey, and the cotyledons (seed leaves) are greyish-white and oily. The taste should be distinctly bitter with only a faint aroma. Avoid fruits that are shriveled, broken, or contain excessive stem and leaf debris. A common adulterant to watch for is Perilla seeds (紫苏子), which are ovoid-shaped (not three-angled), have a milder flavor without the characteristic bitterness, and produce a white mucilaginous layer when soaked in water (Chong Wei Zi only swells without producing mucilage).

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Chong Wei Zi and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》, The Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica)

Original: 主明目，益精，除水气。久服轻身。
Translation: It governs brightening the eyes, supplementing essence, and eliminating water-Qi. Long-term use makes the body light.

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》, Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians)

Original: 疗血逆，大热头痛心烦。
Translation: It treats Blood counterflow, severe Heat with headache and vexation of the Heart.

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Compendium of Materia Medica, Li Shizhen)

Original: 治风解热，顺气活血，养肝益心，安魂定魄，调女人经脉，崩中带下，产后胎前诸疾。
Translation: It treats Wind, resolves Heat, smooths Qi and invigorates Blood, nourishes the Liver and benefits the Heart, calms the ethereal and corporeal souls, regulates women's menstruation, and treats uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge, and all disorders before and after childbirth.

Ben Cao Jing Shu (《本草经疏》, Commentary on the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing)

Original: 茺蔚子，为妇人胎产调经之要药。此药补而能行，辛散而兼润者也。
Translation: Chong Wei Zi is an essential herb for women's pregnancy, childbirth, and menstrual regulation. This herb supplements yet also moves; it disperses with its acrid quality while also moistening.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Chong Wei Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Chong Wei Zi was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, where it was listed as a top-grade (上品) herb. The name 茺蔚 (Chong Wei) has an interesting etymology: Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu explained that the plant grows densely and luxuriantly (充盛密蔚), hence the name. However, the Er Ya Yi Shu offers an alternative interpretation, noting the plant has a pungent, somewhat rank odor, linking the name to 'foul-smelling' (臭秽). The plant appears in classical Chinese literature: it is referenced in the Book of Songs (《诗经》) under the character 蓷 (tuī). Interestingly, it was said that the sage Zengzi was moved to feeling upon seeing this plant, due to its association with motherhood.

In ancient times, the fruit (子) was the primary medicinal part. Li Shizhen noted that the white-flowered variety enters the Qi aspect while the purple-flowered variety enters the Blood aspect. He personally combined Chong Wei Zi with Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) and Xiang Fu to treat many patients with great success. Li Dongyuan (Li Gao) of the Jin dynasty established the important contraindication of dilated pupils. The whole plant (Yi Mu Cao) gained prominence later as a gynecological herb. Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang dynasty famously used Motherwort processed into an ash-based cosmetic for facial beautification, reflecting the cultural significance of this plant beyond medicine.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Chong Wei Zi

1

Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology review of Leonurus japonicus (2014)

Shang X, Pan H, Wang X, He H, Li M. Leonurus japonicus Houtt.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;152(1):14-32.

A comprehensive review covering the traditional uses, chemical composition, and biological activities of Leonurus japonicus. The study found approximately 140 chemical compounds isolated from the plant, with major components being alkaloids, diterpenes, and flavones. Pharmacological studies confirmed marked bioactivities especially on the uterus and as a cardioprotective agent, supporting its traditional gynecological applications.

PubMed
2

New lignans from the fruits of Leonurus japonicus and their hepatoprotective activities (2021)

Authors not fully listed in search result. Published 2021.

Twelve tetrahydrofuran lignans were isolated from Chong Wei Zi (L. japonicus fruits), including six previously undiscovered compounds. Several of these lignans significantly increased survival rates of liver cells injured by acetaminophen in laboratory tests, supporting the traditional TCM use of Chong Wei Zi for liver-related conditions.

PubMed
3

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from different parts of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (2013)

Li Y et al. Molecules. 2013;18(1):963. Published January 14, 2013.

This study investigated the essential oils from both the herb (Yi Mu Cao) and fruit (Chong Wei Zi) of L. japonicus using GC-MS analysis. Results showed large variations in chemical composition and antibacterial activity between the two parts. The fruit oil was mainly composed of bornyl acetate, while the herb oil consisted mainly of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes and showed antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive bacteria.

PubMed
4

HPLC analysis of leonurine content in Leonurus japonicus and L. cardiaca (2013)

Kuchta K, Ortwein J, Rauwald HW. Leonurus japonicus, Leonurus cardiaca, Leonotis leonurus: a novel HPLC study on the occurrence and content of the pharmacologically active guanidino derivative leonurine. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2013;82:43-49.

This study found that, surprisingly, the seeds/fruits of L. japonicus did not contain detectable leonurine, the alkaloid commonly considered the main active compound of Motherwort herb. This demonstrates important chemical differences between the aerial parts (Yi Mu Cao) and the fruits (Chong Wei Zi), suggesting different active constituents are responsible for the fruits' therapeutic effects.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.