What patterns does Ting Li Zi address?

Ting Li Zi addresses these TCM patterns of disharmony: Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, Rebellious Lung Qi, Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing.

What conditions is Ting Li Zi used for?

Ting Li Zi is commonly used for: Pleural Effusion, Congestive Heart Failure, Asthma, Viral Pneumonia, Edema, Ascites, Chronic Bronchitis, Lung Abscess. A TCM practitioner would consider this herb when these conditions arise from the specific patterns it addresses.

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

Ting Li Zi

Q: What are the TCM actions of Ting Li Zi?

The TCM actions of Ting Li Zi include: Drains the Lungs and calms wheezing, Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema, Descends Qi and Transforms Phlegm.

Lepidium seed / Descurainia seed · 葶苈子

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl / Lepidium apetalum Willd. · Descurainiae Semen / Lepidii Semen

Also known as: Tinglizi, Pepperweed seed, Tansy mustard seed, Flixweed seed, 南葶苈子 (Nán Tíng Lì Zǐ, Southern Tinglizi, from Descurainia sophia), 北葶苈子 (Běi Tíng Lì Zǐ, Northern Tinglizi, from Lepidium apetalum), 甜葶苈 (Tián Tíng Lì, Sweet Tinglizi), 苦葶苈 (Kǔ Tíng Lì, Bitter Tinglizi), 大适 (Dà Shì), 大室 (Dà Shì), 丁历 (Dīng Lì)

Ting Li Zi (Lepidium seed / Descurainia seed) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Tíng Lì Zǐ is a powerful seed used in Chinese medicine to relieve severe chest congestion, wheezing, and fluid retention. It works by draining excess fluid and phlegm from the lungs, making breathing easier. It is typically reserved for acute, excess conditions and is not suitable for those with general weakness or deficiency.

Category Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing (止咳平喘药) Phlegm-transforming herbs (化痰药)

Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Fluid Retention and Edema Heart health Lung congestion relief

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

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

Channels entered

Lungs, Urinary Bladder

Parts used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

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 Ting Li Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Ting Li Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Fluid Retention and Edema Heart health Lung congestion relief

TCM Actions

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

Drains the Lungs and calms wheezing Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema Descends Qi and Transforms Phlegm

How these actions work

'Drains the Lungs and calms wheezing' means Tíng Lì Zǐ powerfully purges excess fullness from the Lungs. When thick phlegm or fluid accumulates in the chest, blocking the Lung's ability to descend Qi properly, the person may experience severe wheezing, a heavy sensation of chest fullness, and an inability to lie flat. Tíng Lì Zǐ's bitter, pungent, and very cold nature allows it to break through this congestion and force the blocked Qi downward, relieving the wheezing and shortness of breath. This is its primary and most celebrated action, used in urgent situations where phlegm and fluid have overwhelmed the Lungs.

'Promotes urination and reduces edema' reflects a key principle in TCM: the Lungs are the "upper source of water," meaning they regulate the downward flow of fluids to the Kidneys and Bladder. When the Lungs are blocked, fluid metabolism stalls, leading to water retention, facial puffiness, abdominal swelling, or reduced urination. Tíng Lì Zǐ clears the Lung congestion that is the root cause of this fluid stagnation, thereby restoring normal water circulation and relieving edema. It is particularly suited for edema and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen (pleural effusion, ascites) that arise from excess conditions with Heat.

'Descends Qi and expels Phlegm' describes how Tíng Lì Zǐ's strong downward-draining movement carries turbid phlegm and pathological fluid out of the Lungs. This makes it especially useful when copious, thick phlegm fills the airways, causing loud wheezing and a rattling sound in the throat. Unlike milder phlegm-transforming herbs, Tíng Lì Zǐ works forcefully to expel stubborn phlegm. Because of this vigorous draining nature, it is classified as a "harsh" herb and is generally reserved for excess (shi) conditions rather than deficient patients.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Ting Li Zi addresses this pattern

When Phlegm-Fluids (tán yǐn) accumulate above the diaphragm and obstruct the Lungs, the Lung's descending function fails, causing severe wheezing, chest fullness, and an inability to lie flat. Tíng Lì Zǐ's bitter flavor and very cold temperature give it a powerful downward-draining force that directly purges phlegm and fluid from the Lung. Its pungent taste disperses the accumulated congestion, while its affinity for the Lung channel ensures it targets the site of pathology. This makes it the primary herb for acute, excess-type Phlegm-Fluid obstruction of the chest, where the priority is forceful expulsion of the pathological substance rather than gentle transformation.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Wheezing

Severe wheezing with inability to lie flat

Chest Stiffness

Chest fullness and distension

Productive Cough

Cough with copious phlegm

Exertional Dyspnea

Shortness of breath, worsened when lying down

Why Ting Li Zi addresses this pattern

In this pattern, Lung Qi fails to descend and rebels upward, often due to phlegm-heat or fluid congestion in the chest, producing paroxysmal coughing and wheezing. Tíng Lì Zǐ enters the Lung channel and forcefully redirects Qi downward. Its bitter taste descends and drains, while its very cold nature clears any accompanying heat. Among Qi-descending herbs for the Lung, Tíng Lì Zǐ is one of the most powerful, specifically suited for rebellious Lung Qi caused by excess congestion rather than deficiency.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Paroxysmal coughing with rattling phlegm sounds

Wheezing

Audible wheezing

Exertional Dyspnea

Labored breathing with upward-rushing Qi sensation

Why Ting Li Zi addresses this pattern

While Tíng Lì Zǐ is primarily a Lung-draining herb, it addresses the water metabolism aspect of this pattern through the Lung-Bladder axis. TCM holds that the Lungs are the "upper source of water" and must regulate the downward movement of fluids to the Bladder. When water overflows and causes edema (face, limbs, abdomen), Tíng Lì Zǐ opens the Lung's water pathways and promotes urination through the Bladder channel. However, because its nature is bitterly cold and draining, in Kidney Yang Deficiency patterns it is always combined with warm, tonifying herbs (like Fù Zǐ or Huáng Qí) to prevent further damage to Yang. It serves as the tactical agent to move water, while the warming herbs address the root deficiency.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Edema

Generalized or facial edema

Oliguria

Scanty urination

Abdominal Distention

Abdominal swelling from fluid accumulation

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands heart failure primarily through the concept of impaired water metabolism involving multiple organ systems. When the Heart's pumping function weakens (Heart Qi or Yang Deficiency), fluids are no longer properly circulated. The Lungs, as the "upper source of water," become congested with retained fluid, producing breathlessness that worsens when lying down. Simultaneously, the Kidneys and Spleen fail to transform and transport water, leading to systemic edema. The pattern often involves Phlegm-Fluid (tán yǐn) accumulating above the diaphragm and water overflowing throughout the body.

Why Ting Li Zi Helps

Tíng Lì Zǐ directly addresses the pulmonary congestion that is the most acute and dangerous aspect of heart failure. By powerfully draining excess fluid from the Lungs and promoting urination through the Bladder channel, it relieves the chest fullness, wheezing, and inability to lie flat that characterize cardiac-related pulmonary edema. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Tíng Lì Zǐ contains cardiac glycosides (such as helveticoside) that strengthen the heart's pumping action without increasing its oxygen demand, echoing its traditional use for what was historically described as pulmonary heart disease (肺源性心脏病). It is a key ingredient in the modern patent medicine Qílì Qiángxīn Jiāonáng (芪苈强心胶囊) used for heart failure.

Arises from: Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm

TCM Interpretation

Pleural effusion is understood in TCM as a form of retained Fluid (yǐn) in the chest and hypochondrium (called xuán yǐn, or "suspended fluid"). This occurs when the Lung's ability to regulate water distribution breaks down. The Lungs can no longer disperse and descend fluids properly, and pathological fluid collects between the lung membranes. Contributing factors often include Heat, Damp-Heat, or prior external pathogens that have disrupted normal fluid metabolism. The accumulated fluid compresses the Lung, further impairing its function and creating a vicious cycle of worsening breathlessness and chest pain.

Why Ting Li Zi Helps

Tíng Lì Zǐ is considered one of the most effective single herbs for draining fluid from the chest cavity. Its very cold, bitter, and pungent nature acts like an "opener" that unblocks the Lung's water pathways and drives accumulated fluid downward toward the Bladder for excretion. Clinical reports using Tíng Lì Dà Zǎo Xiè Fèi Tāng (the classical two-herb formula with jujube dates) have shown significant reductions in pleural fluid, with effusion often beginning to resolve within one to three weeks.

Also commonly used for

Asthma

Excess-type with copious phlegm and inability to lie flat

Viral Pneumonia

With severe phlegm accumulation and wheezing

Edema

Facial and general edema from Lung or cardiac dysfunction

Ascites

Abdominal fluid accumulation from damp-heat or organ failure

Chronic Bronchitis

Acute exacerbation with yellow phlegm and chest distension

Lung Abscess

Classical indication from the Jin Gui Yao Lue

Herb Properties

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

Temperature

Cold

Taste

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

Channels Entered

Lungs Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

3–10g

Maximum dosage

Up to 10g in decoction, or 3–6g when taken as ground powder. Higher doses increase risk of gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) due to cardiac glycoside content. Historically, some formulas used larger quantities, but modern practice recommends staying within the standard range.

Dosage notes

Use lower doses (3–6g) for milder conditions or when combining with other strongly draining herbs. Use higher doses (6–10g) for severe phlegm congestion of the Lungs with inability to lie flat, or significant edema. When taken as ground powder rather than decoction, use 3–6g per day divided into doses, as the concentrated form is more potent. For deficiency-complicated cases where some excess is present, use honey-processed Ting Li Zi (蜜葶苈子) to moderate the draining effect, and pair with tonifying herbs such as Da Zao (jujube) to protect the Stomach and Spleen. Discontinue once the excess condition (phlegm, fluid retention) has resolved. Prolonged use depletes Qi and harms the body.

Preparation

Wrap in cloth for decoction (包煎), as directed by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The seeds are very small and become extremely mucilaginous when wet, which can make the decoction difficult to strain and can coat other herbs, interfering with proper extraction. Do not wash with water before decocting, as the seeds become sticky and clump together.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

Clean seeds are dry-fried over gentle heat until they slightly swell and pop, turning brownish-yellow, with a fragrant aroma emerging. Remove and cool.

How it changes properties

Stir-frying moderates the herb's harsh, cold, and draining nature, reducing its potential to cause gastrointestinal irritation (nausea, diarrhea). The overall thermal nature remains cold but is less extreme. Toxicity is reduced. The phlegm-expelling action is retained while the risk of injuring Qi is lessened.

When to use this form

Preferred for treating phlegm-fluid cough and wheezing where the practitioner wants to drain phlegm from the Lungs but with reduced risk of damaging the Spleen and Stomach. This is the most commonly prescribed form in everyday clinical use.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Ting Li Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Da Zao Tíng Lì Zǐ 9-15g : Dà Zǎo 12 pieces (about 30g)

Tíng Lì Zǐ powerfully drains the Lungs and expels fluid, but its harsh nature can injure the Stomach and Spleen Qi. Dà Zǎo (jujube date), being sweet and warm, protects the middle burner and cushions Tíng Lì Zǐ's aggressive action. Together they achieve effective Lung drainage while preventing damage to digestion, a classic example of combining a strong purgative herb with a protective, harmonizing one.

When to use: Severe phlegm or fluid congestion in the Lungs with wheezing, inability to lie flat, facial puffiness, and scanty urine. The foundational pair of Tíng Lì Dà Zǎo Xiè Fèi Tāng from the Jin Gui Yao Lue.

Fang Ji 1:1

Tíng Lì Zǐ drains the Lungs and opens the upper water pathway, while Fáng Jǐ promotes urination and clears Damp-Heat from the lower body. Together they address edema from both the top (Lung) and bottom (Bladder/Kidney) of the water metabolism system, providing a comprehensive diuretic effect that also clears Heat.

When to use: Lung-related edema with Heat signs, where both chest congestion and lower body swelling need to be addressed. Used together in Jǐ Jiāo Lì Huáng Wán.

Da Huang 1:1

Tíng Lì Zǐ drains obstructed Qi from the upper burner (Lungs) while Dà Huáng purges stagnation from the middle and lower burners (Stomach and Intestines). Classical texts compare them directly: Tíng Lì Zǐ opens Qi blockage, Dà Huáng opens Blood and bowel blockage. Together they create a powerful top-to-bottom drainage effect for severe excess conditions.

When to use: Severe fullness and distension affecting both chest and abdomen, with constipation, fluid accumulation, and difficulty breathing. Found together in Jǐ Jiāo Lì Huáng Wán and Dà Xiàn Xiōng Wán.

Sang Bai Pi 1:1

Both herbs drain the Lungs and reduce edema, but they complement each other: Tíng Lì Zǐ provides forceful expulsion of phlegm and water from the Lungs, while Sāng Bái Pí more gently clears Lung Heat and fire. Together they achieve a stronger combined Lung-draining and wheezing-calming effect than either alone.

When to use: Lung Heat with wheezing, yellow phlegm, and water retention. They are often used together in formula modifications when both Heat and fluid need to be cleared from the Lungs.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Ting Li Zi in a prominent role

Ting Li Da Zao Xie Fei Tang 葶苈大枣泻肺汤 King

This is the definitive formula for Tíng Lì Zǐ, containing only two ingredients (Tíng Lì Zǐ and Dà Zǎo). From Zhang Zhongjing's Jin Gui Yao Lue, it showcases Tíng Lì Zǐ's core action of draining the Lungs at full strength. The formula treats lung abscess with severe wheezing and inability to lie flat, and is now widely used for heart failure, pleural effusion, and pulmonary edema.

Ji Jiao Li Huang Wan 己椒苈黄丸 Deputy

Also from the Jin Gui Yao Lue, this pill formula (Fáng Jǐ, Jiāo Mù, Tíng Lì Zǐ, Dà Huáng) treats abdominal fluid accumulation (ascites) from Damp-Heat. Tíng Lì Zǐ serves as Deputy, opening the Lung water pathway from above while the other ingredients drain from below, demonstrating its water-promoting action in a multi-herb context.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Ting Li Zi vs Sang Bai Pi

Both drain the Lungs, calm wheezing, and reduce edema. However, Sāng Bái Pí is sweet and cold with a milder action, better suited for clearing Lung Heat and fire with yellow phlegm and chronic cough. Tíng Lì Zǐ is pungent, bitter, and extremely cold, with a much more forceful draining action. It is preferred for acute, severe Lung congestion with copious phlegm or fluid where the patient cannot lie flat. Tíng Lì Zǐ also has stronger diuretic effects and can treat ascites and pleural effusion, which Sāng Bái Pí generally cannot address alone.

Ting Li Zi vs Zi Su Zi

Both descend Lung Qi and calm wheezing. Sū Zǐ (Perilla seed) is warm and pungent, better suited for cold-type phlegm with wheezing and also moistens the intestines. Tíng Lì Zǐ is extremely cold and much more drastic in action, specifically targeting excess Heat-type or fluid-type Lung congestion. For phlegm-cold wheezing, Sū Zǐ is preferred; for phlegm-heat or water-fluid congestion with severe dyspnea, Tíng Lì Zǐ is the stronger choice.

Ting Li Zi vs Xing Ren

Both descend Lung Qi and relieve cough and wheezing. Xìng Rén (Apricot seed) is slightly warm with a gentler, moistening action suitable for dry cough or mild wheezing from various causes. Tíng Lì Zǐ is cold and harshly draining, used only when there is severe excess congestion with copious phlegm or fluid in the Lungs. They are often combined: Xìng Rén provides gentle downward direction while Tíng Lì Zǐ provides the force to break through heavy obstruction.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Ting Li Zi

The main distinction to be aware of is between the two official source species themselves: North Ting Li Zi (from Lepidium apetalum, pepperweed) and South Ting Li Zi (from Descurainia sophia, flixweed). While both are accepted in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, they differ in potency and toxicity. The South variety is considered more draining and more toxic; the North variety has stronger mucilage and milder action. Historically, seeds of Rorippa indica (Indian yellowcress, known as han cai, 蔊菜) have been used as Ting Li Zi in parts of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, as noted in the Ben Cao Tu Jing and Ben Cao Gang Mu. These seeds are spherical and yellowish-brown, distinguishable from the flat-oval shape of authentic Ting Li Zi. The Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun also warns against confusing Ting Li Zi with 'Chi Xu Zi' (赤须子), which looks very similar but tastes slightly sweet-bitter rather than acrid-bitter. Authentic Ting Li Zi has a distinctly acrid bitterness that is felt immediately.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ting Li Zi

Slightly toxic

Ting Li Zi has slight toxicity, with the South variety (from Descurainia sophia) considered more toxic than the North variety (from Lepidium apetalum). Both contain cardiac glycosides (including helveticoside and evomonoside), which are the basis for both the herb's cardiotonic therapeutic effect and its potential toxicity. Symptoms of overconsumption include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. At very high doses, the cardiac glycoside content could theoretically affect heart rhythm, though the concentrations in the seeds are relatively low compared to classic digitalis sources. Proper processing greatly reduces toxicity. The standard method is dry-frying (炒) over low heat until the seeds puff slightly and release an aromatic fragrance. Honey-processing (蜜炙) is another method that further moderates the herb's harsh draining action. The classical Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun recommends toasting the seeds with glutinous rice until the rice is cooked, then discarding the rice. At standard clinical dosages (3-10g) with proper processing, the herb has a well-established safety record spanning over 2,000 years of use.

Contraindications

Situations where Ting Li Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Lung deficiency cough and wheezing (without excess phlegm or fluid retention). Ting Li Zi is a strongly draining herb designed to purge excess from the Lungs. Using it when the Lungs are weak and deficient can further deplete Lung Qi, worsening the condition.

Avoid

Spleen deficiency with edema or abdominal distension. When swelling results from the Spleen's inability to manage water (rather than from excess Heat or fluid accumulation), Ting Li Zi's harsh draining action can further injure the Spleen and worsen the underlying weakness.

Avoid

Kidney deficiency edema or urinary difficulty due to Bladder Qi deficiency. When fluid retention stems from insufficient Qi to drive water metabolism, Ting Li Zi is inappropriate because it drains rather than tonifies.

Caution

Cold-type fluid retention (yin edema) and constitutionally weak patients. The Ben Cao Bian Du states that cold fluid retention and weak constitutions are contraindicated, as the herb's extremely cold and draining nature will further damage Yang Qi.

Caution

True Yin deficiency. The Ben Cao Jing Shu warns that this herb is 'unfavorable for those with Spleen-Stomach weakness or true Yin insufficiency,' as its harsh draining nature can further deplete body fluids.

Caution

Prolonged use. The Bie Lu (Supplementary Records) warns that 'long-term use causes deficiency.' This herb should be discontinued once the excess condition (fluid, phlegm) has resolved, not used as a maintenance treatment.

Classical Incompatibilities

Traditional Chinese pharmacological incompatibilities — herbs or substances to avoid combining with Ting Li Zi

Ting Li Zi does not appear on the classical Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) or Nineteen Mutual Fears (十九畏) lists. However, the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu (by Tao Hongjing) notes: Yu Pi (榆皮, elm bark) serves as its envoy herb (使). It works better with wine (得酒良). It is incompatible with (恶) Jiang Can (僵蚕, silkworm) and Shi Long Rui (石龙芮, buttercup). These are traditional cautions from the 'seven relations' (七情) system rather than formal entries on the Eighteen Incompatibilities or Nineteen Fears lists.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Ting Li Zi's strongly draining and descending action (泻肺降气, 行水消肿) poses a theoretical risk to pregnancy. Its harsh purgative effect on fluids could disrupt the stability of the fetal environment. Additionally, the cardiac glycoside content (helveticoside, evomonoside), while present in small amounts, represents a class of compounds that should be used cautiously in pregnant women. It should only be used during pregnancy under close practitioner supervision when the clinical need is clear and no safer alternatives exist.

Breastfeeding

No specific safety data exists for use during breastfeeding. Given its content of cardiac glycosides and its strongly draining, cold properties, caution is advisable. The cardiac glycosides could theoretically transfer into breast milk in small amounts. The herb's harsh purgative action on fluids might also affect milk production. Use only when clearly needed, under practitioner guidance, and monitor the nursing infant for any signs of digestive upset.

Children

Reduce dosage proportionally based on age and body weight. Ting Li Zi's strongly draining and cold nature makes it particularly harsh for children's immature digestive systems. It should only be used in children for clear excess patterns (e.g., severe phlegm congestion with wheezing) and for short durations. The honey-processed form (蜜葶苈) is preferred in pediatric use as it moderates the harshness. Typical pediatric doses range from 1 to 3g for young children, adjusted by the practitioner based on the child's constitution and condition severity.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Ting Li Zi

Cardiac glycoside medications (digoxin, digitoxin): Ting Li Zi contains cardiac glycosides (helveticoside, evomonoside). Concurrent use with pharmaceutical cardiac glycosides could produce additive effects, increasing the risk of toxicity including cardiac arrhythmias. Avoid concurrent use or use only under close medical supervision with cardiac monitoring.

Diuretic medications: Ting Li Zi has significant diuretic properties. Concurrent use with pharmaceutical diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone) may lead to excessive fluid and electrolyte loss, particularly potassium depletion, which in turn increases sensitivity to cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs: Some flavonoid components (quercetin, kaempferol) identified in Ting Li Zi have potential antiplatelet activity. While clinically significant interactions have not been well documented, caution is advisable when combining with warfarin or other anticoagulants.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ting Li Zi

Avoid cold, raw foods while taking Ting Li Zi, as its already extremely cold nature can further burden the Spleen and Stomach. Warm, easily digestible foods such as congee, cooked vegetables, and soups are recommended to support digestion during treatment. Because this herb strongly drains fluids, adequate hydration is important. Avoid excessively salty foods, which promote fluid retention and may work against the herb's diuretic effect.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ting Li Zi source plant

Ting Li Zi comes from the seeds of two plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). South Ting Li Zi (南葶苈子) is from flixweed (Descurainia sophia), an annual or biennial herb growing 30–80 cm tall with an erect, branching stem covered in fine star-shaped hairs. Its leaves are finely divided two to three times into narrow, feathery segments, giving the plant a fern-like appearance. Small yellow flowers appear in terminal clusters (racemes) from April to June, followed by long, slender seed pods (siliques) containing tiny reddish-brown seeds.

North Ting Li Zi (北葶苈子) is from pepperweed (Lepidium apetalum), a smaller annual herb typically 10–30 cm tall with an erect stem that may branch at the top. Its lower leaves are lobed or toothed while upper leaves are narrower. Its flowers are tiny and often lack visible petals. Both plants are common weeds found along roadsides, field edges, and wheat fields across temperate regions of Asia and Europe.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Summer (May to August), when the seed pods have fully matured. The entire plant is cut, sun-dried, and the seeds are threshed out and cleaned of impurities.

Primary growing regions

North Ting Li Zi (Bei Ting Li Zi, from Lepidium apetalum): primarily produced in Hebei, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin provinces in northern China. South Ting Li Zi (Nan Ting Li Zi, from Descurainia sophia): primarily produced in Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang provinces. Both source plants are common weeds and grow widely, but the above regions are recognized as the primary production areas. There is no strongly emphasized single dao di (terroir) region. Shandong is considered an important producing area for the South variety.

Quality indicators

North Ting Li Zi (Bei Ting Li Zi): Seeds should be flat-oval, 1 to 1.5 mm long, brownish or reddish-brown with a slight sheen and two visible longitudinal grooves. The taste should be slightly bitter and acrid, and when soaked in water, the seeds produce a thick mucilaginous coating that exceeds half the seed width, a key quality indicator. South Ting Li Zi (Nan Ting Li Zi): Seeds should be oblong and slightly flattened, about 1 mm long, brownish-yellow with fine net-like surface patterns and two longitudinal grooves. The taste is slightly acrid and bitter, with less mucilage than the North variety. For both types: good quality seeds are even in size, plump, yellowish-brown in color, and free of impurities. Avoid seeds that are shriveled, dark-colored, or mixed with excessive plant debris.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Ting Li Zi and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Chinese: 味辛，寒。主症瘕积聚结气，饮食寒热，破坚逐邪，通利水道。

English: Acrid in flavor, cold in nature. It treats masses, accumulations, and knotted Qi; dietary [disorders with] cold and heat; breaks up hardness and expels pathogenic factors; and frees the water passages.

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》)

Chinese: 苦，大寒，无毒。下膀胱水，伏留热气，皮间邪水上出，面目浮肿，身暴中风热痱痒，利小腹。

English: Bitter, greatly cold, non-toxic. It drains Bladder water, subdues lurking retained Heat, brings out pathogenic water lodged between the skin, [treats] facial and eye puffiness, sudden wind-heat rashes with itching, and benefits the lower abdomen.

Yao Xing Lun (《药性论》)

Chinese: 利小便，抽肺气上喘息急，止嗽。

English: Promotes urination, draws down Lung Qi [to relieve] urgent panting and wheezing, and stops coughing.

Kai Bao Ben Cao (《开宝本草》)

Chinese: 疗肺壅上气咳嗽，定喘促，除胸中痰饮。

English: Treats Lung congestion with rebellious Qi and coughing, calms urgent wheezing, and eliminates phlegm-fluid from the chest.

Li Gao (李杲, Jin Dynasty physician)

Chinese: 葶苈大降气……盖葶苈之苦寒，气味俱厚，不减大黄，又性过于诸药，以泄阳分肺中之闭。

English: Ting Li Zi greatly descends Qi… Its bitter-cold nature, with both flavor and Qi being thick and heavy, is no less [powerful] than Da Huang (rhubarb). Its nature surpasses other herbs in draining obstructions from the Yang aspect of the Lungs.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Ting Li Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Ting Li Zi has one of the longer documented histories among Chinese herbs. It was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (compiled during the Qin-Han period, roughly 2,000 years ago), where it was classified as a "lower-grade" (下品) herb, indicating its potent, draining nature meant for short-term therapeutic use rather than long-term health cultivation. The classical texts recognized two varieties: a bitter type (苦葶苈) and a sweet type (甜葶苈). Classical physicians debated which was superior. Li Shizhen noted in the Ben Cao Gang Mu that the sweet variety drains more gently without harming the Stomach, while the bitter variety drains more forcefully and is more likely to injure the Stomach, which is why Zhang Zhongjing paired it with Da Zao (jujube dates) as a buffer.

Zhang Zhongjing (Han Dynasty) famously used this herb in the Ting Li Da Zao Xie Fei Tang (Lepidium and Jujube Lung-Draining Decoction) from the Jin Gui Yao Lue to treat Lung abscess (肺痈) with inability to lie flat due to wheezing. This simple two-herb formula remains a cornerstone prescription for acute respiratory distress with excess fluid in the Lungs. He also included it in the Ji Jiao Li Huang Wan (from the Jin Gui Yao Lue) and the Da Xian Xiong Wan (from the Shang Han Lun). Li Gao (Jin Dynasty) compared its power to Da Huang (rhubarb), calling it a herb that drains Qi obstructions in the Lungs just as Da Huang drains Blood obstructions. In modern times, it has gained renewed attention for treating pulmonary heart disease and congestive heart failure, and it is a key ingredient in the modern patent medicine Qili Qiangxin Capsule (芪苈强心胶囊).

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Ting Li Zi

Comprehensive Review: Botany, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Descurainia sophia and Lepidium apetalum (2025)

Xu Z, Zhang S, Zhang C, Xing R, Xing H, Han Q. Fitoterapia, 2025.

A comprehensive review covering both source plants of Ting Li Zi. The authors summarized that over 200 chemical compounds have been identified, including glucosinolates, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, and cardiac glycosides. Pharmacological studies confirmed traditional uses, particularly for pulmonary diseases and heart problems caused by pulmonary disease. The review also noted that both plant sources share similar compound profiles, supporting their use as the same traditional medicine.

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Cytotoxic and Anti-inflammatory Constituents from Seeds of Descurainia sophia (2013)

Cho HJ, Shim SY, Kim HJ, et al. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 2013, 36(5): 536-541.

Researchers isolated 14 compounds from Descurainia sophia seeds, including a cardenolide glycoside that showed potent cytotoxicity against seven human cancer cell lines (IC50 values of 0.034 to 0.596 micromolar). Several compounds also showed anti-inflammatory activity in macrophage assays. This study helps explain both the traditional cardiotonic uses and potential anticancer properties of Ting Li Zi.

PubMed

Evomonoside: The Cytotoxic Cardiac Glycoside from Lepidium apetalum (1995)

Hyun JW, Shin JE, Lim KH, et al. Planta Medica, 1995, 61(3): 294-295.

This study isolated and identified evomonoside, a cardiac glycoside from the North variety of Ting Li Zi (Lepidium apetalum seeds). The compound demonstrated cytotoxic activity, providing a molecular basis for the herb's traditional use as a cardiotonic agent in heart failure and its classification as slightly toxic.

PubMed

Astragaloside IV Promotes Pharmacological Effect of Descurainia sophia Seeds on Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyopathy in Rats (2022)

Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022, 13: 939483.

This preclinical study investigated the combination of Descurainia sophia seeds (Ting Li Zi) with Astragalus mongholicus (Huang Qi) in a rat model of cardiomyopathy. The combination showed enhanced cardioprotective effects compared to either herb alone. Proteomics analysis revealed that the combination modulated myosin motor proteins, providing a molecular mechanism for the classical pairing of these two herbs in heart failure treatment.

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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.