Fruits and seedsBlood-activatingLeonuri Fructus

Chong Wei Zi (Common Motherwort Fruit)

A practical guide to Chong Wei Zi: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 28, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Leonuri Fructus
Chinese Name & Pinyin	茺蔚子 · Chong Wei Zi
Medicinal Part	Fruits and seeds
The item	Chong Wei Zi is the dried ripe fruit of motherwort. Jue Ming Zi (cassia seed) and other labiate seeds are not this drug.
Nature and channels	Cold, acrid and bitter. Enters the Liver and Pericardium. Cold acrid-bitter clears the liver, brightens the eyes, invigorates blood, and regulates menstruation.
Pharmacopoeia line	Clears the liver and brightens the eyes; invigorates blood and regulates menstruation. Used for liver-heat eye discomfort and menstrual stasis.
Pattern cues	Red swollen eyes. Clouded vision. Dry eyes with dizziness. Irregular periods. Blocked periods. Cramps. Dark clotted flow.
In this article	Chong Wei Zi versus Jue Ming Zi. Clearing liver heat with blood moving versus clearing liver heat with bowel moistening. Why heavy flow and pregnancy are absolute no-nos. Home tea.

What Is Chong Wei Zi?

Chong Wei Zi (茺蔚子; Chōng Wèi Zǐ; Latin: Leonuri Fructus; English: motherwort fruit) is the dried ripe fruit of motherwort — the small gray-brown three-angled nutlet from the pale-purple roadside flowers, first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, gathered in autumn when the seed heads dry. It is cold, acrid and bitter, enters the Liver and Pericardium channels, and its core actions are to clear the liver and brighten the eyes, and to invigorate blood and regulate menstruation. It is the seed that cools tired eyes and gently frees stuck menstrual blood. The usual amount is 5–10 g in a decoction. It is hard and crisp — decoct directly with the other herbs, or steep as tea; no first or last step. It is not a food seed to snack on.

It is not Jue Ming Zi. Cassia seed is cold, sweet, bitter and salty — it clears the liver and moistens the bowels, better for heat-typed constipation; this motherwort fruit is cold, acrid and bitter — it clears the liver and also invigorates blood, better for eye heat with menstrual stasis. It is not a gentle cooling seed; it is a moving one. In cold-weak spleen-stomach — loose stools, cold belly — or with very heavy menstrual flow, using it on your own is a poor match. Pregnancy is an absolute no; sudden blurred vision or eye swelling needs a clinic first. Do not take it yourself for a long time.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Red swollen eyes, clouded vision, film over the eye, dry eyes with dizziness and a heavy head — liver heat rising to the eyes
Irregular menstruation, blocked periods, cramps, dark clotted flow — liver constraint and blood stasis
Very heavy menstrual flow, pregnancy, or a dilated pupil (as the classics warn) — seek care / skip it

Cold, acrid, and bitter, it is not a daily "eye-cooling seed tea" to keep drinking. Moving when there is no stasis, or in a cold body, drains the upright qi instead of helping.

When long hours on screens and late nights drive liver heat up to the eyes, and held emotions knot the blood — the eyes sting and blur, the periods come dark and painful — the body needs a cool clear and a gentle free. Chong Wei Zi is cold, acrid, and bitter. It clears the liver heat and moves the blood, which is why it appears in Chong Wei Zi San (Motherwort Fruit Powder)–type formulas. It frees more than it holds. In cold-weak spleen-stomach, or with heavy flow, more makes it worse.

Chong Wei Zi is not a catch-all eye or period seed. In cold-weak spleen-stomach, in pregnancy, with very heavy menstrual flow, or without stasis, using it alone is a poor match. Whether it belongs in a formula, and at what dose, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Chong Wei Zi: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Leonuri Fructus

Botanical Origin

The dried mature fruit of Leonurus japonicas Houtt. (Lamiaceae).

Production Regions

Produced in areas all around China.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is large and full.

Macroscopic Features

Prism-shaped, 2~3mm long, 1.5mm wide. Externally grayish-brown, with deep-colored spots. One end is slightly wide, flat; other end gradually narrows to blunt tip. Fruit skin is thin; cotyledons are off-white and oily. faint odor; bitter taste.

Main Regions and Quality Identification

Classic texts and trade experience favor motherwort from several provinces, but quality still depends on variety, harvest time, processing, and storage. Good raw Chong Wei Zi is three-angled, 2–3 mm long, gray-brown to gray-black, with broad dark lengthwise lines, one end flat and wide, the other narrow and pointed, hard and crisp, with a white kernel at the break, a faint smell, slightly bitter. The stir-fried form is deep brown with a toasted smell. The common look-alikes are fruits of other labiate plants — uneven size, no clear three-angled shape, different smell — check carefully.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid, Bitter; Slightly coldPericardiumLiver

1. Records in Classic Materia Medica

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: lists it in the upper class — "is used for brightening the eyes, benefiting the essence, and removing water."
Ming Yi Bie Lu: adds "for blood counterflow, great heat, headache, and restlessness."
Ben Cao Gang Mu: notes it "is used for wind, heat, moving qi and blood, nourishing the liver, brightening the eyes."
De Pei Ben Cao: records it "invigorates blood, removes wind, brightens the eyes, and clears damp-heat."

2. How Views of Its Nature Changed

Some early records grouped it with "benefiting the essence," hinting at a supplementing side; doctors from the Ming-Qing era stressed its blood-breaking, draining nature — not for plain deficiency; still others — like Ben Cao Jing Shu — warned "dilated pupils are a contraindication." The refining across the ages shows it is not a universal herb — strict pattern diagnosis is required.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Invigorates blood and regulates menstruation, clears liver and brightens the eyes.

1. Main Use 1: Clearing the Liver and Brightening the Eyes

(1) Traditional action: clearing liver heat so the eyes are bright. (2) Typical patterns: liver heat rising — red swollen eyes, film over the eye, clouded vision, dry eyes with dizziness and a heavy head — from long screen time and late nights. (3) Usual pairings: chrysanthemum and Jue Ming Zi (cassia seed) to strengthen the liver-heat clearing; with dry eyes and liver-kidney yin deficiency, gou qi berries and Nv Zhen Zi (privet fruit) to nourish and clear together. (4) Not for self-use: cold-weak spleen-stomach — loose stools, cold belly — the cold can deepen the cold; a dilated pupil is a classic contraindication.

2. Main Use 2: Invigorating Blood and Regulating Menstruation

(1) Traditional action: freeing qi-blood stasis in menstrual problems. (2) Typical patterns: irregular or blocked periods, cramps — from liver constraint and blood stasis — period belly pain, scanty slow flow, dark clotted blood. (3) Usual pairings: Dang Gui (angelica root) and Chuan Xiong (ligusticum) to strengthen the blood moving; with qi stagnation, Xiang Fu (nutgrass rhizome) and Wu Yao (lindera) to free the qi alongside. (4) Not for self-use: very heavy menstrual flow — the moving can worsen the bleeding; pregnancy is an absolute no.

3. A Classic Pairing

Chong Wei Zi pairs classically with chrysanthemum: the fruit clears liver heat and frees the menses; the flower scatters wind-heat and calms the liver for the eyes — together they strengthen the eye clearing and ease the blood, for liver-heat with stasis — red swollen eyes, period headaches. This pair belongs to a practitioner's pattern diagnosis — no casual self-pairing.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Constituents

Detected in the fruit are fatty acids — linoleic and linolenic acids in higher proportion — plus flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin, alkaloids including leonurine, and iridoids. In vitro, some flavonoids show antioxidant activity; in animals, extracts show a tendency to adjust blood pressure. No clear human clinical conclusion exists.

2. Current Research Directions

Current work centers on component separation and early activity screening — some components show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, and extracts appear to regulate isolated smooth muscle. Human verification of real clinical effect is still needed; no sufficient evidence supports use for any specific disease.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Lab results are not clinical efficacy — animal reactions do not copy human physiology.
Extracts are not decoction pieces — dose ratios and component proportions differ from the piece.
Doses and preparations vary between studies — high extract concentrations may not match piece doses.
One component does not define the whole herb — the fruit acts as a team of constituents.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Share

Both clear the liver and brighten the eyes — for red swollen eyes and clouded vision.
Both are used for liver-heat rising patterns — both lean to clearing.
Both appear in similar light-care tea settings — chosen by constitution.

2. Key Differences

Nature and flavor: Chong Wei Zi is cold, acrid and bitter, entering the Liver and Pericardium — clearing the liver with an acrid blood-moving side; Jue Ming Zi is cold, sweet, bitter and salty, entering the Liver and Large Intestine — more purely clearing, with a bowel-moistening side and no blood moving. Focus: Chong Wei Zi clears the liver and moves blood — for eye problems and liver-stasis menstrual problems; Jue Ming Zi clears the liver and moistens the bowels — for liver-heat constipation, with no effect on periods. Tendency: Chong Wei Zi's acrid nature frees the channels — leaning to scattering qi-blood stasis; Jue Ming Zi leans to clearing and descending — freeing through the liver clearing and the bowel moistening, no scattering or blood moving. Best fit: Chong Wei Zi for red swollen eyes with period cramps and scanty flow; Jue Ming Zi for dry eyes with bound stools, dry mouth, and bad breath. Who should avoid: Chong Wei Zi — very heavy flow and pregnancy are strict no-nos because of the blood moving; Jue Ming Zi — mainly cold-weak spleen-stomach, as the moistening can worsen diarrhea; pregnancy caution is about over-clearing rather than blood moving. Where you meet them: Chong Wei Zi in gynecologic period-regulating formulas; Jue Ming Zi in daily bowel-clearing, liver-fire teas and light constipation care.

3. One-Line Takeaway

In short, Chong Wei Zi clears the liver and moves blood for the periods; Jue Ming Zi clears the liver and moistens the bowels. Both can serve liver-heat eye problems — but they are not stand-ins for each other.

Classical Formulas Containing Chong Wei Zi

Classic Formula 1: Chong Wei Zi San

Role of this herb: in Chong Wei Zi San (Motherwort Fruit Powder), Chong Wei Zi is the monarch — clearing the liver and brightening the eyes — with chrysanthemum and Jue Ming Zi strengthening the clearing and Xia Ku Cao (selfheal) draining liver fire. The target is liver-heat eye discomfort; alone, the fruit cannot reach the full clearing force of the team. Traditional focus: liver-heat eye problems — red swollen eyes, film over the eye, clouded vision. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply by the formula's name to eye diseases.

Classic Formula 2: Tong Jing Wan

Role of this herb: in Tong Jing Wan (Menses-Freeing Pill), Chong Wei Zi is a minister beside Tao Ren (peach kernel) and Hong Hua (safflower) — strengthening the blood moving — with Xiang Fu and Wu Yao freeing the qi so qi and blood move together. The target is liver-stasis menstrual problems — blocked periods, cramps, irregular flow; alone, the fruit's moving power is not enough to also free the qi. Traditional focus: blood stasis with qi stagnation — blocked periods, violent cramps, dark clotted flow. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — other causes of menstrual problems must be ruled out; no self-taking.

Formula vs. Single Herb

A formula is a coordinated team — its effect is the sum of the pairings, and the same fruit shifts direction with different partners. A single herb cannot copy a full formula's effect; a herb that works in a formula does not automatically work the same way alone. Do not self-formulate from web articles, and do not use a single herb in place of a formula.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Tea

Example — Chong Wei Zi chrysanthemum tea: raw Chong Wei Zi 3 g, chrysanthemum 2 g, gou qi berries 2 g — rinse, steep in boiling water, cover 10 minutes, re-steep until faint. Fit: dry eyes and dizziness with a heavy head from long screen use — light liver-heat eye care. Not for: cold-weak spleen-stomach, very heavy menstrual flow, pregnancy. Frequency: 2–3 times a week, no long unbroken stretches. Chong Wei Zi is a medicinal piece — not ordinary food; keep the piece-versus-food difference in mind.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

The raw seed leans to clearing the liver and brightening the eyes — for eye care; the stir-fried seed is gentler in cold — better when blood moving is also wanted. At home, the seed is hard and crisp — no first or last step; decoct directly with the other herbs or steep as tea. Different forms cannot be converted directly — a tea dose is far smaller than a medicinal decoction dose; tea does not replace the decoction.

3. Dosage and How Long to Use

The classic range is 5–10 g in a medicinal decoction; tea amounts are 2–3 g, far smaller. No long continuous use — for eye care, no more than a week straight; for period care, practitioner-guided, no self-long-term use. Pregnant women and children use only under a practitioner.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Cold-weak spleen-stomach — loose stools, cold belly, cold hands and feet — the cold nature can deepen the cold; pregnancy — an absolute no, the blood moving can bring discomfort; children and the elderly — weaker metabolism, consult a practitioner first; liver or kidney impairment — the fruit is metabolized by the liver-kidney, no self-use; allergy to the fruit or to motherwort — avoid; people on anticoagulants or blood-pressure medicines — consult a doctor first.

2. Interactions and Diet Notes

The blood-moving action may interact with anticoagulants — raising bleeding risk; the potential blood-pressure effect may add to blood-pressure medicines — driving the pressure too low. No blanket "food clash" with ordinary foods is established, but herbs can interact with specific medicines — consult a doctor or pharmacist first. Some research suggests the fruit may affect drug metabolism — space the doses apart when combining.

3. Side Effects and Overuse

Overuse can bring stomach-gut discomfort — nausea, vomiting, belly pain, diarrhea — or dizziness and headache; some people react with rash, itching, or redness. The dose must be strictly controlled — never raise it on your own. Stop and seek care at once for marked discomfort, an allergic reaction, persistent vomiting, trouble breathing, confusion, or a rapid worsening of symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chong Wei Zi

What is Chongweizi? Is it the same as Yimucao or Cheqianzi?

Chongweizi is the dried mature fruit of Leonurus japonicus, Latin name Leonuri Fructus. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on activating blood and regulating menstruation, and clearing the liver and brightening the eyes. Yimucao activates blood and regulates menstruation while promoting urination. Cheqianzi clears heat and promotes urination while percolating dampness. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Chongweizi. Caution with dilated pupils.

What are the composition and effects of Chongweizi?

Pharmacopoeial name Chongweizi, Latin Leonurus japonicus Houtt. Pungent and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, enters the Pericardium and Liver meridians. Functions to activate blood and regulate menstruation, and clear the liver and brighten the eyes. Used for irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, red eyes with nebula, and dizziness with distending pain. Activates blood and brightens the eyes.

How to choose between raw and processed? Can Yimucao replace it?

Fruit is used raw. Yimucao emphasizes promoting urination rather than strongly brightening the eyes, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.

What is the dosage of Chongweizi? Can it be used daily as a menstruation-regulating tea?

Decoction, 5-10g. Modern use requires physician-determined dosage. It is not a year-round "Chongweizi tea." Dilated pupils will be further injured by prolonged use. Dysmenorrhea requires short-term, physician-determined dosage and cannot replace evaluation.

What are the contraindications of Chongweizi? Can pregnant women use it?

Contraindicated with dilated pupils. Use with caution in pregnancy. Stop if dry eyes or dizziness occur. Seek immediate medical care for severe dysmenorrhea or high fever.

Can Chongweizi activate blood, regulate menstruation, and brighten the eyes?

It can assist irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, red eyes with nebula, and dizziness with distending pain. It activates blood and regulates menstruation, and clears the liver and brightens the eyes, but is not a specific remedy for all dysmenorrhea or all red eyes.

Can Chongweizi be taken daily as a menstruation-regulating or eye-brightening tea?

Blood-stasis dysmenorrhea can be used short-term in formulas; dilated pupils will be further injured. The idea that "Chongweizi must regulate menstruation" cannot replace evaluation. Activating blood and regulating menstruation requires physician-determined formulation and dosage.

How to choose between Chongweizi, Yimucao, Cheqianzi, Juemingzi, and Juhua?

Chongweizi activates blood and brightens the eyes, suited to dysmenorrhea. Yimucao activates blood and promotes urination. Cheqianzi clears heat and promotes urination. Juemingzi clears the liver and brightens the eyes while moistening the intestines. Juhua disperses wind-heat and brightens the eyes. Choose Chongweizi for regulating menstruation; Yimucao for promoting urination; Cheqianzi for promoting urination; Juemingzi for brightening the eyes; Juhua for dispersing. Pattern differentiation applies, but contraindicated with dilated pupils.

How is Chongweizi commonly modified? What is a representative usage?

Modifications depend on the pattern. Add Yimucao for dysmenorrhea; add Juhua for red eyes. Specify Chongweizi; do not substitute Yimucao in equal amounts for brightening the eyes.

How to select and store Chongweizi?

Choose regular Chinese medicinal materials with intact fruits. Discard if moldy, damp, or abnormal in odor. Store in a dry place. Purchase "Chongweizi"; do not substitute Yimucao or Cheqianzi in equal amounts for activating blood, regulating menstruation, and brightening the eyes.

Related Products

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Hoi Tin Chong Wei Zi (Common Motherwort Fruit) Single Herb 10:1 Concentrated Granules $35.66

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.