Sha Yuan Zi (Flatstem Milkvetch Seed)

Official Sha Yuan Zi (沙苑子) is the dried ripe seed of Astragalus complanatus. The pharmacopoeial name is Astragali Complanati Semen, also called Sha Yuan Ji Li or Tong Ji Li. Ci Ji Li (Bai Ji Li) is the fruit of Tribulus terrestris: acrid-bitter and slightly warm, levels and courses the Liver, dispels wind and brightens the eyes—spiny and not a tonic, wholly different. Huang Qi is the root of a related Astragalus: supplements Qi and raises Yang—not the seed. Stir-frying or salt-frying strengthens warm supplementation and astringency. Write Sha Yuan Zi; do not dispense Ci Ji Li.

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Sha Yuan Zi is sweet and warm, enters the Liver and Kidney channels, and acts to supplement the Kidney to assist Yang, secure essence and reduce urination, and nourish the Liver to brighten the eyes. It is used for Kidney-vacuity lumbar pain, seminal emission and premature ejaculation, enuresis and urinary frequency, cloudy urine and vaginal discharge, dizziness, and dim vision. Sweet-warm and gently moistening, it evenly supplements Liver-Kidney while astringing—suited to vacuity that fails to secure, not to blazing ministerial fire, persistent erection, or Bladder damp-heat.

Brightening the eyes and nourishing the Liver may use the raw seed; emission and urinary frequency more often use Chao Sha Yuan Zi or Yan Sha Yuan Zi to enter the Kidney. The seed is hard—crush it into the decoction. Do not mix it with Ci Ji Li.