It is the ripe seed of Cassia obtusifolia L. or C. tara., family Leguminosae. Its producing areas are mainly in the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangxi, and Sichuan, etc., the medicinal material is collected in autumn, dried in the sun, the crude or the stir-baked one can be used as medication. Medicinal Properties Sweet and bitter in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the liver and large intestine meridians. Actions Clear away liver-fire to improve eyesight, moisten the intestines to relax the bowels. Application 1. It is used for liver-heat or wind-heat syndrome with redness, swelling and pain of the eyes. It can also clear away and purge liver-fire, accompanied with replenishing kidney-yin, and improve eyesight, therefore asthenic or sthenic syndromes of eye disease can all be treated with it. For liver-heat syndrome with redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, and tears running, it is often combined with Xiakucao ( Spica Prunellae ), Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae ) and others that can clear away liver-fire. For syndrome of the deficiency of liver-yin and kidney-yin with blurred vision, often used together with Gouqizi ( Fructus Lycii ) and Juhua ( Flos Chrysanthemi) to nourish the liver and improve eyesight. 2. It is used for liver-heat or hyperactivity of liver-yang with headache and dizziness. It is often combined with Gouteng (Ramulus Uncariae cure Uncis ), Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) and others to clear away heat and suppress liver-yang. It is now often used for hypertension due to hyperactivity of liver-yang. 3. For constipation due to dryness of the intestine, it is often used together with Huomaren ( Semen Cannabis), Gualouren ( Semen Trichosanthis) and others. Usage and Dosage 10 -15 g is used in decoction for oral use or it is made tea for drinking. Notes It is not suitable for the patient with loose stool due to qi deficiency.
