Practical
Plants

Cnidium monnieri

She Chuang Zi

a perennial member of the Cnidium genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cnidium
Life cycle
perennial
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report says that the plant is slightly toxic[1].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots[3]. No further details are given, but some caution is suggested because of a report of slight toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

She Chuang Zi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicine. It is mainly used externally as a lotion, powder or ointment for skin conditions such as eczema, ringworm and scabies[5]. The seed is antipruritic, aphrodisiac, antirheumatic, astringent, carminative, discutient, sedative, vermifuge and vulnerary[1][2][4]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of Trichomonas vaginitis, leucorrhoea and uterine displacement[1]. The seed is also used in the treatment of impotence, often in conjunction with Schisandra chinensis[5]. It has been shown to have an action similar to the sex hormones, prolonging and reviving the copulation period, increasing the weight of the uterus and ovary, prostate gland and testicle[2]. A decoction of the seed or whole plant is applied externally to skin problems including weeping eczema[1].

Product or use
Antipruritic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Vermifuge
Product or use
Vulnerary

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China. At one time this plant was naturalized in the warmer areas of Europe[6].
Habitat
Field edges and the sides of ditches in China[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. Judging by the plants native habitat it is likely to require a well-drained soil in a sunny position. One report says that it is an annual whilst another says that it is perennial[6][1].

References

  1. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  2. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  4. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  5. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  6. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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