Dodder Seed (Small, flattened sphere, grayish-brown, with a net-like wrinkled surface, hard; fingernail can’t crush it, it will bounce; Perilla Seed can be crushed; boils in water and produces a sticky, stringy substance.)

Dodder Seed Cake

(Above) Dodder Seed, releasing stringy substance, (Below) Paper Mulberry Fruit, Perilla Seed

【Naming】

Dodder Seed

 【Source】

Classified as Superior in the Classic of Herbal Medicine

 【Commonly Used Level】

B

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried, ripe seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam., a plant in the Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) family.

 【Characteristics】

Small and flattened spherical, about 1~1.5mm in diameter. The seed coat is reddish-brown or brownish-yellow and slightly rough. When observed under a magnifying glass: the surface has dense, small dark spots and a net-like wrinkled texture. One end has a slightly concave, linear hilum. The texture is hard and difficult to crush with a fingernail; it will bounce. (Perilla seeds can be crushed). It has no odor and a slightly bitter and astringent taste. Stir-fried Dodder Seeds: are dark yellow.

 【Processing】

1. Dodder Seed 2. Wine-fried Dodder Seed 3. Salt-fried Dodder Seed 4. Dodder Seed Cake

 【Identification】

“Now even near the capital they are found, with those from Yuanju being the best.” (Zhenglei Bencao). “Pound Dodder Seeds and remove the ones that cannot be crushed to find the genuine article.” (Puji Fang). “Dodder Seeds are best when they are as small as mustard seeds and extremely hard; large and light ones are not suitable.” (Yifang Leiju). “The firmest and smallest seeds are the best.” (Bencao Pin Hui Jingyao). “Song states: those from Yuanju are the best.” (Bencao Gangmu). “Take a spoonful in water, it’s best to drink more water.” (Bencao Shugou Yuan).
The best are those with plump grains and free from dust and impurities.

 【Identification Terminology】

1. Releasing stringy substance: After Dodder Seeds are boiled in water, the seed coat cracks open and a yellowish-white, coiled embryo emerges, resembling a silkworm spinning silk.

 【Category】

Seeds