Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi) (Oval, grayish-brown, with reticulated wrinkles, base slanted towards the cut surface, seed coat thin, hard and brittle, kernel yellowish-white and oily)

【Name】

Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi)

 【Source】

Song Kaibao

 【Common Use Level】

F

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried mature seeds of *Euphorbia lathyris* L., from the Euphorbiaceae family.

 【Characteristics】

Elliptical or oval, 5-6 mm long, about 4 mm in diameter. Surface is grayish-brown with reticulated wrinkles and small dark-brown spots. One side has a groove-like seed ridge, and the base near the seed ridge has a whitish caruncle, which is often detached, leaving a slanted cut surface. Seed coat is thin, hard and brittle, inner surface is grayish-white and shiny. Endosperm is yellowish-white and oily. Odorless, pungent taste.

 【Processing】

1. Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi) 2. Defatted Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi) (Qian Jin Zi Shuang)

 【Identification】

“*Jiang Nang Cuo Yao*” (Essentials from a Purple Sack): “Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi) (fresh ones are better)”. “*Jing Yan Qi Fang*” (Remarkable Formulas of Experience): “Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi) kernel, white ones are better”.
Plump seeds with sufficient oil content are considered superior.

 【Identification Terminology】

1. Seed/Grain (粒): Primarily used to describe the quality of medicinal materials. Medicinal materials referred to as “seed/grain” include Euphorbia Seed (Qian Jin Zi), Ligustrum lucidum Fruit (Nu Zhen Zi), Schisandra Fruit (Wu Wei Zi), etc. Generally, larger seeds/grains are considered better, except for Perilla Fruit (Zi Su Zi), where smaller seeds are preferred.

 【Category】

Seeds