Chong Wei Zi (Motherwort Seed) (Trigonous, small hard fruit, grayish-brown, thin-skinned with many spots, one end flat and the other pointed, the seed kernel is white and oily)

【Naming】

Chong Wei Zi (Motherwort Seed)

 【Source】

Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica, Superior Class

 【Commonly Used Degree】

C

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried, mature fruit of Leonurus sibiricus L. (Motherwort), family Lamiaceae.

 【Characteristics】

The dried fruit is trigonous, slightly wider at one end, appearing truncated; the other end gradually narrows to a blunt point, 2-3 mm long and about 1.5 mm wide. The surface is grayish-brown, with dark spots, dull, or slightly rough. The cross-section is triangular. When observed under a magnifying glass, the outer skin is brownish-black; the endosperm is very thin, gray, attached to the seed coat, and the cotyledons are grayish-white and oily. It has no odor and a bitter taste.

 【Identification】

The best quality is defined by large, plump seeds free of impurities.

 【Category】

Fruits