Feather Cockscomb Seed
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Heat Clearing Herbs to Clear Heat and Purge Fire
Feather Cockscomb Seed
Latin:
Semen Celosiae
Origin:
Feather cockscomb seed is the ripe seed of Celosia argentea L., an annual flower plant, of the amaranth (Amaranthaceae) family. The genus celosia consists of about 60 species, native to tropical America and Africa and characterized by alternate leaves and showy flowers in spikes, which in cultivated forms are often fasciated and form compact or feathery clusters.
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Only a few species are popularly grown for their ornamental effect in gardens. The cockscomb comes in crested forms, thus the name. The cockscomb has many varieties, most of which fall into one of three groups. The plumosa group are called feathered amaranths for their plumed spikes; the nana group are dwarf varieties; and the Childsii group have ball-like knobs at the ends of flowering stalks. The range of colours is wide, from white and yellow to shades of orange, red, and purple.
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Direct seed in warm garden soil in full sun in early summer. Young seedlings can be easily transplanted.
In China, this plant is produced in the provinces of Central and South China. It is picked and gathered when the seed ripens in autumn and dried in the sun for use.
Also called Prince's feather seed.
Properties:
Bitter in flavor, slightly cold in nature, it is related to the liver channel.
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Functions:
Clears and purges fire from the liver, improves eyesight and removes nebula (a white spot or a slight opacity of the cornea).
Applications:
Used for conjunctival congestion and nebula:
Being sweet and cold, entering the liver channel and being refreshing and lowering in its properties, this herb can clear and purge fire of excess type from the liver channel to improve eyesight and remove nebula. It is often used in combination with cassia seed (Semen Cassiae), pale butterfly bush flower (Flos Buddlejae), etc., for such ailments as conjunctivitis, nebula and blurring of vision due to flaming up of liver-fire.
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In addition, it has a certain curative effect when used in modern times for high blood pressure due to exuberant liver-fire.
Dosage and Administration:
3-15 g.
Decoct the ingredients for drinking.
Cautions on Use:
This herb has a mydriatic effect (excessive dilatation of the pupil of the eye), so it should be avoided by anyone suffering from glaucoma (a group of eye diseases characterised by an increase in intraocular pressure which causes pathological changes in the optic disk and typical defects in the field of vision).
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Reference Materials:
'Shen Nong's Herbal Classic' :
"It eliminates pathogenic factors, clears heat from the skin, relieves itching, kills three kinds of insects ... ... and treats pale lips."
'On Drug Properties' :
"It treats conjunctivitis, optic atrophy and nebula due to the rushing of toxic heat from the liver up to the eyes."
Toxic or Side Effects:
Modern Researches:
This herb contains celosiaol, nicotinic acid and rich potassium nitrate. celosiaol has a mydriatic effect., 百拇医药