Semen Cuscutae

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Semen (seeds of) Cuscutae - aka Tu Si Zi, aka dodder seeds - is one of my

favorite herbs for treating Kidney Yang Deficiency.

 

Tu Si Zi is classified as a Yang tonic herb, but it also is a Yin tonic

herb. This is important in cases of KIDNEY Yang Deficiency because both

Kidney Yang and Kidney Yin Deficiency usually are present whenever either of

the two is Deficient in the Kidneys. The reason both will trend to be

Deficient when one is Deficient in the Kidneys has to do with some unique

properties of the Kidneys.

 

When both Kidney Yang Deficiency and Kidney Yin Deficiency are present, one

will always predominate. How much the dominant Deficiency predominates will

vary. When Kidney Yang Deficiency is severe it can completely mask Kidney

Yin Deficiency, and vice versa. It's only as the predominate Deficiency

starts to resolve that the signs of the other starts to appear.

 

Because of the unique nature of the Kidneys and both Yin and Yang Deficiency

tending to be present at the same time when the Kidneys are involved, it is

customary to include at least one Yin tonic herb in formulas for Yang

Deficiency, and at least one Yang tonic herb in formulas for Yin Deficiency.

This way you're taking care of the most pressing problem at the moment plus

a secondary problem that will tend to manifest more as the predominate

Deficiency is brought under control.

 

Seman Cuscutae is primarily a Yang tonic but also is a Yin tonic. This makes

it an ideal herb in many cases of Kidney Yang Deficiency. That and the fact

that it specifically targets the Kidney system.

 

It also specifically targets the Liver system which means that this is a

good herb to use when Kidney Yang Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency, and

Liver Yin Deficiency are present. It's not uncommon for Kidney and Liver Yin

Deficiency to occur together.

 

Tu Si Zi also benefits Essence. This can be important in many long-standing

illnesses and medical conditions.

 

Some of the uses of Semen Cuscutae include treating tinnitus (ringing in the

ears - can have a Root in the Kidneys and/or Liver), blurred vision

(probably from the Liver Yin Deficiency), spermatorrhea, leukorrhea,

impotence, frequent urination (one of the hallmarks of Kidney Yang

Deficiency), and lower back pain (suspect Kidney imbalance anytime the back,

especially the lower back hurts).

 

Tu Si Zi is contraindicated in pregnancy EXCEPT when it is used to avoid

miscarriage. Semen Cuscutae often is used to calm the fetus when

miscarriage is imminent.

 

Tu Si Zi can lower blood pressure (in cases where it has a Root of Kidney

Yang Deficiency).

 

What are some of the symptoms of a person being predominately (Kidney) Yang

Deficient but also being Kidney Yin Deficient? The person usually is cold

except in the afternoon. At this time the person may feel feverish and

overheated even though the body temperature is below normal. One of the

hallmarks of Yin Deficiency is the person tends to feel the hottest in the

afternoon. This applies to all cases of Yin Deficiency. In cases of just

Yin Deficiency or when Kidney Yin Deficiency predominates over Kidney Yang

Deficiency, the person tends to feel too hot most of the time, but the

feeling too hot is especially marked in the afternoon. When Kidney Yang

Deficiency predominates, the person will feel cold more often than not but

may feel too hot in the afternoon. If the Kidney Yang Deficieny is very

severe, the person may not start to experience this afternoon heat until

after the Kidney Yang Deficiency is brought under some kind of control. The

Kidney Yang Deficiency is so severe that it masks the Kidney Yin Deficiency.

 

Victoria

 

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