Dodder Seed

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

• Tonifies the Kidneys and supplements essence without being overly harsh - Tu Si Zi is used for infertility, impotence, spermatorrhea, sore low back, and constitutional weakness rooted in Kidney deficiency.
• Secures essence and reduces urination - its astringing side makes it especially useful when weakness causes nocturnal emission, frequent urination, enuresis, or leukorrhea.
• Nourishes the Liver and improves vision - traditional use extends to blurry or dim vision associated with Liver-Kidney deficiency.
• Tonifies the Spleen to stop diarrhea and calms the fetus - the herb is unusual among Kidney tonics for also appearing in deficiency-type diarrhea and threatened-miscarriage formulas.

Secondary Actions

• Classical teaching often praises Tu Si Zi as supplementing without being too drying or too cloying, which explains its broad use across mixed yin-yang deficiency patterns.
• Salt processing or cake-style preparation is traditionally used to direct it more strongly to the Kidneys and lower burner.

Classic Formulas

• Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan - major reproductive and fertility formula using Tu Si Zi to tonify Kidney essence and support semen quality.
• Shou Tai Wan - classic formula using Tu Si Zi to secure the Kidneys and calm the fetus in threatened miscarriage from deficiency.
• Vision-supporting formulas with Gou Qi Zi and Shu Di Huang - common Liver-Kidney combination logic for blurred vision and weakness.

Classical References

• TCM Wiki describes Tu Si Zi as sweet, astringent, and slightly warm, entering the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver channels, with actions of tonifying the Kidneys, nourishing essence, improving vision, securing leakage, checking diarrhea, and preventing miscarriage.
• Traditional comparisons often contrast Tu Si Zi with stronger Yang tonics by noting that it nourishes and secures with less drying heat.