Chinese Chive Seed
- Chinese
- 韭菜子
- Pinyin
- Jiu Cai Zi
- Latin
- Semen Allii Tuberosi
Known in TCM as Jiu Cai Zi (韭菜子), this sweet and acrid, warm herb enters the Liver and Kidney. Traditionally, it warms and tonifies Liver-Kidney Yang while securing essence ... Jiu Cai Zi is chosen when weakness of the lower burner leads to impotence, reduced libido, nocturnal emission, infertility, and soreness of the low back or knees, most often applied for erectile dysfunction, frequent urination, and infertility. Modern research has identified Steroidal among its active constituents.
Part used: Seed
Also Known As
Latin: Semen Allii Tuberosi | Pinyin: Jiu Cai Zi | Chinese: 韭菜子
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet, acrid
- Temperature
- warm
- Channels
- Liver, Kidney
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Warms and tonifies Liver-Kidney Yang while securing essence ... Jiu Cai Zi is chosen when weakness of the lower burner leads to impotence, reduced libido, nocturnal emission, infertility, and soreness of the low back or knees.
- Secures the lower gate and helps the Bladder contain fluids ... it is used for frequent urination, enuresis, urinary dribbling, or clear profuse discharge when Kidney Qi and Yang are too weak to hold.
- Assists chronic deficiency cold in the lower burner ... traditional use extends to long-standing weakness with leakage symptoms rather than to acute heat or inflammatory presentations.
Secondary Actions
- This page should be read as the same medicinal lane already represented by `chinese-leek-chinese-chive-seed` ... the imported English wording differs, but the herb identity is still Jiu Cai Zi.
- The cleaned black seed matters here ... this is a seed medicine, not a leaf, bulb, or food-vegetable page.
Classic Formulas
- Zan Yu Dan ... a major Kidney-Yang and fertility formula in which Jiu Cai Zi helps warm the lower burner while securing essence.
- Kidney-warming leakage formulas with Sang Piao Xiao or Bu Gu Zhi ... practical traditional strategy for frequent urination and seminal leakage.
- Small seminal-emission and lower-gate formulas centered on warming and securing ... a classic niche of the seed beyond general aphrodisiac marketing.
Classical References
- Traditional herbology records Jiu Cai Zi as sweet, acrid, and warm, entering the Liver and Kidney to tonify Yang, warm the waist and knees, and secure essence.
- Its classical identity is more about warming and retaining than about aggressively restoring collapse-level Yang deficiency.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Steroidal saponins including tuberoside-series compounds ... characteristic seed constituents repeatedly tied to reproductive interest
- Steroidal glycosides such as allituberoside-class compounds ... newer isolates studied for testosterone-supportive effects
- Fatty-oil and minor nucleoside fractions ... supportive components in the seed's broader nutritional and pharmacologic profile
Studied Effects
- A 2009 rat study found aphrodisiac effects from Allium tuberosum seed extract, offering one of the clearest modern experimental correlates for the traditional use of Jiu Cai Zi in erectile and seminal weakness (PMID 19429330).
- A 2017 study reported corpus-cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation and improved sexual-behavior parameters in male rats, strengthening the modern rationale for its reproductive-use reputation (PMID 29191197).
- A 2020 phytochemical study isolated steroidal glycosides from Allium tuberosum seeds and found that several promoted testosterone production in rat Leydig cells, directly linking seed chemistry to Yang-tonifying and fertility-supportive tradition (PMID 33266475).
PubMed References
- Aphrodisiac properties of Allium tuberosum seeds extract. (2009)
- In vitro and in vivo aphrodisiac properties of the seed extract from Allium tuberosum on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation and sexual behavior parameters in male Wistar rats. (2017)
- Steroidal Glycosides from Allium tuberosum Seeds and Their Roles in Promoting Testosterone Production of Rat Leydig Cells. (2020)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Yin deficiency with flaring fire or obvious internal heat signs
- Damp-heat or burning urinary disorders rather than cold deficiency
Cautions
- Although the plant is familiar as a food, the seed is used medicinally as a warming astringent and excessive dosing can aggravate heat signs or gastric irritation.
- Pregnancy use should be clinician-directed rather than casual because the herb is warming and essence-securing.
Conditions
- Erectile Dysfunction Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Frequent Urination Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Infertility Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Kidney Yang Deficiency Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese Chive Seed used for?
Chinese Chive Seed is traditionally used to Warms and tonifies Liver-Kidney Yang while securing essence ... Jiu Cai Zi is chosen when weakness of the lower burner leads to impotence, reduced libido, nocturnal emission, infertility, and soreness of the low back or knees., Secures the lower gate and helps the Bladder contain fluids ... it is used for frequent urination, enuresis, urinary dribbling, or clear profuse discharge when Kidney Qi and Yang are too weak to hold., Assists chronic deficiency cold in the lower burner ... traditional use extends to long-standing weakness with leakage symptoms rather than to acute heat or inflammatory presentations.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2009 rat study found aphrodisiac effects from Allium tuberosum seed extract, offering one of the clearest modern experimental correlates for the traditional use of Jiu Cai Zi in erectile and seminal weakness (PMID 19429330).; A 2017 study reported corpus-cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation and improved sexual-behavior parameters in male rats, strengthening the modern rationale for its reproductive-use reputation (PMID 29191197)..
What are other names for Chinese Chive Seed?
Chinese Chive Seed is also known as Jiu Cai Zi, Semen Allii Tuberosi, Tuber onion seed. In TCM: 韭菜子 (Jiu Cai Zi); Semen Allii Tuberosi.
Is Chinese Chive Seed safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Chinese Chive Seed during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Chinese Chive Seed?
Chinese Chive Seed should not be used in: Yin deficiency with flaring fire or obvious internal heat signs; Damp-heat or burning urinary disorders rather than cold deficiency. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.