Natural Herb Library

Vaccaria Seed

Chinese
王不留行
Pinyin
Wang Bu Liu Xing
Latin
Semen Vaccariae
Botanical illustration of Vacarria Seed, Cow Soapwort Seed, Gypsophila vaccaria, showing seeds, capsules, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Wang Bu Liu Xing (王不留行), this bitter, neutral herb enters the Liver and Stomach. Traditionally, it invigorates blood and stimulates menstruation ... Wang Bu Liu Xing is classically used for amenorrhea, painful stasis, and fixed gynecologic obstruction, most often applied for insufficient lactation, amenorrhea, and mastitis. Modern research has identified Vaccarin among its active constituents.

Part used: Seed

Also Known As

Cowherb Seed Cow Soapwort Seed Wang Bu Liu Xing Vaccaria

Latin: Semen Vaccariae | Pinyin: Wang Bu Liu Xing | Chinese: 王不留行

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Liver, Stomach

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Invigorates blood and stimulates menstruation ... Wang Bu Liu Xing is classically used for amenorrhea, painful stasis, and fixed gynecologic obstruction.
  • Promotes lactation and unblocks the breasts ... it is one of the better-known seeds for poor milk flow, breast distention, and blocked postpartum lactation.
  • Reduces swelling and supports abscess care ... traditional use extends to mastitis, painful nodules, and swollen breast-channel obstruction.

Secondary Actions

  • Modern ear-seed use made this herb widely recognizable, but the monograph should stay anchored to the whole medicinal seed rather than auricular-acupressure marketing alone.
  • It is frequently discussed beside historical pangolin formulas because both were used for lactation obstruction, yet Vaccaria seed remains the legal plant-based lane.

Classic Formulas

  • Tong Ru Dan ... classic postpartum lactation-opening formula logic where Wang Bu Liu Xing is a core mover of the breast channels.
  • Amenorrhea pairings with Tao Ren, Hong Hua, or Yi Mu Cao ... blood-moving menstrual use context.
  • Breast-swelling combinations with Lou Lu and Tong Cao ... practical mastitis and blocked-flow logic.

Classical References

  • Traditional herbology describes Wang Bu Liu Xing as bitter and neutral, entering the Liver and Stomach to move blood, stimulate menstruation, reduce swelling, and promote milk secretion.
  • Its seed form explains why modern external ear-seed use developed, but that should not eclipse the broader internal materia medica record.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Vaccarin ... a signature glycoside widely studied in modern Vaccaria work
  • Cyclopeptides and related seed constituents discussed in phytochemical reviews
  • Polysaccharide and hypaphorine-related fractions explored for immune and inflammatory effects

Studied Effects

  • A 2021 review summarized ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological findings on Vaccaria segetalis and remains the best modern overview for Wang Bu Liu Xing (PMID 33996757).
  • A 2020 study found that vaccarin promoted proliferation and milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells through prolactin-receptor and PI3K signaling, which is one of the clearest modern correlates to the herb's lactation tradition (PMID 32464193).
  • A 2015 study reported analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects from a hydroalcoholic Semen Vaccariae extract, supporting the seed's traditional swelling and pain indications (PMID 26051722).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Blood deficiency without stasis

Cautions

  • Wang Bu Liu Xing moves blood and opens lactation channels, so it should not be treated as a neutral everyday nutritive seed.
  • Ear seeds, crude internal seeds, and concentrated extracts are related but not interchangeable in dose or intent.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vaccaria Seed used for?

Vaccaria Seed is traditionally used to Invigorates blood and stimulates menstruation ... Wang Bu Liu Xing is classically used for amenorrhea, painful stasis, and fixed gynecologic obstruction., Promotes lactation and unblocks the breasts ... it is one of the better-known seeds for poor milk flow, breast distention, and blocked postpartum lactation., Reduces swelling and supports abscess care ... traditional use extends to mastitis, painful nodules, and swollen breast-channel obstruction.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2021 review summarized ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological findings on Vaccaria segetalis and remains the best modern overview for Wang Bu Liu Xing (PMID 33996757).; A 2020 study found that vaccarin promoted proliferation and milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells through prolactin-receptor and PI3K signaling, which is one of the clearest modern correlates to the herb's lactation tradition (PMID 32464193)..

What are other names for Vaccaria Seed?

Vaccaria Seed is also known as Cowherb Seed, Cow Soapwort Seed, Wang Bu Liu Xing, Vaccaria. In TCM: 王不留行 (Wang Bu Liu Xing); Semen Vaccariae.

Is Vaccaria Seed safe during pregnancy?

Vaccaria Seed is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Vaccaria Seed?

Vaccaria Seed should not be used in: Pregnancy; Heavy menstrual bleeding; Blood deficiency without stasis. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.