Bai Chou / Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitis nil) — Dried Morning Glory Seed, Food Herb 500g

Bai Chou (Pharbitis nil), also known as Qian Niu Zi (牵牛子) or Morning Glory Seed, is the dried mature seed of a traditional herb long recognized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). White-seeded Bai Chou and black-seeded Hei Chou are two closely related forms of the same herb, both prized in classical herbal practice as a downward-directing, water-moving seed. Its nature is bitter, cold, and slightly toxic in raw form, and it traditionally enters the Lung, Kidney, and Large Intestine channels, making it a potent herb for moving stagnation and guiding turbid water downward.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional Qian Niu Zi (Morning Glory Seed)
• White-seeded Bai Chou form
• Dried and sun-cured whole seeds
• Also available as custom-milled powder
• 500g bulk food-herb pack

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is sun-dried to preserve the seeds' pale greyish-white to light tan color, smooth rounded shape, and firm, hard texture. The raw seeds carry a faint, dry, earthy aroma with little scent until cracked. When ground into powder, Bai Chou shows a fine, pale beige appearance with a mild, neutral, slightly bitter taste that blends quietly into decoctions and formulas.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoction formulas
• Custom-milled powder blends
• Classical TCM formula ingredient
• Herbal practitioner preparations
• Bulk storage for herbal dispensaries

Traditional Uses

In classical TCM and folk herbal practice, Qian Niu Zi is decocted in formulas traditionally used to move stagnant water downward, ease abdominal fullness, and support the free flow of qi and fluids. It is often paired with herbs like Ting Li Zi, Da Huang, and Gan Sui in traditional compound preparations. Because of its strong downward-moving character, it is used in small, carefully measured amounts within practitioner-guided formulas rather than as a daily casual tea.

FAQ Q&A