Hemp Seed (Fructus Cannabis)

Hemp seed: The seed kernel of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) from the Moraceae family, a Chinese medicinal herb, referring to the dried mature fruit of Cannabis sativa L. Mainly produced in Shandong, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. This substance has the effect of moistening the intestines to relieve constipation, and is primarily used for blood deficiency and fluid depletion, as well as intestinal dryness and constipation.

【Nature, Flavor and Meridian Tropism】Neutral, sweet. Meridian tropism: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine.

【Actions and Indications】Moistens dryness and unblocks bowels, tonifies deficiency. Belongs to the subcategory of offensive purgatives under purgatives.

【Pharmacological Research】Lowers blood pressure; reduces cholesterol. The natural product trilinolein from hemp seeds has entered clinical stage for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Related Discussion

1. *Ben Jing*: “Tonifies the Middle and boosts Qi; long-term consumption makes one plump and robust.”
2. *Pharmaceutical Meaning*: “Hemp seeds can moisten the intestines; their moist nature removes dryness. They are specifically effective for constipation due to qi stagnation in the large intestine. They treat conditions such as blood dryness in the elderly, postpartum qi and blood disharmony, un-recovered original qi after illness, or constitutional weakness with impaired transportation. When the large intestine is blocked and closed, it is not appropriate to use purgatives, nor can it be left closed for long. Use this with Aster and Apricot Kernel to moisten the lung qi and nourish the large intestine; then bowel movements will become smooth on their own.”

Related Applications

1. Treatment for typhoid fever where the pulse at the dorsum of the foot is floating and rough: floating indicates strong stomach qi, rough indicates frequent urination, floating and rough mutually contend, then the stools become hard, and the spleen is constrained: 2 sheng of hemp seeds, half a jin of white peony root, half a jin of immature bitter orange (roasted), 1 jin of rhubarb (peeled), 1 chi of magnolia bark (roasted, peeled), 1 sheng of apricot kernels (peeled, tip removed, stir-fried, and ground into a paste). The above six ingredients are mixed with honey to form pills the size of parasol tree seeds. Take ten pills with a decoction, three times daily, gradually increasing the dosage until a response is achieved. (Treatise on Febrile Diseases: Hemp Seed Pill)

2. Treat postpartum excessive blood loss leading to depletion of body fluids, inability to transport [stool], and constipation: Cannabis Fructus (ground into paste), Aurantii Fructus (stir-fried with flour), Ginseng Radix, each one liang; Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, half a liang. Grind the above into powder, refine honey into pills the size of tung tree seeds. Take 20 pills per dose on an empty stomach, with either warm wine or rice water. If not unblocked, gradually increase the number of pills, but do not exceed [the proper amount]. (Ma Ren Wan from *Ji Yin Gang Mu*)

3. Treatment of elderly patients with dry stool constipation: Hemp seed oil, Perilla seed, Pine nut kernel, Apricot kernel (stir-fried, peeled and tip removed), Sesame seed (stir-fried, ground into paste). Grind together into pills, the size of a bullet. Each dose: 1 pill, dissolved in honey water. (Selected Simple Prescriptions from Xianxi)

4. Treating hemiplegia with inability to move the limbs and deviation of the mouth and eyes: Hemp seed 2 ge (dry-fried), black soybean 2 ge (small tight ones, dry-fried), pigeon droppings 2 ge (dry-fried), weeping willow twigs two handfuls (cut into half-cun lengths). For the above four ingredients, first use 7 sheng of wine to decoct the willow twigs down to 5 sheng; then dry-fry the pigeon droppings, hemp seed, and black soybean until yellow, and while hot, immediately add them to the willow branch wine. After a short while, remove the residue to make it clean. For each dose, take 2 to 3 ge warm on an empty stomach and before bedtime, once each. (From *Shengji Zonglu*, Hemp Seed Wine)

5. For treating bone marrow wind-toxin pain that impedes movement: Take one large *sheng* of fire hemp seeds (soaked in water, using only those that sink). Dry in sunlight, then stir-fry until fragrant and cooked. Place in a wooden mortar and grind very finely until like white powder. Divide evenly into ten packets. For each dose, take one packet, mix with one bowl of clear wine (wine without ash) to form a paste, then filter to obtain the clear wine. Repeat until the hemp powder is fully dissolved, discarding the residue. Combine all the wine together, decoct until reduced by half, and adjust to a suitable temperature. Take on an empty stomach in a single dose, one packet daily. (from *Qie Zhong Fang*: Fire Hemp Seed Wine)

Related Compatibility

1. Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Fructus) with Huang Qi (Astragali Radix): Huo Ma Ren moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels; Huang Qi tonifies the middle qi. Combined, they tonify both qi and yin, boost qi to unblock the bowels. Used for constipation due to qi deficiency in the elderly, postpartum women, and all such cases; also treats middle qi sinking, constipation with rectal prolapse, etc.
2. Huo Ma Ren with Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix): Huo Ma Ren nourishes yin and blood, moistens dryness and unblocks the bowels, and also supplements the middle qi; Mai Men Dong nourishes yin and generates fluids, clears heat and moistens dryness, and nourishes the lung and stomach. Combined, they enhance the action of nourishing yin, generating fluids, and moistening dryness. Used for lack of hunger and fullness, tidal fever without appetite, and blocked bowels due to constitutional weakness, heat disease damaging fluids, or stomach yin insufficiency.
3. Huo Ma Ren with Dong Kui Zi (Malvae Fructus): Huo Ma Ren supplements deficiency, moistens the intestines to unblock the bowels, and promotes urination; Dong Kui Zi promotes urination to relieve stranguria and moistens the intestines to unblock the bowels. Combined, they both promote urination and lubricate the stool. Used for heat stranguria with urinary pain accompanied by constipation due to fluid depletion or damp-heat edema.
4. Huo Ma Ren with Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum): Huo Ma Ren is smooth and moistening, nourishes yin and blood, and moistens the intestines to unblock the bowels; Xing Ren descends and disperses lung qi, moistens and moves downward. Combined, used for constipation due to lung heat transferring to the large intestine, or yin deficiency with intestinal dryness.
5. Huo Ma Ren with Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen): Huo Ma Ren smooths intestinal dryness and also supplements the spleen to distribute fluids; Gua Lou Ren enters the large intestine to moisten the stool, and also enters the lung meridian to moisten dryness. Combined, the fluids of the lung and large intestine are moistened, relieving intestinal dryness. Used for blocked bowels due to insufficient fluids and gastrointestinal dryness-heat.
6. Huo Ma Ren with Su Zi (Perillae Fructus): Huo Ma Ren moistens dryness and smooths the intestines, and has a certain nourishing and supplementing deficiency effect, suitable for constipation due to large intestine fluid depletion; Su Zi descends qi and directs counterflow, benefits the diaphragm, and relaxes the intestines. Combined, their effect of nourishing blood, moistening dryness, descending qi, and unblocking the bowels is more pronounced. Used for postpartum, post-illness weakness, and elderly blood deficiency with intestinal dryness constipation.
7. Huo Ma Ren with Tao Ren (Persicae Semen): Both have the effect of moistening the intestines and unblocking the bowels, and Tao Ren also disperses the lung. Used in combination, they achieve the actions of moistening the intestines, unblocking the bowels, and dispersing the lung. Used for intestinal dryness constipation due to lung qi not dispersing.

Medicinal dietary therapy

Hemp Seed Longevity Soup:
1. Effects: It can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent vascular hardening, enhance cardiac reserve, and also moisten the intestines to relieve constipation, thereby achieving the goal of delaying aging.
2. Ingredients: 50g hemp seed, 250g shepherd’s purse (or other wild vegetables), salt, MSG, peanut oil to taste, 1500ml superior broth.
3. Preparation: First, wash the hemp seed, grind it with a small amount of water using a stone mill into a slurry, then filter through white gauze to remove dregs and collect the slurry. Wash the shepherd’s purse and cut into small sections. Place the superior broth in a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, add oil, salt, MSG, shepherd’s purse, and hemp seed slurry. Cook until done, then remove from heat and serve.
4. Usage: Consume regularly.

Precautions

1. Should not be used in cases of spleen deficiency with loose stools and yang deficiency with slippery diarrhea.
2. Should not be used together with Oyster, Cynanchum Atratum, Poria, and the like.
3. Should not be used concurrently with atropine and other anticholinergic drugs.

Hemp seed, known as Fructus Cannabis in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a versatile natural laxative that has been used for centuries to moisten intestines and relieve constipation, especially in cases of blood deficiency or fluid depletion. Modern research supports its hemp seed benefits, including its ability to lower cholesterol and manage hemp seed blood pressure, making it a valuable herbal remedy for constipation and cardiovascular health. Additionally, hemp seed oil for skin is gaining attention due to its potential in treating conditions like atopic dermatitis, as the natural compound trilinolein has entered clinical trials. This Chinese medicine for constipation also pairs well with other herbs to enhance its effects, such as combining with astragalus for qi deficiency or with ophiopogon for yin nourishment. Whether consumed as a pill, in a longevity soup, or as oil, hemp seed offers a gentle yet effective approach to digestive wellness while supporting overall health through its unique moisturizing and tonifying properties.