Learn About Chinese Herbs -Huo Ma Ren (Semen Cannabis)-
Huo Ma Ren (Semen Cannabis)
This product is rarely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was first published in the "Shen Nong Materia Medica" and listed as the top grade. Formerly known as "Da Ma".
Aliases: Huo Ma Ren, Xian Ma Zi (shell substitute).
Source: Mature, hulled kernels of Cannabis sativa L., an annual herbaceous plant of the Moraceae family. All are cultivated.
Origin: Mainly produced in Northeast China, East China, other provinces also have production.
Trait identification: the fruit is oval or oblate-oval, 4~5mm long, 3~4mm in diameter. The surface is smooth, gray-green or gray-yellow. It has a tiny white or brownish-black pattern with a light ridge on each side. One end is blunt and pointed, and the other end has a round concave point, which is the residue of the fruit stalk. The exocarp is thin, the endocarp is crisp, and the green seed coat is often adhered to the endocarp and is not easily separated. The endosperm is grayish-white, thin, and surrounds the curved embryo. The cotyledons are two hypertrophic, and the radicle is distinct. The smell is light, the taste is light, and it is oily. When the husk of the fruit is removed, it becomes Huo Ma Ren. It is better to have clean kernels, green, yellow and white, and no oil.
Main ingredients: Contains a large amount of fatty oil (about 31%), volatile oil, protein, vitamins, lecithin, etc.
Pharmacological effect: It has a laxative effect and is a slippery laxative. The fatty oil contained in it lubricates the intestinal wall and stool, softens the stool and makes it easy to pass. The effect is mild, there is no side effect of intestinal colic, and it will not cause constipation after diarrhea.
Preparation: Raw.
Taste: neutral, sweet.
Meridians: into the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians.
Function: Moisturize and smooth the intestines.
Indications: Dry Constipation. It is suitable for the elderly who are weak and have postpartum blood deficiency.
Clinical application
（1） It is used to treat habitual constipation. Whether it is qi deficiency constipation (constipation caused by weak gastrointestinal motor function) or intestinal constipation (constipation due to decreased intestinal water), Huo Ma Ren can be used for defecation. This is especially true for the elderly, the infirm, and postpartum constipation. You can use a Huo Ma Ren, mash and boil into paste, add rock sugar, and cook it into a paste and use like sesame paste. It can also be combined with other herbs with intestinal moisturizing effect, such as in the case of postpartum constipation with Dang Gui and Bo Zi Ren, and for constipation during pregnancy with Gua Lou Ren and Xing Ren;
If the stomach and intestines are hot, the abdomen is full and constipated, the effect of Huo Ma Ren alone is not enough, it must be combined with Da Huang, Zhi Shi, etc., such as in the formula Ma Zi Ren Wan, this prescription is also suitable for people with hemorrhoids and constipation, but the elderly and weak people are not suitable for use.
（2） It is used to nourish yin and nourish blood. Often used with Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Sheng Di and other tonic medicines. The experience of predecessors said that hemp seeds "make people fat and healthy after a long time", and "moistens the hair ". In modern times, Huo Ma Ren are rarely used as tonic medicines, but Huo Ma Ren are added to some tonic agents (such as in the formula “Fu Mai Tang”) to strengthen the effect of nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness. Since Huo Ma Ren contain nutrients such as protein (about 19%), vitamin E, and lecithin, according to this analysis, they will also have a certain tonic effect.
In addition, Huo Ma Ren (mashed) are used for external application to treat boils that have not formed pus, with Yin Hua and Gan Cao in decoction, it can treat stomatitis caused by gastric heat, and when women have difficulty giving birth due to weak uterine contractility, they can be assisted with taking Huo Ma Ren internally.
Caution of use: Previous experience believes that Huo Ma Ren should not be eaten more, otherwise it is easy to cause wet dreams to occur more commonly in men, and the confirmation and theoretical basis of this statement need to be further studied. However, in modern times it is not advocated to take a large amount of Huo Ma Ren continuously for a long time, such as for chronic constipation, Huo Ma Ren are enough to take three to four times a month. In addition, it has been reported that eating more than 60~120g of Huo Ma Ren at one time can cause poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, and even lethargy, which is worth noting.
Dosage: 9~18g, large dose can be used up to 30~45g.
Prescription example: Ma Zi Ren Wan (from "Shang Han Lun"): Huo Ma Ren 15g (ground), Tian Xing Ren 9g, Da Huang 6g, Zhi Shi 6g, Hou Po 3g, Bai Shao 9g, decoction in water or made into a pill.
Note: There is another item called Da Ma Zi in herbal medicine, which is made of castor seeds, which are different from Huo Ma Ren (which are hemp seeds) and they cannot be mixed as their affects are not the same.
Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.