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The Cassia Seed used today is the dried mature seed of the leguminous plant Cassia obtusifolia L. or Cassia tora L. Cassia is mainly cultivated, with significant production in Jiangsu, Anhui, Sichuan, and other regions; Cassia tora is either wild or semi-wild, primarily produced in Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, and other provinces, with relatively smaller yields.

Materia medica research suggests that the Cassia Seed used after the Tang and Song dynasties was likely from the Cassia genus. The "Matiming" mentioned in the Bencao Gangmu should be the current authentic Cassia tora or Cassia obtusifolia. Cassia Seed is produced in many places without significant regional specificity.

bubble_chart Varietal Identification

The "Erya·Shicao" states: "Jiegou, Jueguang." Guo's annotation: "Jueming also, with yellow sharp leaves, red flowers, and fruits like Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit." Xing's commentary: "The medicinal herb Jueming, also known as Jueguang, Juehuang, and Jueming." This text has been consistently cited in the materia medica Cassia Seed section, but according to Guo Pu's description, it does not seem to be a plant of the Cassia genus. Additionally, according to the "Guangya": "Yangdi (grass + hoof) (grass + step), Jueguang also." "Jueming, sheep horn also." Thus, the so-called "Jueguang" might be a plant of the Rhododendron genus in the little cuckoo family, while the "Jueming" in the "Guangya" is the materia medica Cassia Seed. However, even so, the Cassia Seed in the Bencao Jing may not necessarily be a plant of the Cassia genus.

Generally, the phenomenon of different substances sharing the same name due to efficacy is most severe. Taking Cassia Seed as an example, this product is named for its ability to improve vision. The "Wu Pu materia medica" states that Cassia Seed is also known as feather cockscomb seed and Yangming. The Bencao Jing also mentions feather cockscomb seed, and the Bielu additionally lists Abalone Shell. The Bencao Jing discusses Cassia Seed: "It treats bluish blindness (optic atrophy), excessive eye discharge, red skin, white membrane, eye redness and pain, and tearing. Long-term use benefits essence and vision, and lightens the body." While the efficacy does not reveal the variety, seeds of the Cassia genus contain anthraquinones, with a clear laxative effect. If the Cassia Seed in the Bencao Jing were such a plant, its efficacy should have been recorded, at least not listed as a long-term use product. Moreover, Tao Hong-jing commented: "Leaves like Jiangmang, seeds shaped like horse hooves, called Matiming, should be crushed when used. There is also another feather cockscomb seed, which is the seed of Qi hao, listed in the lower grade." The term "Jiangmang" is written as such in the Zhenghe "Zhenglei," while the Daguan "Zhenglei" writes it as "Jiangtu." According to the Bencao Shiyi: "Jiangtu is the seed of Jiangli. The character 'tu' is pronounced 'tu,' a grass, similar to Guan, grows by the sea, and can be used to make mats. It is also not similar to the leaves of Jueming." Thus, the character should be "Jiangtu." Further examination of the "Erya·Shicao" states: "Tu, Fuwang." This Jiangtu is a type of Cyperus malaccensis in the Cyperaceae family, with triangular stems, short leaves, and long leaf sheaths, bearing no resemblance to the leguminous Cassia. This suggests that Tao's Jueming is also not a plant of the Cassia genus.

Su Jing did not discuss the plant morphology of Cassia, and Chen Cang-qi only disagreed with Tao Hong-jing's statement that Cassia leaves resemble Cyperus malaccensis, without providing a plant description. However, according to Du Fu's poem "Autumn Rain Lament": "In the rain, a hundred grasses rot and die in autumn, yet the Cassia at the foot of the steps remains vividly colorful. Its leaves, full and lush, resemble emerald feather canopies, and its countless flowers bloom like golden coins." This should be a plant of the Cassia genus. As for records of Cassia after the Five Dynasties, it is even more certain that they refer to plants of the Cassia genus. The "Shu Bencao·Tujing" states: "Its leaves resemble alfalfa but are broader and larger, blooming in summer and bearing seed pods in autumn, with seeds resembling horse hooves, commonly known as horse-hoof Cassia." The "Bencao Yanyi" states: "Cassia Seed, the plant grows four to five feet tall, also used as a vegetable in spring, and deeply bears seed pods in autumn, with seeds inside the pods resembling sheep kidneys. Nowadays, it is widely cultivated in gardens and fields in Hunan and Hubei, either in villages or in sections. The 'Shu Ben Tujing' describes its leaves as resembling alfalfa but broader and larger, which is quite accurate." This Cassia should be the modern Cassia obtusifolia, and what the "Bencao Tujing" describes is likely the same species. The three medicinal illustrations of Cassia in the "Zhenglei" all depict odd-pinnate compound leaves (Figure 1), which might be due to drawing errors, but they indeed do not resemble Cassia obtusifolia. They might be similar to coffee senna seed Cassia occidentalis L. or Cassia sophera L.

The Bencao Gangmu categorizes Jue Ming into two types. Li Shi-zhen stated: "There are two types of Jue Ming. One is the Horse Hoof Jue Ming, with stems three to four feet tall, leaves larger than alfalfa, small at the base and broad at the tip, opening during the day and closing at night, sticking together in pairs. It blooms with pale yellow five-petaled flowers in summer and autumn, bearing pods like young thin cowpeas, five to six inches long, containing dozens of seeds arranged irregularly, resembling a horse's hoof, green in color, and is the best for eye medicine. The other type is Jiang Mang Jue Ming, known as the mountain Hyacinth Bean in Jiuhuang Bencao. Its seedlings resemble Horse Hoof Jue Ming, but are small at the base and pointed at the tip, similar to locust leaves, and do not close at night. It blooms with deep yellow five-petaled flowers in autumn, bearing pods as large as a little finger, about two inches long, with seeds arranged in rows, resembling yellow mallow but flat, brown in color, and tastes sweet and smooth." According to the description, Horse Hoof Jue Ming is likely the modern Cassia tora or Cassia obtusifolia, while Jiang Mang Jue Ming resembles coffee senna seed Cassia occidentalis. The use of coffee senna seed as Jue Ming is also mentioned in Jiuhuang Bencao, stating: "Many people today use its seeds as a substitute for feather cockscomb seed."

During the Tang and Song dynasties, it was common to use Jue Ming flowers and leaves as vegetables. For example, the "Dongjing Menghualu" records recipes such as Jue Ming dumplings and Jue Ming soup, which use Jue Ming as an ingredient. Therefore, Song people often cultivated Jue Ming. Su Zhe's poem "Planting Jue Ming" states: "In autumn, plant foxtail millet; in spring, plant Jue Ming. Jue Ming improves vision, as seen in materia medica. Eating its flowers and leaves also removes heat and irritation. It benefits people and can even satiate." Huang Tingjian's "Planting Jue Ming" says: "The emperor has rich seeds, Jue Ming is noted in medical texts. Cultivate a small plot, observe its lush growth. Its pale leaves are used in soups, its yellow flowers resemble horse hooves. After frost and rain, the harvest is complete." The "Nongsang Jiyao" Volume 6 quotes the "Sishi Lei Yao" on planting Jue Ming: "In February, sow seeds in beds, similar to planting sunflowers. Eat the leaves as they grow, until seeds form in autumn. If they become too old, fertilize and replant. For medicinal use, Horse Hoof Jue Ming is preferable." However, although Jue Ming is edible, plants of the Cassia genus contain varying amounts of anthraquinones, which can be harmful if consumed long-term. Wu Qijun's view is worth noting: "I believe that the ancient agricultural texts determined grains and vegetables based on what people could eat regularly. Many plants can fill the stomach, but prolonged consumption can cause harm, hence they are not cultivated. Jue Ming tastes bitter and cold. Mixed with Wuwei, it can still be balanced. But if used to brew tea, what dispels wind can also induce wind."

bubble_chart Historical Changes in Authentic Sources

The Bencao Jing states that Jue Ming "grows in the wetlands of nulliparous vaginal orifice," and the "Ji Zhu" says "it is found everywhere today," but this likely does not refer to the modern species. After the Tang and Song dynasties, Jue Ming was recognized as a plant of the Cassia genus, produced in various regions without a clear authentic source. The "Qianjin Yifang" records that Cassia Seed is produced in Guangzhou. The "Shu Bencao" states it is produced in Guangzhou and Guizhou. Although the "Bencao Tujing" says "it is found everywhere today, cultivated in gardens," the "Zheng Lei" depicts Jue Ming from Meizhou in Sichuan and Chuzhou in Anhui, suggesting that these regions produced higher quality Jue Ming at the time. According to the "Sanshan Zhi" from the Chunxi era, Fuzhou produces Cassia Seed with "leaves like locust, yellow flowers, and seeds like Mung Bean but pointed." The "Chicheng Zhi" records that Taizhou in Zhejiang also produces feather cockscomb seed. The "Wuxing Beizhi" by Dong Sizhang of the Ming Dynasty records that Huzhou annually tributes five catties of feather cockscomb seed to Nanjing and forty-five catties to the Ministry of Rites. In the Qing Dynasty, Cassia Seed also did not show a dominant authentic source, but the "Fujian Tongzhi" records Cassia Seed production in Fuzhou, Xinghua, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and Yongchun, suggesting that Fujian was a major producer of Cassia Seed at the time.