It is the seed of the cruciferous plant turnip (Brassica rapa L.), which is cultivated throughout the country. The entire plant is cut when the seeds mature in late spring and early summer, the seeds are rubbed off, impurities are removed, and then dried.

The flower of this plant (turnip flower) is also used for medicinal purposes.

bubble_chart Morphological Characteristics

Turnip is a biennial herbaceous plant, reaching up to 90 cm in height. The root is fleshy, spherical, oblate, or sometimes elongated oval, with fibrous roots mostly growing on the taproot beneath the tuber. The stem is erect, with branches at the upper part. The basal leaves are green, pinnately deeply lobed, long and narrow, 30-50 cm in length, with one-third being a slender petiole bearing few small lobes or sessile leaflets. The terminal lobe is the largest and blunt, with wavy or shallowly lobed margins, while the other lobes decrease in size downwards, resembling a lyre in shape, with scattered white bristles on the upper surface and denser on the lower surface. The lower stem leaves resemble the basal leaves, clasping the stem or with a petiole; the upper stem leaves are usually oblong or lanceolate, not lobed, sessile, and clasping the stem. The raceme is long, with small, bright yellow flowers about 7 mm in length; there are 4 sepals in 2 rows, spreading; 4 petals in a cross shape, with long claws; 6 stamens, 4 of which are strong; 1 pistil, with a superior ovary, 1-chambered, divided into a false 2-chambered by a membranous partition. The silique is cylindrical, 3.5-6 cm in length, with a slender beak. It blooms in spring.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

1. Gangmu: bitter and acrid, neutral, nontoxic.
2. Yilin Zuanyao Tanyuan: acrid, cold.

1. Bencao Zaixin: Act on liver and spleen meridians.
2. 《Summary of materia medica》: act on hand taiyin and foot jueyin meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Improving vision, clearing heat, and draining dampness.

bubble_chart Indications

Treats bluish blindness (optic atrophy), dim vision, jaundice, dysentery, and difficulty in urination.

1. Bielu: Mainly improves vision.
2. 《Qianjin·Shizhi》: Treats jaundice and promotes urination.
3. Tang Bencao: Mainly treats dim vision.
4. Meng Shen: Treats heat jaundice and constipation.
5. Bencao Shiyi: Mix with oil to apply on spider bites, fearing the poison entering the flesh, also pound into powder and take with wine.
6. Bencao Beiyao: Clears heat and removes toxins, promotes water metabolism and improves vision. Treats children's bloody dysentery and all kinds of sores and ulcers.
7. Yilin Zuanyao Tanyuan: Benefits the liver and moves qi, removes stagnant heat, attacks abdominal masses, and kills worms and toxins.

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

For internal use: decoct in water, 1-3 qian; or grind into powder. For external use: grind into powder and apply as a paste.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

1. Bencao Congxin: Suitable for real heat, avoid in cases of deficiency cold.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Contains 7.24 to 8.55 milligrams per gram of volatile isothiocyanates.

bubble_chart Selected Prescriptions

1. To treat bluish blindness (optic atrophy) with intact pupils: Take six sheng of Turnip Seed, steam until the vapor permeates, then remove from the steamer and pour hot water from the pot over it. Dry it in the sun, repeat the process three times, then grind into powder. Take a square-cun spoonful with clear wine before meals, twice daily. (From "Hai Shang Ji Yan Fang")
2. To nourish the liver and improve vision: Take three sheng of Turnip Seed, wash thoroughly, cook with three sheng of clear wine until done, then dry in the sun and sift. Mix with well water and take a square-cun spoonful, gradually increasing to three spoonfuls, without any dietary restrictions. Can be prepared in small amounts. Consuming it makes one plump and improves vision significantly. It can also be taken with wine after boiling in water. (From "Qianjin Fang Turnip Seed Powder")
3. To treat jaundice with golden skin and eyes, and red urine: Take raw Turnip Seed powder, mix with hot water, and take a square-cun spoonful three times a day. (From "Sun Zhenren Dietary Contraindications")
4. To treat difficulty in urination during pregnancy: Take Turnip Seed powder with water, a square-cun spoonful twice daily. (From "Zi Mu Secret Records")
5. To treat anuria and vomiting with blocked urination and defecation: Take one ge of Turnip Seed oil on an empty stomach, which will relieve the blockage. Do not be alarmed if sweating occurs afterward. (From "Shenghui Fang")
6. To treat rubella entering the abdomen, causing body stiffness and dry tongue: Take three liang of Turnip Seed powder, take with warm wine, a coin-sized amount each time. (From "Shenghui Fang")
7. To treat sudden snake-head whitlow (felon) on hands, feet, or shoulders, appearing like grains of rice or beans, with juice oozing out, treat urgently: Cook Turnip Seed until soft, mash, and wrap around the affected area, changing continuously day and night. (From "Buque Zhouhou Fang")