Pinyin: Huomaren
Aliases
Maziren, Maren, Damaren, Huomazi
Source
Mulberry family plant Cannabis sativa L.Cannabis sativaL. of dried ripe seeds.
Botanical Description
Annual herb, 1-3 m tall. Stem erect, surface with longitudinal grooves, densely covered with short soft hairs, cortex rich in fibers, base lignified. Palmate leaves alternate or lower ones opposite, completely divided into 3-11 lobes, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, both ends acuminate, margins with coarse serrations, upper surface dark green with coarse hairs, lower surface densely covered with gray-white felt-like hairs; petiole 4-15 cm long, covered with short woolly hairs; stipules small, free, lanceolate. Flowers unisexual, dioecious; male inflorescence a loose panicle, terminal or axillary; male flowers with 5 perianth segments. Female flowers clustered in leaf axils, greenish-yellow, each flower subtended by an ovate bract, perianth small and membranous. Achenes ovoid, 4-5 mm long, hard, gray-brown, with fine reticulate markings. Enclosed by persistent yellowish-brown bracts. Flowering period May to June, fruiting period July to August.
Habitat and Distribution
It is cultivated throughout China, with some semi-wild populations. Distributed in the Northeast, North China, East China, and Central-South regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest in autumn when the fruit is ripe, remove impurities, and dry in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
This product is ovoid, 4-5.5 mm long, 2.5-4 mm in diameter. The surface is gray-green or gray-yellow, with fine white or brown reticulate patterns, ridges on both sides, a slightly pointed apex, and a circular fruit stalk scar at the base. The pericarp is thin and brittle, easily broken. The seed coat is green, with 2 cotyledons that are milky white and rich in oil. Odor: faint; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains trigonelline, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, tetrahydrocannabinol, and other components.
Pharmacology
Lowers blood pressure; reduces cholesterol.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels.
Functions and Indications
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels. Used for Blood deficiency and fluid depletion with dry Intestines and constipation.
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct in water, 10-15 g; or made into pills or powder. External: appropriate amount, pounded for application; or decocted for washing.
Precautions and Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of loose stools, impotence, nocturnal emission, and leukorrhea due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency.
Prescriptions
1. For constipation and difficult bowel movements: Huomaren (hemp seed) and sesame seeds, one cup each (lightly stir-fried, grind to extract juice), Taoren (peach kernel, remove skin and tip) and Jingjiesui (schizonepeta spike) 30 g each. Grind into powder, add a pinch of salt, decoct and drink as tea, continue until bowel movements become normal. (From *Weisheng Jianyi Fang*) 2. For scalds and burns: Huomaren (hemp seed), Huangbai (phellodendron bark), and Huangzhizi (gardenia fruit), grind together into powder, mix with lard and apply topically. (From *Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica*, 1960 edition) 3. For hair loss or failure to regrow: Huomaren (hemp seed) one sheng (approx. 1 liter or 1 cup). Stir-fry until blackened, press to extract oil, apply oil to the scalp, hair will gradually grow back. (From *Weisheng Yi Jian Fang*)
