Hemp Seed

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

• Moistens dryness and relieves constipation - Ma Zi Ren is the classic formula-facing name for hemp seed in bowel-dryness patterns, especially the 'Pi Yue' constipation tradition.
• Softens stool without harsh purging - it is chosen when the treatment strategy needs lubrication plus gentle movement rather than drastic draining.
• Supports deficiency-pattern constipation - classical use particularly fits patients who are dry, depleted, postpartum, or elderly rather than robust excess cases.

Secondary Actions

• This record preserves the formula-facing Ma Zi Ren identity rather than duplicating the broader Huo Ma Ren food-medicine entry word for word.
• In practice the two names often overlap, but Ma Zi Ren most strongly evokes the classical bowel formula tradition anchored by Ma Zi Ren Wan.

Classic Formulas

• Ma Zi Ren Wan - the canonical Shang Han Lun formula for Pi Yue constipation built around hemp seed lubrication, Bai Shao nourishment, and mild downward movement.
• Run Chang Wan-style moistening combinations - later traditions using Ma Zi Ren when dryness, weak fluids, and difficult stool coexist.
• Post-illness and postpartum bowel formulas - hemp seed paired with qi-supportive or blood-restoring herbs so that bowel movement is restored without injury to the patient.

Classical References

• Classical formula teaching preserves Ma Zi Ren as the signature moistening seed for dry-bound constipation, especially in the Ma Zi Ren Wan lineage.
• The same official modern Chinese herb references that describe Huo Ma Ren also reinforce the seed's role in elderly, postpartum, and deficiency-dryness constipation.