Cowherb Seed Shell Pieces (Vaccaria Hispanica)

Cowherb Seed Shell Pieces (Vaccaria hispanica) are the dried outer coverings of the Cowherb seed, a plant long valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its circulatory, lactation-promoting, and blood-regulating properties. Known in TCM as Wang Bu Liu Xing, meaning “seeds that do not stay in one place,” this herb symbolizes movement and flow, reflecting its traditional use to stimulate qi and blood circulation throughout the body.

In TCM, the Cowherb Seed and its shell are described as bitter and neutral, entering the Liver and Stomach channels. They are used to invigorate blood, promote lactation, and reduce swelling, making them especially beneficial for breast tenderness, menstrual discomfort, and stagnant or painful swellings. The shell retains many of the same circulatory and dispersing properties as the inner seed, with a gentler energetic profile suitable for external or decoction use.

Folk practitioners have traditionally used Vaccaria Seed Shell in herbal compresses and decoctions to encourage milk flow, relieve bruises, and improve local circulation. When applied topically, it is thought to reduce hardness and inflammation caused by stagnation or congestion.

Modern phytochemical studies of Vaccaria hispanica identify the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and triterpenes, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, microcirculatory, and galactagogue (milk-promoting) effects. These compounds align closely with the herb’s traditional applications for stagnation, reproductive health, and postpartum recovery.

Each batch of Cowherb Seed Shell Pieces (Vaccaria hispanica) is carefully separated and sun-dried to preserve its light brown color, smooth texture, and mild aroma. When simmered or steeped, it produces a subtle, earthy infusion used in external washes, compresses, or mild circulation-enhancing teas.