What it is:
This herb is the ripe seed of Cannabis sativa L. (family Moraceae), produced in every part of China. The seeds are dried in sunlight after collection in autumn, broken before using.

Property:
Sweet in flavour, neutral in property, acting on the stomach and large intestine channels.

Effects:
Moistening the bowels to relieve constipation.

Used for:
For the constipation due to deficiency of body fluid and blood deficiency in the aged and weak patients and puerpera, it is often used with Chinese angelica and prepared rehmannia root, as in Pill for Replenishing the Blood and Moistening the Bowels (Yixue Runchang Wan); in cases of constipa- tion due to impair- ment of yin by pathogenic heat or constitution of fire exuberance, or constipation asso- ciated with hemor- rhoids, and habitual constipation, it can be used with rhubarb and immature bitter orange, as in Hemp Seed Pill (Mazi ren Wan).

Dosage and administration: 10- 30g, decocted in water for an oral dose.