Wang Bu Liu Xing (王不留行) — Vaccaria Seed: TCM Uses, Lactation & Ear Seeds

At a Glance

Herb: Wang Bu Liu Xing
Chinese name: 王不留行 (Wáng Bù Liú Xíng)
Latin name: Vaccaria segetalis seed
Nature: Neutral
Taste: Bitter
Meridian: Liver / Stomach
Category: Herbs that Invigorate Blood and Resolve Stasis
Introduction: Wang Bu Liu Xing (王不留行), the dried ripe seed of Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke (cow soapwort / corn cockle family), has a name meaning ‘even a king cannot make it stay’ — reflecting its powerful ability to keep blood and milk flowing. Recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, it is the primary herb in TCM for insufficient lactation and breast disorders, and also promotes menstruation and reduces swellings. Beyond internal use, the seeds are perhaps most widely known today as the standard material for auricular acupressure (ear seeds / 耳穴贴压), where they are taped over auricular points to provide continuous stimulation. Modern pharmacology has confirmed saponins (vaccaroside) and flavonoids with estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and mammary-stimulating activities.

Activates blood and promotes menstruation — treats amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea
Promotes lactation — the primary herb for insufficient breast milk production
Reduces swellings and disperses masses — treats mastitis, breast abscesses, and nodules
Promotes urination — secondary action for urinary difficulty

Insufficient lactation after childbirth — combined with Mu Tong, Chuan Shan Jia, Dang Gui
Breast distension and pain, mastitis, breast nodules and masses
Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea from blood stasis
Urinary calculi — promotes passage of kidney stones combined with Jin Qian Cao
Auricular acupressure: seeds taped to ear points for pain management, insomnia, and addiction

Standard dose: 5–10 g in decoction
Contraindicated in pregnancy — activates blood and promotes movement; may cause miscarriage
Contraindicated in patients without blood stasis who are breastfeeding normally — excessive use may cause over-supply issues
Use with caution in blood deficiency
Stir-frying (炒王不留行) causes the seeds to pop, increasing surface area and potency

Tong Ru Dan (通乳丹): Wang Bu Liu Xing, Mu Tong, Chuan Shan Jia, Dang Gui, Huang Qi, Zhu Ti (pig’s trotters) — promotes lactation and tonifies qi-blood
Combined with Pu Gong Ying, Zao Jiao Ci, Tian Hua Fen for mastitis and breast abscess
Combined with Jin Qian Cao, Hai Jin Sha, Che Qian Zi for urinary stones
Ear seed protocol (耳穴贴压): single seeds taped with adhesive to auricular points — standard non-invasive acupressure tool

穿山甲 (Chuān Shān Jiǎ) — classic pair: promotes lactation and unblocks milk ducts; breast distension with insufficient lactation (下乳涌泉散). 2. 路路通 (Lù Lù Tōng) + 漏芦 (Lòu Lú) — insufficient lactation from qi and blood stagnation. 3. 蒲公英 (Pú Gōng Yīng) + 瓜蒌 (Guā Lóu) — mastitis with heat and swelling. 4. 石韦 (Shí Wéi) + 冬葵子 (Dōng Kuí Zǐ) — urinary stones with dysuria. 5. 当归 (Dāng Guī) + 川芎 (Chuān Xiōng) — dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea from blood stasis. Source: 本草纲目, 济阴纲目 (下乳涌泉散).

segetalins
- Galactagogue: stimulate prolactin release
- Galactagogue: promote mammary gland development and milk secretion
vaccaroside
- Uterine stimulant: increases uterine contraction frequency and amplitude — contraindicated in pregnancy
Anticoagulant
- inhibits platelet aggregation
- reduces fibrinogen levels
isovitexin
- Anti-inflammatory: suppresses COX-2 and NF-κB
- Anti-inflammatory: reduces paw edema in carrageenan models
Diuretic and stone-expelling
- relaxes ureteral smooth muscle
- promotes passage of small urinary calculi
cyclopeptides
- Anticancer: induce apoptosis in MCF-7 breast and HeLa cervical cancer lines

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》): ‘Governs metal wounds, stops bleeding and expels pain, expels thorns, eliminates wind impediment and internal cold; long-term use lightens the body, resists aging, and increases longevity.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Vaccaria Seed promotes blood vessel flow, promotes lactation, opens the channels — it moves and does not stay in one place; hence it is named Wang Bu Liu Xing (King Cannot Keep It).’
Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Moves blood and opens the channels, hastens delivery and promotes lactation, treats wind toxin, opens blood vessels, and eliminates wind impediment.’