It is the seed that is traditionally used for medicinal purposes as well as can be used to extract an essential oil. Within China this plant is mentioned in a book written between 200 and 250 AD titled " The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica". In chinese medicine these cnidium seeds have been used in herbal mixtures to warm the kidneys and strength yang energy. It is also known as a strong a p h r o d i s i a c to which has been recommended by Chinese practitioners to treat male i m p o t e n c e.

Medical testing on the herb has been mostly restricted to small rodents such as rats and there is some evidence of its ability to boost blood flow but testing is not conclusive and more research needs to be carried out. In terms of will the herb work for you, as with all herbal remedies, you need to try it and see – some men find it effective and others don't but it's safe to take for all men so try it and see. Also keep in mind, it has been prescribed for thousands of years, to help men boost s e x drive and get harder e r e c t i o n s so it's worth trying and seeing its effects.

Cnidium seeds exhibit an antiseptic and disinfectant property and can be commonly found in lotions, powders and ointments to treat skin conditions such as ringworm, scabies and eczema.

Cnidium monnieri has properties that are similiar to prescribed d r u g s such as V i a g r a, t a d a l a f i l, v a r d e n a f i l and a v a n a f i l. The primary bioactive ingredient found within is known as Osthole. According to scientists at the Second Military Medical University in Shanghai China, these seeds contain over 350 various phytonutrient compounds. The main one being called Coumarins.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states, “Active constituents of cnidium are thought to be the coumarin derivatives including osthol, imperatorin, isopimpinellin, xanthotoxin, and bergapten. Additional coumarins have also been identified including cnidimonal, cnidimarin, and others.

Chinese researchers stated, “In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that osthole and other coumarin compounds possess wide range of pharmacological properties for the treatment of male i m p o t e n c e, frigidity, skin-related diseases, and exhibit strong antipruritic, anti-allergic, antidermatophytic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-osteoporotic effects.”