Source The unripe dried fruit of Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb.et Zucc.
Producing Areas Mainly in Sichuan, Fujian, Guizhou, Hunan, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangdon.
Properties Sour, Astringent, Neutra.
Channels Liver, Spleen, Lung, Large Intestine.
ACTION
- Astringes the lung and treats cough
- Astringes the intestines and arrests diarrhoea
- Produces body fluid to quench thirst
- Calms ascaris to alleviate pain
For insufficiency of qi in the lung that results in chronic cough and asthma. For deficiency of stomach-yin, dry mouth, thirst or diabetes due to heat deficiency.
Usage and Dosage
The crude herb is for astringing the lung, promoting production of body fluid and relieving suppurative infection (infection with pus).
The carbonised form is to stop diarrhoea and bleeding.
5–15 g is used in decoction for oral use. Large dosage up to 30 g can be used. May also be used in pills and powder.
Pounded herb or carbonised form (powder) can be used externally.
Notes
Used with caution in the case of exogenous factors or stagnation of sthenic heat.
Storage
Keep in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Protect from dampness.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is big in size, has a thick and soft fruit flesh and a sour flavour.
Professional Tips
Beware of fake products
The fake ones are usually made from plum (lizi) and apricot (xingzi). It is small in size, with wrinkles on the pit. The apricot’s pit is smooth on the surface and thick on one side with grooved ridges.
