The efficacy and function of camptotheca

What are the functions of the fruit of the camptotheca? As a traditional Chinese medicine, the fruit of the camptotheca can not only be used to treat diseases, but can also be combined with some other medicinal materials to make medicinal food, which has a very good effect on regulating the human body. Today we will introduce the fruit of the camptotheca.

【English name】 Fructus Camptothecae Acuminatae

【Other names】 Thousand-foot tree, water chestnut, Tianzi tree

[Source] It is the fruit of Camptotheca acuminata Decne., a plant of the Davidiaceae family. The fruits are harvested in autumn when they are ripe but have not yet fallen off, and then sun-dried.

【Original form】Large deciduous tree. The leaves are alternate, ovate-rectangular or ovate-elliptical, 7-18 cm long, 5-10 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, rounded or broadly cuneate at the base, entire, ciliated on the margin, with 10-11 pairs of pinnae; the petiole is red with sparse hairs. The flowers are monoecious and form spherical head inflorescences; the calyx has 5 teeth; the petals are 5 and green; the male flower has 10 stamens; the female flower has an inferior ovary with 1 chamber, a 3-lobed stigma and a distinct disk. Infructescence spherical. The flowering period is August, and the fruiting period is October to November.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in relatively humid places below 1000m above sea level; some are cultivated. It is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan.

[Properties] The fruit is lanceolate, 2-2.5 cm long, 5-7 mm wide, with a pointed tip and stigma residue; the base is narrowed, and oval pits can be seen on the disk, with wings on both sides. The surface is brown to brown-black, slightly shiny, with longitudinal wrinkles, and sometimes several angular edges and black spots can be seen. It is tough and not easy to break. The cross section is fibrous. It contains one seed, which shrinks into thin strips. Tastes bitter.

[Chemical composition] Contains camptothecine, venoterpine, 10-hydroxycamptothecine, 10-methoxycamptothecine, betulic acid, vincoside-lactam, etc.

[Nature and flavor] Cold in nature, bitter and astringent in taste; poisonous.

[Functions and indications] Anti-cancer, dispersing nodules, breaking up blood and removing blood stasis. It is used for various tumors, such as gastric cancer, intestinal cancer, choriocarcinoma, lymphosarcoma, etc.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Through the detailed introduction of this article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of the functions and effects of camptotheca. The several functions and effects introduced in the article are relatively common. I hope everyone can remember them and they will be helpful in your life.