The effects and functions of gall

Traditional Chinese medicine is very helpful in treating certain diseases, so you can feel free when choosing herbs. Gallic acid is a medicinal material that is not unfamiliar to us. Do you know its effects and functions? Let's take a look.

[Other names] Mo Shizi (Leigong Paozhi Lun), Wu Shizi (Yao Xing Lun), Mo Shizi (Zi Mu Mi Lu), Wu Shizi (Youyang Zazu), Ma Cha Ze (Fang Yu Zhi).

[Source] It is the larvae of the Gallicaphus in the family Gallicapidae, which parasitizes on the young branches of the Fagaceae plant Gallicaphus infectoria . Usually between August and September, galls that have not yet been perforated are collected and dried.

[Original form] Gallic wasp: small body, about 6 mm long. Black in color. There is a pair of compound eyes and three simple eyes on the head. There is a pair of antennae, which are straight and slender. There are two pairs of wings, which are membranous and transparent; the forewings have no marginal markings and few wing veins, and are flat when at rest. There are three pairs of feet, which are well developed. The abdomen is spherical and laterally flattened; there is a straight groove under the abdomen of the female insect, which contains the ovipositor. The larvae are maggot-shaped and extremely tiny.

[Habitat distribution] Produced in Greece, Türkiye, Iran and other places.

[Properties] Dry galls are slightly spherical with a short stalk; 1 to 2.5 cm in diameter, gray or gray-brown in appearance, with wart-like protrusions. It is hard and thick, with an uneven cross section, and is yellowish-white or light yellow and shiny. It is common to see dead bodies of young bees. If the insect has flown out, there will be a hole in the middle that is connected to the small holes on the surface, and there will be insect shells left inside. Odorless, tastes astringent and bitter. The better ones are those that are big, heavy and gray in color. Those with holes are of lower quality.

[Chemical composition] Contains 50-70% gallic tannin, 2-4% gallic acid, and gallic acid, resin, etc.

[Preparation] Wash, dry and mash.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, warm.

[entry into meridians] Enters the lung, spleen and kidney meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Strengthens Qi, astringes semen, strengthens the lungs and stops bleeding. It is used to treat loose bowel movement, diarrhea, blood in the stool, spermatorrhea, genital sweating, cough, hemoptysis, toothache, bleeding from trauma, and ulcers that do not heal for a long time.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 2 to 4 qian; or made into pills or powder. For external use: grind into powder and sprinkle or apply on affected area.

[Note] Do not take this medicine if you have diarrhea at the beginning, or if there is internal accumulation of damp-heat or stagnation.

[Additional prescription] ① To treat diarrhea and dysentery in children, and weakness: use half a liang of the skin of the Herba Terminaliae (slightly simmered) and the Herba Terminaliae (simmered). For fine dispersion. Take half a penny of each dose with porridge, three to four times a day. Add or subtract quantity. (Meishizisan from Pujifang)

【Discussions by various scholars】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Myrica chinensis has the function of strengthening the kidney and Qi. It is used to treat nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, impotence, toothache, cold abdominal diarrhea, sores that do not heal, constant sweating, all kinds of false fire floating up, and weak kidney Qi. Take its bitterness to strengthen the kidney, and its warmth to warm the stomach and strengthen the spleen, so that Qi can be pressed into the Dantian and not leak out, and all diseases can be cured. As for the book's words "sedating the mind and calming the soul", it also means that the spirit and Qi are already gathered and not floating outward. Others, such as burning black ash to boil soup to treat Yin poison, mixing with other medicines to dye beards and hair, and grinding into powder to rub teeth, all rely on its astringent power for protection."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Bencao Bencao" (Compendium of Materia Medica).

The above is a detailed analysis of gallic acid. Now that you have learned about the various effects of gallic acid, you must remember these effects so that when you encounter these problems, you can use the magical effects of gallic acid to restore their health and happiness.