The efficacy and function of Chinese honey locust

For many Chinese people, traditional Chinese medicine is very trustworthy because it has a long history and few side effects. China soapberry is a common Chinese medicinal material, which has many benefits for human health. So how can we eat China soapberry? Let’s learn about it below.

【source】

Medicinal material source: The fruit of the leguminous plant Gleditsia sinensis.

[Original form]

South China honey locust tree, 3-42m tall. Branchlets gray-brown, glabrous. The thorns are thick, 5-13cm long, cylindrical at the base, and branched. Odd-pinnate compound leaves; petiole with grooves; leaflets 5-9 pairs, thin leathery, rhombic-oblong, 2-7 (-12) cm long, 1.5-3 (-5) cm wide, rounded or slightly concave at the apex, cuneate at the base, with crenate-serrate margins, glabrous on both sides, with obvious veins on both sides. Flowers are heterosexual, greenish-white, and arranged in panicles; sepals are slightly shorter than petals; petals are usually 5 in number, oblong-elliptical; stamens are 10; filaments have long soft hairs at base. The pods are nearly sessile, flat, leathery, 13.5-26 (-41) cm long, 2.5-3 (-6.5) cm wide, dark brown, shiny, and hairless. There are 10-12 seeds, which are flat-ovate, smooth, brown, 8-11 (-14) mm long and 5-6 (-11) mm wide. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is June-December.

【Habitat distribution】

Ecological environment: Grown in sparse woods.

【Chemical composition】

The whole plant and fruit contain saponins. poisonous. It also contains ceryl alcohol.

【Nature and flavor】

Bitter; Pungent; Warm; Slightly Toxic

【Meridian】

Liver Meridian

【Function and indications】

It can clear away phlegm and open up the mind; it can stop itching caused by insects. Mainly used for coma caused by stroke; muteness; scabies; stubborn ringworm

【Usage and Dosage】

For internal use: mostly in the form of pills or powders. For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing; or mash and apply; or burn and grind into powder for application.

【Notice】

Pregnant women should not take it.

【Discussions by Various Schools】

"Xinhua Materia Medica Outline": The whole plant and fruit have insecticidal and cleansing functions. It can be used to wash scabies, kill insects, etc.

【extract】

Chinese Materia Medica

The above only introduces some of the effects and functions of Chinese soapberry. In fact, it has other effects, which I will not introduce here one by one. If you are interested, you can take a look at the effects and matters recorded in medical books.