The efficacy and function of catalpa ovata bark

The development of Western medicine has brought some crises to traditional Chinese medicine. But traditional Chinese medicine still has many magical aspects. Let’s talk about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Catalpa ovata bark.

[Other names] Dingtong bark, Dingpi (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica), Cishu bark (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine).

[Source] It is the bark of the Araliaceae plant. It can be harvested throughout the year. Peel off the bark, wash and dry it.

[Original form] Catalpa ovata (Compendium of Materia Medica for Famine Relief), also known as: drum nail thorn, thorn maple tree, thorny maple, cloud catalpa, thorny catalpa, Dingmu tree, bird-free tree, mountain tiger, Dingpi tree, Dingtong tree, goose-foot board tree, thorny Chinese toon, duck-foot board leaf.

[Habitat distribution] It grows in valleys, stream sides, forest edges or sparse woods. Distributed all over the country. Produced in Sichuan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Guizhou and other places.

[Properties] The dry bark is in the form of rolls or strips, with varying lengths and widths, and 1 to 2 mm thick. The cork is rough, with grayish white to grayish brown surface, deep longitudinal cracks and small transverse cracks, scattered yellow dot-like lenticels, and longitudinal thorns; the thorns are 1 to 3 cm long, 5 to 10 mm wide, grayish white with black spots, sharp or blunt tips, and oblong bases; the thorns fall off, revealing the yellow inner bark. The inner surface is yellow or purple-red, smooth, and has vertical lines. The texture is hard and the fracture surface is flake-like. Weak smell, bitter taste. The best ones are dry, thick-skinned and have many thorns.

[Chemical composition] The bark and leaves contain 13-30% tannins, and the bark and heartwood contain polyacetylene compounds. The stems and leaves have cardiac glycoside and anthraquinone glycoside reactions. The seeds contain 38.65% fatty oil.

[Preparation] Wash with water, remove the thorns, soak thoroughly, cut into shreds, and dry in the sun.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter and pungent, neutral.

【Meridian】 "Sichuan Chinese Medicine Annals": "enters the spleen and stomach meridians."

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind, remove dampness, kill insects and promote blood circulation. Treat rheumatic pain, pain in the waist and knees, carbuncle, sore and ringworm.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3 to 5 qian. For external use: decoct in water for washing, mash and apply, or grind into powder and apply.

[Note] Tree branches are used as shelter for birds in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Please refer to the entry for "Stay away from birds".

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica".

This article introduces some basic knowledge about the medicinal material Catalpa ovata bark. Catalpa ovata bark is very effective in treating some related diseases of the human body. Moreover, the bark of the thorny tree has a certain conditioning effect on the body and can be consumed in moderation at ordinary times.