The efficacy and function of bitterwood leaves

The world is full of wonders, and Chinese medicinal materials are also varied and varied. Here I would like to introduce to you a Chinese medicinal material, bitter wood leaf.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The leaves of the plant Simaroubaceae.

[Original form] Quercus, deciduous shrub or small tree, 7-10m high. The bark is gray-black, the young branches are gray-green, glabrous, and have obvious yellow lenticels. Odd-pinnate compound leaves are alternate, often clustered at the ends of branches, 20-30cm long; leaflets are 9-15, ovate-lanceolate to broadly ovate, 4-10cm long, 2-4cm wide, acuminate at the apex, broadly cuneate at the base, asymmetrical on both sides, with irregular serrations at the margins; dichotomous cymes are axillary, with a peduncle up to 12cm long, densely pubescent; flowers are polygamous, yellow-green; sepals are 4-5, ovate, pubescent; petals are 4-5, obovate, about twice as long as sepals; stamens are 4-5, inserted at the base of a 4-5-lobed disk; female flowers are smaller than male flowers, with an ovate ovary, 4-5 chambers, 4-5 styles, twisted and embracing each other, and fused at the base. The drupe is obovate, fleshy, blue to red, 3-4 in number, and has a persistent calyx at the base. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is August-September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in moist and fertile mountains below 2400m above sea level, forest edges, streams, roadsides, etc.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The leaves are odd-pinnate compound leaves, easy to fall off; the leaflets are ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, 4-16cm long and 1.5-6cm wide; the apex is sharp, the base is oblique or slightly rounded, nearly sessile, and the petiole is pubescent; the margin is bluntly serrated, the leaf surface is usually green, some are light purple-red, and there are pubescent leaves along the midrib. It has a faint smell and tastes extremely bitter.

[Identification] Take 2g of crude powder of this product, add 20ml of ethanol, reflux on a water bath for 1h, filter while hot, add a small amount of activated carbon to the filtrate, decolorize it with warm heat, and filter it. The filtrate is subjected to the following tests: 1. Take 2 drops of the filtrate and place them on filter paper, evaporate the ethanol, and observe under ultraviolet light. It will show blue fluorescence, and blue-green fluorescence when it comes into contact with alkaline solution.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cold; Slightly toxic

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; dries dampness and kills insects. Mainly used for sores, furuncles, carbuncles, swellings, tinea corporis, burns, and bleeding from trauma

[Usage and Dosage] For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing; grind but not sprinkle; or mix and apply; or crush fresh product and apply.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

I believe that through the detailed introduction of bitter wood leaves in this article, everyone can understand the efficacy and medicinal properties of bitter wood leaves. I hope this helps you all.