The efficacy and function of Gleditsia sinensis

As a traditional Chinese medicine, soapberry provides us with a variety of nutrients. It can also solve some diseases encountered by the body, so it is deeply loved by people. Let’s take a look at the nutrients and benefits of soapberry.

[Other names] Chicken quince (Guangzhi), soap bean (Zuohoufang), big soap bean (Qianjinfang), long soap bean (Bencao Tujing), hanging knife (Waidan Bencao), long soap bean (Renzai Zhizhi Fang), big soap bean (Compendium of Materia Medica).

[Source] It is the fruit of the leguminous plant Gleditsia sinensis . The fruits are picked in autumn when they are ripe and dried.

[Original form] Deciduous tree, up to 15 meters high. The spines are thick, reddish brown and often branched. Even-pinnate compound leaves; 4 to 7 pairs of leaflets, leaflets ovate, ovate-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, 3 to 8 cm long, 1 to 3.5 cm wide, obtuse at apex, sometimes slightly convex, base obliquely rounded or obliquely cuneate, with fine serrations on margins. The flowers are heterogamous, in axillary and terminal racemes, with fine soft hairs on the flowers; the calyx is bell-shaped, with 4 lobes, ovate-lanceolate; there are 4 petals, pale yellowish white, ovate or oblong; there are 8 stamens, 4 long and 4 short; the ovary is linear and flat. The pods are straight, flat, shiny, purple-black, covered with white powdery frost, 12 to 30 cm long and 2 to 4 cm in diameter. The seeds are numerous, flat, oblong, about 10 mm long, reddish brown and shiny. Flowering period is May. Fruiting period is October.

[Habitat distribution] It grows near villages, roadsides, and in sunny and warm places. It is distributed in most parts of the country. The main production areas are Hebei, Shanxi, Henan and Shandong. In addition, it is also produced in Northeast China and Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Sichuan and other places.

[Properties] The dried pods are long and flat, or slightly curved, 15 to 25 cm long, 2 to 3.5 cm wide, and 0.8 to 1.4 cm thick. The surface is uneven, reddish brown or purple-red, covered with grayish white powder, which becomes shiny after being wiped off. The two ends are slightly pointed, with a short fruit stalk or a broken fruit stalk at the base, and the dorsal suture protrudes into a ridge-like shape. It is hard and makes a sound when shaken. When cut open, it is light yellow and contains many seeds. The seeds are flat and oval, with a smooth yellow-brown skin and a hard texture. The smell is pungent and sniffing the powder will cause sneezing. The best ones are thick, plump and firm.

[Chemical composition] The pods contain triterpenoid saponins and tannins. In addition, it also contains wax alcohol, nonaconic acid, stigmasterol, sitosterol, etc.

【Pharmacological Action】 ① General characteristics of saponins

[Processing] Pick out impurities, wash and dry. Crush when using.

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, warm, slightly toxic.

【Functions and indications】 Expelling wind and phlegm, removing dampness and toxins, and killing insects. It is used to treat facial paralysis, headache, cough, phlegm and asthma caused by stroke, bloody stool due to intestinal wind, lockjaw due to diarrhea, carbuncle, stool poison, sore, ringworm, scabies and leprosy.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral administration: grind into powder or make into pills, 3 to 5 fen. For external use: decoct in water for washing, mash or burn and grind into powder for application.

【Note】 Pregnant women should not take this medicine.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating deviated mouth caused by stroke: 1 liang of Gleditsia sinensis (peel and seeds removed, grind into powder and sieve). Use three-year-old vinegar to mix, apply the left crooked part to the right, then the right crooked part to the left, and apply it again when it is dry. (Qianjin Fang)

【Clinical application】 ①Treatment of ascariasis intestinal obstruction

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Shennong's Herbal Classic".

Soapberry is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, soapberry should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.