The efficacy and function of camphor fruit

Everyone is familiar with camphor fruit, of course some people are relatively unfamiliar with it. In fact, camphor fruit is a relatively common Chinese medicinal material. So what exactly does camphor fruit do?

[Source] It is the fruit of Litsea cubeba, a plant of the Lauraceae family . Harvested from August to September.

[Original form] Shrub or small tree, 3 to 5 meters high. Branches brown-red. The leaves are alternate, narrowly oblong or lanceolate-elliptic, 4-6 cm long, 1.7-2.5 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, cuneate at the base, entire, initially sparsely pubescent on both sides, then gradually falling off, with red lateral veins and raised on both sides; the petiole is up to 1.2 cm long. Dioecious; umbel with 10-12 flowers, opening after leaves; pedicel 3-5 mm long, densely pubescent; small flowers, 6 tepals, light yellow, elliptical; 9 fertile stamens, glabrous filaments, anthers in chambers, inward-dehiscing. The fruit is oval, green when young and purple-black when ripe.

[Habitat distribution] Grown on hillsides and under forests. Distributed in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Tibet and other places.

[Nature and flavor] Slightly warm in nature, spicy in taste.

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and cold, help digestion and relieve stagnation. Treat gastroenteritis, abdominal pain due to cold stomach, food stagnation, and abdominal distension.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 0.5-1.5 qian.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

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