1. Description
Flowering quince (scientific name: Chaenomeles speciosa, also known as chaenomeles, Chinese quince, or Japanese quince, Chinese Pinyin: Zhou Pi Mu Gua, Simplified Chinese: 皱皮木瓜), is a species of thorny deciduous or semi-evergreen, fruit bearing shrub in genus Chaenomeles in the rose family, Rosaceae. The plant can grow up to 200 cm tall. Habitats of flowering quince include hillside, stream banks, village margins, fields and roadsides. Native to eastern Asia with a long history of cultivation, the plant is now extensively cultivated in temperate regions around the world. Characteristics of flowering quince include tolerance for cold, heat, drought and adaptation to barren land. The dried fruits of flowering quince are used as muscles and joints relaxant, stomach tonic and antiphlogistic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis and abdominal bloating.
Other simplified Chinese names for flowering quince include: 木瓜, 贴梗海棠, 铁脚梨, 川木瓜, 贴梗海棠, 贴梗木瓜, 茂, 木桃, 狭叶木瓜, 毛叶木瓜, 木瓜海棠.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels
The dried fruit of flowering quince is considered to have sour and warm properties and to be associated with the liver and spleen meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Flowering Quince & Medical Formulas
3.1 Skin Health
Flowering quince is rich in antioxidants and vitamins which are very important in keeping our skin healthy and young. Antioxidants heal the damage that free radicals do to skin cells, therefore reducing the appearance of wrinkles, eliminating blemishes, and assisting to defend our skin against the effects of UV radiation.
3.2 Weight Control
Flowering quince is rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble fiber. On one hand, soluble fiber helps slow the movement of the digested material through the digestive tract which increases nutrient absorption and offers a feeling of fullness for a longer period of time. On the other hand, the insoluble fiber which cannot be aborted will add to the stool and prevent constipation. Both of them will contribute to more healthier digestive system and better body weight control.
3.3 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
A decoction of root of Angelica pubescens, flowering quince and the root of bidentate achyranthes is taken to help with swollen ankles and swollen feet.
Pills made with dipsacus asper root, Angelica sinensis, flowering quince and astragalus propinquus is taken to treat injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains.
Pounded amomum kravanh fruits (peeled) is taken orally with ginger and flowering quince soup to treat abdominal bloating.
Papaya juice with powdered fucklandia rhizome is taken with warm wine to deal with acute gastritis.
3.4 Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medicated bath with Impatiens balsamina flowers, platycladi seed, sodium sulfate and flowering quince can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis with frequent cramping in hands or wrists.
Powdered fenugreek seeds (soaked in wine and calcined), seed of Indian trumetflower and flowering quince are made into pills for oral taking to relieve knee pain resulted from a sudden injury, an overuse injury, or by an underlying condition, such as arthritis.
This is what flowering quince looks like. (Image source: www.114pifa.com)
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.