1. Description
Chinese plum (scientific name: Prunus salicina Lindl., also known as Japanese plum, Chinese Pinyin: Li Zi, Simplified Chinese: 李子), is a species of small deciduous fruit-bearing tree with white flower and drupe (stone fruit) in genus Prunus in the rose family, Rosaceae. Habitats of Chinese plum include shrubland, forest edge, open forest, hillsides and along the roadsides (usually from between 400 to 2,600 meters in elevation) in East Asia (China, Korea, Japan), the United States and Australia, the plant can grow up to 12 m tall. Characteristics of Chinese plum include ability to withstand cultivation at high altitudes and adaptation to different soils. The roots, fruits and kernel of Chinese plum is used as heat-clearing drug, detoxicant, dampness-dispelling drug, analgesic, blood circulation promoter and aperitive in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as coughing.
Other simplified Chinese names for Chinese plum include: 嘉庆子, 玉皇李, 山李子, 李实, 嘉应子.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels
The kernel of Chinese plum is considered to have bitter and neutral properties and to be associated with the liver, spleen and stomach meridians.
The root of Chinese plum is considered to have bitter and cold properties and to be associated with the liver, spleen and stomach meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Chinese Plum & Medical Formulas
3.1 Liver Cirrhosis
Fresh Chinese plums contain various amino acid, such as glutamine, serine, glycine, and proline, which make the fruit an excellent choice as dietary therapy for patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
3.2 Intestinal Health
The kernels of Chinese plums contain amygdalin and a lot of fat oil which have significant diuretic and antihypertensive effect, and can speed up intestinal peristalsis, promote discharge of dry stool.
3.3 Aid Digestion
Chinese plum is rich in soluble fiber, which in turn is efficient at enhancing the digestive tract. Also, sour taste of the fruit would increase appetite, promote salivation and stimulates digestive power.
3.4 Sore Throat
Pills made from borax, salted and dried Chinese plum can help to treat a sore throat.
3.5 Skin Health
Salted Chinese plum and vermilion can be pounded and applied externally to treat eczema blisters with yellow pus (Chinese: 黄水湿疮).
3.6 Hematemesis
Powdered salvia chinensis root, ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin can be taken with syrup of plum to cope with hematemesis.
3.7 Dysentery
Dried oriental motherwort and ash from burning salted plums are powdered and taken with ginger soup to treat dysentery and severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions
Administration with caution for pregnant women and people experiencing kidney deficiency.
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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.