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| Latin: |
Fructus Quisqualis |
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| Origin: |
Quisqualis fruit is the dried ripe fruit of the deciduous vine-like shrub Quisqualis indica L., of the family Combretaceae. In China, it is mainly produced in the provinces Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, etc.
Reaped when the peel becomes purplish black in September and October, the fruit is dried in the sun, shelled and the kernels taken out for use when raw or after being parched.
Also called rangoon creeper fruit. |
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| Properties: |
| Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, it is related to the spleen and stomach channels. |
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| Functions: |
| Expels intestinal parasites and removes food stagnancy. |
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| Applications: |
1. To treat ascariasis (infestation with or disease caused by the common roundworm parasitic in the human intestine) and oxyuriasis (infestation with or disease caused by pinworms):
a) Mild case of ascariasis or oxyuriasis:
Quisqualis fruit can be parched alone until fragrant for chewing.
b) Serious case of ascariasis or oxyuriasis:
Quisqualis fruit can be used in combination with chinaberry bark (Cortex Meliae), bigfruit elm fruit (Fructus Ulmi Macrocarpae), etc., e.g., Shijunzi San, in order to enhance the effect of expelling intestinal parasites.
2. To treat infantile malnutrition:
Quisqualis fruit is always used together with betel nuts, medicated leaven, malt, etc., e.g., Fei Er Wan. |
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| Dosage and Administration: |
3-10 g.
Decoct for oral administration or parch until fragrant for chewing. An infant can take small doses of this herb. Take on an empty stomach once daily for 3 days in succession. |
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| Cautions on Use: |
| The administration of a large dose can cause such reactions as hiccups, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Administration with hot tea may also cause hiccups and diarrhea, so it is necessary to avoid drinking tea when taking this herb. |
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| Reference Materials: |
Kai Bao Materia Medica : "To treat infantile malnutrition due to pathogenic heat involving one or more of the five zang-organ channels, gonorrhea, diarrhea and dysentery by destroying parasites."
The Compendium of Materia Medica : "Strengthening the spleen and stomach and relieving fever of the deficiency type. Sweet in taste and warm in nature, this herb can not only destroy parasites, but also reinforce the spleen and stomach, so it can relieve fever of the deficiency type and arrest diarrhea and dysentery. Avoid drinking hot tea when it is administered, otherwise diarrhea will occur immediately."
"It treats various kinds of infantile diseases and skin and external diseases." |
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| Toxic or Side Effects: |
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| Modern Researches: |
Quisqualis fruit contains potassium quisqualate, pyridine, sucrose, trigonelline and 20% to 27% fatty oil.
It has rather powerful anesthetizing effects on ascarids and oxyurids. Its effective antiscolic ingredient is mainly potassium quisqualate, but there have been reports that the antiscolic action also involves the pyridine contained therein. The water infusion of the Quisqualis Fruit can inhibit some dermatomyces. |
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