Chinese Honeylocust Abnormal Fruit

[Aliases] Xiaoyazao, Yazaojiao, Meizaojiao.

[Source] The dried sterile fruit of the plant Chinese honeylocust (Gleditsia sinensis).

[Medicinal material] The producing area is the same as that of Large Chinese Honeylocust Fruit. Harvesting and processing: harvested in autumn. Pick the sterile pods and sun-dry them. Characteristics: curved cylindrical, slightly flattened, pointed at both ends, resembling a crescent moon, 4-7 cm long, 0.7-1.2 cm wide at the middle, about 5 mm thick. The surface is purplish-brown to purplish-dark-brown, covered externally with a layer of white powdery bloom; when the bloom is wiped off it appears glossy, and fine longitudinal cracks are commonly seen; the ventral side has a raised ridge line, and the dorsal side has a sunken longitudinal groove; the residual style base at the apex is long and pointed, and the base has a short fruit stalk or the scar left after it falls off. The texture is hard and breaks easily; the broken surface is yellow-white in the middle, somewhat loose and slightly fibrous. The pod is divided into several chambers, but seeds are rarely seen inside. The odor is slightly sour; when broken it gives off a relatively strong, peculiar sour stench that causes sneezing when smelled; the taste is first sweet, then pungent. Quality requirements: those that are medium to small in size and uniform, plump, purplish-brown, and give off a strong sour stench when broken are considered best. Packaging and storage: packed in gunny sacks, stored in a ventilated and dry place, protected from insects.

[Processing] Remove impurities and clean up.

[Medical uses] Nature and flavor: pungent, salty, warm; toxic. Meridian entry: enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Functions and indications: remove phlegm, open the orifices, dispel wind, and kill parasites. Used for sudden coma, stroke with lockjaw, epilepsy with excessive phlegm, and blockage of the orifices. For external use, it treats carbuncles and swellings, scabies, tinea, and scalp sores. Usage and dosage: 1-3 g, made into pills or powders. For external use, decoct in water for washing, grind into powder and sprinkle or mix for application to the affected area; or grind into powder and blow into the nose to induce sneezing and promote revival. Precautions: contraindicated for pregnant women and weak patients.