Medicinals
màn jīng zǐ / 蔓荆子 / 蔓荊子 / vitex [fruit]
Latin pharmacognostic name: Viticis Fructus
Alternate English names:
Alternate Chinese names: 万荆子 wàn jīng zǐ; 荆子 jīng zǐ; 蔓青子 màn qīng zǐ; 蔓荆实 màn jīng shí
Origin: Plant
Use: medicinal
Category: Exterior-resolving agents / Cool acrid exterior-resolving agents
Properties: Acrid; slightly cold.
Channel entry: lung, liver, and stomach channels.
Indications:
- Disperses wind-heat; clears and disinhibits the head and eyes: External contraction
exterior patterns withclouded head and headache or with red eyes and tearing. - Relieves pain: Many pain conditions, including head wind, impediment (bì) pain, toothache, and stomach pain.
Dosage & Method:
Oral: 6–12g in decoctions.
Product Description:
The dried fruit is spherical, with a diameter of 4–6 mm. The exterior surface is black, or brown-black, and slightly rough. It has four shallow equidistant longitudinal furrows. At the tip is a depression, and close to the fruit stalk is a white persistent calyx. The exocarp is thin, the mesocarp is spongy, and the endocarp is light yellow. In the center are four seed chambers, each with one seed. The fruit as a whole is light and hard and its oiliness is seen when it is cut open. It has a bitter taste and an unusual smell.
Quality:
Clean, full, dark-colored, aromatic fruits are the best.
Product Area:
Shāndōng (biggest producer), Zhèjiāng, Jiāngxī, and Fújiàn, Japan, and Korea.