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Alternate English names: chaulmoogra seed

Alternate Chinese names: 大枫子 dà fēng zǐ; 大枫子肉 dà fēng zǐ ròu; 枫子肉 fēng zǐ ròu

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Hydnocarpus anthelmintica Pier. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin in unofficial sources: Hydnocarpus anthelmintica Pier.

Use: Medicinal

Category: External-use agents / Toxin-attacking, worm-killing, and itch-relieving agents

Properties: Acrid; hot; toxic.

Channel entry: Liver, spleen, and kidney channels.

Actions and indications: Attacks toxin and kills worms, dispels wind and dries dampness: leprosy, syphilis, scab and lichen.

Dosage and method: Topical: apply crushed. Alternatively, it can be subjected to nature-preservative burning and then ground before applying. Oral: 0.3–1.0g in pills or powders.

Warnings: Dà fēng zǐ is harsh and toxic, so it should be used internally with care. To avoid poisoning, do not take it in excessive quantities or take it continually. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, weak health, and in patients with impaired liver and kidney function.

Product description: The dried mature seed is an irregular ovate or many-sided body, 1–2.5 cm long and 1–2 cm in diameter. The exterior surface is grayish brown with fine wrinkles. At the smaller end is a distinct trough 1.5–2 mm thick, shiny on the inside, and light yellowish brown in color. The seed is separated from the shell. The two endosperms are grayish white in color, and oily. The seed coat is a thin reddish-brown or dark-purple membrane.

Quality: Large plump oily white seeds are the best.

Production area: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Yúnnán; cultivated in Táiwān and Guǎngxī.

Etymology: Dà fēng zǐ 大风子, great wind seed, describes this agent's use in the treatment of lài dà fēng 癞大风, repudiation great wind, i.e., leprosy. Originally, the character 风, wind, was written with the tree radical (枫).

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