Medicinals

mù biē zǐ / 木鳖子 / 木鱉子 / momordica [seed];

Latin pharmacognostic name: Momordicae Semen

Alternate English names: spiny bitter cucumber seed

Alternate Chinese names: 土木鳖[1] tǔ mù biē; 桐鳖子 tóng biē zǐ; 木蟹 mù xiè; 壳木鳖 ké mù biē; 漏铃子 lòu líng zǐ; 地桐子 dì tóng zǐ; 鸭屎瓜子 yā zhǐ guā zǐ; 木鳖瓜 mù biē guā; 木鳖子肉 mù biē zǐ ròu

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

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

Properties: Bitter and slightly sweet; warm; toxic.

Channel entry: liver, spleen, and stomach channels.

Indications:

Disperses swelling and binds; dispels toxin.

swelling of welling-abscesses (yōng zhǒng), clove sores (dīng chuāng)), innominate toxin swellings, and other sores; scrofula; hemorrhoids. Also treats wind-damp impediment (fēng shī bì) pain; hypertonicity of the sinews.

Dosage & Method:

Topical: Apply as a powder or decoct as a wash. Oral: Used in pills and powders or decoct (0.6–1.2g).

Warning:

Contraindicated in pregnancy and vacuity.

Product Description:

This seed is round and flat, bulging slightly in the middle. It is about 2–2.5 cm in diameter, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, and 4–6 mm thick. The exterior is grayish brown or grayish black, with an irregular reticular formation of depressions. Around the edges are ten or more dull spikes. The episperm is hard and brittle, while the endotesta is membranous with downy grayish-green surface. Within are two large fat yellowish-white cotyledons that are oily in substance and bitter in taste.

Quality:

Unbroken plump heavy seeds with yellowish-white cotyledons that do not exude oil are the best.

Product Area:

Guǎngxī, Sìchuān, Húběi, and less importantly Húnán, Guìzhōu, Yúnnán, Guǎngdōng, and ānhuī.

Etymology:

Mù biē zǐ 木鳖子, ""wood turtle seed,"" is so named because it looks like a turtle but comes from a plant.

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