The Qi Tongzi is the immature and early fallen fruit of the oil tung tree, a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family. It has high nutritional value and is known for its ability to promote digestion and relieve bloating. Let's take a look at the medicinal properties of Qi Tongzi!
【Morphological Characteristics】
The oil tung tree is a small deciduous tree that can grow up to 9 meters tall. Its branches are thick and hairless, with grayish bark pores. The leaves are alternate; the leaf stalks can reach up to 12 cm long and have 2 reddish-purple glandular organs at the top.
The leaf blades are leathery and ovate-heart-shaped, measuring 5-15 cm long and 3-14 cm wide. They have a gradually pointed tip, a heart-shaped or wedge-shaped base, and smooth edges. Sometimes, they may have 3 shallow lobes. The young leaves are covered with short soft hairs that change color, but they become nearly hairless as they mature, appearing glossy green.
The flowers bloom before the leaves and are arranged in short, conical clusters at the ends of the branches. They are monoecious, meaning the male and female flowers are on the same plant. The calyx is irregular and 2-3 lobed. The petals are white with orange-red spots and stripes at the base.
The male flowers have 8-20 stamens arranged in two whorls, with the upper set separate and bent in the flower bud. The female flowers have 3-5 locules in the ovary, each containing 1 ovule, and the style is divided into 2 lobes.
The fruit is nearly spherical and has a diameter of 3-6 cm. The seeds have a thick woody seed coat. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruit ripens in October.
【Harvesting and Storage】
Collect the immature and early fallen fruits, remove impurities, and dry them in the sun.
【Habitat Distribution】
It prefers to grow on lower slopes, foothills, and beside ditches. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and other areas.
【Properties and Channels】
Qi Tongzi has a bitter taste and is neutral in nature. It enters the stomach channel.
【Medicinal Properties】
Qi Tongzi has the medicinal properties of promoting digestion, relieving bloating, clearing heat, and detoxifying. It is used to treat hernia, food stagnation, irregular menstruation, and boils and abscesses.
According to the "Classification of Medicinal Properties of Herbs": "It is used for treating hernia, promoting digestion, and treating women's menstrual disorders. Take 1-3 Qi Tongzi and decoct them."
【Dosage and Administration】
Oral administration: Decoct 1-3 Qi Tongzi. Topical administration: Use an appropriate amount, crush and apply or extract the juice for application.
