The fruit of the Meliosma rigida Sieb. et Zucc., belonging to the family Clethraceae, is called Biluozi. It grows on slopes, streamsides, forest edges, and shrubs. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and other places. Biluozi has the effects of detoxification, diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is used to treat edema, abdominal distension, unknown swelling, and snake bites.
1. "National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine": Biluozi
【Chinese name】 Biluozi (Bǐ Luó Zǐ)
【Aliases】 Wild loquat, rough straw
【Source】 The root bark of Meliosma rigida Sieb. et Zucc., a plant of the Clethraceae family, is used as medicine.
【Distribution】 Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi
【Properties and tastes】 Sour, neutral
【Functions and indications】 Biluozi has the effects of detoxification, diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is used to treat edema, abdominal distension, and unknown swelling, as well as snake bites.
【Dosage】 1-3 qian (3-9 grams). For external use, apply an appropriate amount of fresh root bark of Biluozi to the affected area after smashing it.
2. "Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine": Biluozi
【Chinese name】 Biluozi (Bǐ Luó Zǐ)
【Aliases】 Wild loquat (Classification of Chinese Trees), rough straw, flower fragrant (Chinese Economic Plants), mountain loquat, maobilian (Hunan Folk Medicine)
【Source】 The fruit of the Meliosma rigida Sieb. et Zucc., a plant of the Clethraceae family
【Botanical characteristics】
Evergreen small tree, about 10 meters high. The trunk is straight with gray-brown bark; the young branches are stout and densely covered with rusty soft hairs. Leaves are alternate, leathery, lanceolate or elliptic, 8-25 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, with a pointed or blunt apex, a wedge-shaped base, entire or sparsely serrated in the upper part, with hairs on the upper surface when young, and rusty hairs on the lower surface, with distinct lateral veins on the back; petiole is 2.5-3 cm long, with short hairs.
The inflorescence is a terminal conical spike, covered with rusty soft hairs; the flowers are small and white; the calyx has 5 sepals; the petals have 5 petals; there are 5 stamens. The drupe is nearly spherical, inclined at the base, with a diameter of 5-8 mm, and persistent calyx. Flowering period is from May to June, and fruiting period is in August.
【Habitat distribution】 Biluozi grows on slopes, streamsides, forest edges, broad-leaved mixed forests, and shrubs. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and other places.
【Chemical composition】 The bark contains 16.0% tannins, and the leaves contain 5.7% tannins.
【Functions and indications】 "Hunan Folk Medicine": "Treats cough, cold, and pain."
【Dosage】 Internal use: decoction, 2-3 qian (6-9 grams).
3. "Chinese Materia Medica": Biluozi
【Chinese name】 Biluozi (Bǐ Luó Zǐ)
【English name】 Root-bark of Stiffleaf Meliosma
【Latin name】 Meliosma rigida Sieb.et Zucc.
【Aliases】 Mountain loquat, maobilian
【Source】 The fruit of the Meliosma rigida Sieb. et Zucc., a plant of the Clethraceae family
【Collection and storage】 Harvest when the fruit is ripe in autumn and dry it in the sun.
【Botanical characteristics】
A tree that can grow up to 7 meters tall. Buds, young branches, leaf veins on the back, and inflorescences are all covered with colored long hairs. The leaves are alternate; petiole is 1.5-4 cm long; leaf blade is oblong or narrowly obovate, 8-25 cm long, 2.5-4.5 cm wide, gradually pointed or tapering to a tail, gradually narrow at the base, with several pointed serrations above the middle, and rusty hairs on the back; 9-18 lateral veins on each side; leathery.
The flowers are bisexual, with terminal conical inflorescences and trihedral main axis; the sepals are 5 or 4, ovate or nearly circular, with hairy margins; the petals are 5, white, with 3 outer ones nearly circular and about 2-2.5 mm in diameter, and 2 inner ones about half the length of the stamens, 2-lobed; the corolla tube has several hairy margins; the developing stamens are 1.2-1.5 mm long; the ovary is hairless.
The drupe is spherical, with a diameter of 5-8 mm; the nucleus is spherical, slightly inclined, with raised fine mesh lines. Its surface becomes brownish-green after drying. It has a slight odor.
【Habitat distribution】 Biluozi grows in broad-leaved forests below an altitude of 1500 meters. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, and other places.
【Identification】 The drupe of Biluozi is spherical, with a diameter of 5-8 mm. The nucleus is spherical, slightly inclined, with raised fine mesh lines and slightly raised midribs. The surface of the dried fruit is brownish-green. It has a slight odor.
【Chemical composition】 The bark of Biluozi contains 16.0% tannins. The leaves contain 5.7% tannins.
【Properties and tastes】 Bitter; neutral. Belongs to the lung meridian.
【Functions and indications】 Biluozi has the effects of relieving surface and stopping cough. It is used to treat colds and coughs.
"Hunan Folk Medicine": "Treats cough, cold, and pain."
【Dosage】 Internal use: decoction, 6-9 grams.
