The fruit of the plant Euphorbia helioscopia, also known as Euphorbia fruit, has multiple effects such as antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, choleretic, blood pressure-lowering, lipid-lowering, treatment of fatty liver, asthma relief, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Euphorbia fruit is distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and other regions. It is mainly found in Jiangsu, Guangxi, Zhejiang, and Hunan.
【Morphology of Euphorbia Fruit】
Euphorbia (from "Guang Zhi"), also known as "Chu" (from "Shi Jing"), "Jing" (from "Guang Ya"), Pu Xiang, Wu Shi Cao, Tu Chai Hu, Wen Zi Chai, Shan Jing Mu, Tu Chang Shan, Nai Dan, Ye Niu Xi, Bu Jing Cao, Wen Xiang Cao.
It is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It can grow up to 5 meters tall, with many branches and a fragrant smell. The new branches are square-shaped and covered with fine hairs. The leaves are opposite and arranged in three leaf whorls; there are three leaflets arranged in a compound leaf at the end of the branch; the middle three leaflets are lanceolate, 6-10 centimeters long, 2-3 centimeters wide, wedge-shaped at the base, long and pointed at the apex, with coarse serrations on the edges; both sides of the leaflets are ovate, about a quarter to half the length of the middle leaflet; the total petiole is 3-6 centimeters long, covered with yellow fine hairs.
The inflorescence is a conical spike, borne at the apex or side, up to 30 centimeters long, covered with powdery fine hairs; the bracts are small, linear, hairy, attached at the base of the pedicel; the calyx is bell-shaped, with 5 lobes at the upper end; the corolla is pale purple, about 6 millimeters long or slightly longer, densely covered with fine hairs on the outer surface, divided into 2 lips at the upper end, with 2 lobes on the upper lip and 3 lobes on the lower lip; there are 4 stamens, 2 of which are longer and protrude from the corolla tube; the ovary is spherical with a 2-lobed stigma. The fruit is black, with the persistent calyx covering more than half of it. It blooms from July to August.
【Characteristics of Euphorbia Fruit】
Euphorbia fruit is dried, pear-shaped or oval, about 3-4 millimeters long, with a diameter of about 2-3 millimeters. It is brown, with a short pointed base and a truncated top with a depression where the stigma has fallen off. The surface is smooth, with indistinct longitudinal lines. It is often covered with persistent calyx, with 5 prominent ribs and dense grayish-white short hairs. The fruit shell is hard, containing several yellowish-white seeds. It has a weak odor and a mild taste.
【Pharmacological Effects of Euphorbia Fruit】
A 25% decoction of Euphorbia fruit has an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, with weaker inhibition on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Taste and nature: Slightly bitter, warm,
① "The taste is bitter, warm,"
② "Pungent, warm."
Meridians entered: "Foot Yangming and Jueyin meridians" (according to "Bencao Jing Shu").
Dosage and administration: Internal use: Decoction, 2-3 qian (about 6-9 grams); powdered or soaked in alcohol.
Taboo: "Used with Forsythiae suspensa. Avoid using with gypsum" (according to "Bencao Jing Ji Zhu").
