Chinese herbal medicine Ku Tan Zi, the name may not be familiar to most people. It can be used externally to disperse blood stasis, reduce swelling, and treat bruises and injuries. When taken internally, it can treat infantile malnutrition and excessive sweating due to physical weakness. Here is an introduction to the medicinal uses of Ku Tan Zi.
Image of Ku Tan Zi
【Medicinal Uses of Ku Tan Zi】
① Treatment of scabies and skin diseases: Ku Tan Zi, Huajiao, Ku Shen, Li Lu, Huang Lian, Du Jiao Lian. Grind them together into a powder and mix with fragrant oil for topical application. (Sichuan Chinese Medicine Records)
② Treatment of pain caused by muscle cramps: Grind the fruit of Ku Tan Zi into powder, take three to five grams per dose, and drink with hot water. (Guizhou Folk Medicine)
③ Treatment of infantile malnutrition: Take five grams of Ku Tan Zi (calcined). Eat with steamed chicken liver or grind into water for consumption. (Guizhou Folk Medicine)
【Characteristics of Ku Tan Zi】
Identification: The seeds are flat and slightly kidney-shaped, located at both ends of the pod. One side is round and the other side is flat; The seeds in the middle of the pod are flat on both sides; They are about 4 cm long and 3 cm thick.
The surface is reddish-brown to dark brown, shiny, or with a thin grayish-white film. The hilum is located in the middle of the waist depression.
There are two cotyledons, thick and horny, easy to split longitudinally; There are irregular protrusions around the hilum, which cause longitudinal splitting of the cotyledons and make them uneven.
It has a faint smell and a mild taste, followed by a tingling sensation. The best quality is reddish-brown skin, large size, and free from insect damage.
