The Maoliren is the seed of the Hukou fighting plant Maoliren. It is a yellowish-white powdery seed with a mild smell and sweet taste. It is mainly distributed in East China, Central South China, Southwest China, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Taiwan. It mainly grows in low mountainous areas below 2000m altitude, in sunny shrubs, and has the effects of nourishing the stomach and calming the mind, and is used to treat insomnia.
1. Morphology of Maoliren
It is a deciduous shrub or small tree. The leaves are alternate; the leaf blades are thin and leathery, elongated and inverted-oval shaped, measuring 6-14cm in length and 3-7cm in width, with short spiny serrations along the edges. The flowers are unisexual. Male flowers are in racemes, solitary on the upper side of the leafy branch, erect, measuring 6-7cm in length, with 10-14 stamens; female flowers are located below the male inflorescence, usually clustered in groups of 3. The ovary is inferior, with 6 chambers. The bracts are nearly spherical, measuring 3-4cm in diameter, with slender pointed thorns on the outer surface, measuring 4-5.5mm in length. Each fruit contains 3-7 nuts, usually 3; the nuts are flattened and spherical, measuring 1-1.5cm in diameter, and brown. The flowering period is in May, and the fruiting period is in September to October.
2. Habitat and Distribution of Maoliren
It grows in sunny shrubs in low mountainous areas below 2000m altitude. It is distributed in East China, Central South China, Southwest China, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Taiwan.
3. Collection and Processing Methods
In autumn, when the bracts turn from green to yellow, the seeds are peeled and dried.
4. Medicinal Properties of Maoliren
The seed is flattened and spherical, measuring 0.8-1.3cm in diameter, yellowish-white in color, and powdery. It has a mild smell and a sweet, slightly bitter taste. It has the effects of nourishing the stomach and calming the mind, and is used to treat insomnia.
5. Introduction to Applications of Maoliren
1. Treating food stagnation: 30g of Maoliren, 15g of bitter buckwheat, 45g of chicken dung vine. Decoction and take orally.
2. Treating insomnia and forgetfulness, excessive dreaming: 15g each of Maoliren, Hehuanpi, and Yuanzhi. Decoction and take orally.
3. Treating insomnia: 30g of Maoliren, 30g of lotus seeds (without core), 5-7 red dates, 60-120g of white sugar. Stew and take orally. Avoid eating sour and spicy food, celery, and radish.
4. The "Herbal Handbook of Jiangxi" states: "Treats thorns, iron pieces embedded in the flesh. Mash fresh Maoliren fruits and apply externally."
