Ku Tan Zi is the seed of the leguminous plant Thick Fruit Chicken Blood Vine. It is a traditional Chinese medicinal material that is used to dispel dampness and relieve pain. After the fruit is mature, the seeds are collected and dried to obtain Ku Tan Zi. Due to its high toxicity, it is important to use Ku Tan Zi with caution.
[Usage of Ku Tan Zi]
1. For treating rheumatic pain: Grind the fruit of Ku Tan Zi into powder and take 3-5 minutes each time, then drink with boiling water. (Guizhou Folk Medicine)
2. For treating infantile malnutrition: Take 5 minutes of Ku Tan Zi (calcined and preserved). Eat with steamed chicken liver or grind into water for consumption. (Guizhou Folk Medicine)
3. For treating hand and foot pain: Take 2 liang of Ku Tan Zi, decoct in water and drink. (Hunan Materia Medica)
4. For treating joint pain: Take 2 liang of fresh Ku Tan Zi, 2 liang of fresh Maple Lotus Pear, 1 liang each of Mountain Pepper, Star Anise, Melia azedarach, Acanthopanax bark, and Selaginella, 5 qian of Achyranthes bidentata, and 2 qian of Notoginseng, with 1 pig's trotter as an adjuvant. Stew in water and take in two doses. (Jiangxi "Herbal Manual")
5. For treating night sweats due to deficiency: Take 3 liang of fresh Ku Tan Zi, decoct in water and drink with 2 eggs. (Jiangxi "Herbal Manual")
[Toxicity of Ku Tan Zi]
The seeds of Ku Tan Zi are flattened, slightly kidney-shaped, and attached to both ends of the pod. One side is round, while the other side is flat; the seeds in the middle of the pod are flat on both sides. They are about 4cm long and 3cm thick.
The surface is reddish-brown to black-brown, shiny, and may have a grayish-white membrane. The hilum is located in the middle of the waist. It has a mild aroma, a faint taste, and a tingling sensation. It is best to choose those with reddish-brown skin, large size, and no insect damage.
Due to its high toxicity, it is mainly used externally, and oral administration should be used with caution.
Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, dry mucous membranes, rapid breathing, confusion, and initial excitation of the nervous system followed by paralysis.
Remedial methods include gastric lavage, administration of lubricating protectants, and symptomatic treatment with fluids. However, in Yunnan Simao, 2-3 qian of the root of this plant was mashed and squeezed for juice, and then taken orally to treat acute gastroenteritis with satisfactory results. It can be tried under strict observation if conditions permit.
