Kutannzi is the seed of the leguminous plant Thoroughfruit Chicken Blood Vine. It is a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to dispel dampness and alleviate pain. After the fruit ripens, the seeds are collected and dried to become Kutannzi. Due to its high toxicity, it is important to be cautious when using Kutannzi.
【Morphological Characteristics of Kutannzi】
Kutannzi is a perennial climbing shrub with thick stems. The branches are cylindrical and have sparse pubescence when young. The leaves are alternate, with long petioles, odd-pinnate compound, and are 30-50cm long. There are 13-17 leaflets, which are lanceolate and measure 14-16cm long and 3-4cm wide.
The bracts are ovate and sparsely hairy. The calyx is bell-shaped with 5 toothed lobes, which are triangular and light green with short pubescence. The corolla is butterfly-shaped with 5 petals that are purple-red. There are 10 stamens, which are monadelphous and separated at the upper part, and 1 pistil, which is linear with a curved style and a rounded stigma.
The fruit is thick, woody, ovate or rectangular, and can grow up to 23cm long. It is yellowish-gray-green with spots and becomes swollen. There are 1-5 kidney-shaped seeds, which are 4cm long and range in color from reddish-brown to dark brown.
The flowering period is from March to April, and the fruiting period is from October to November. It grows by riversides, in sparse forests, and among shrubs. It is distributed in Sichuan, Yunnan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, and other regions. It is mainly produced in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou. It is also produced in Guangxi and Guangdong.
【Medicinal Uses and Prescriptions of Kutannzi】
1. For pediatric malnutrition: Take 5 parts of dried Kutannzi fruit (burned to ash). Steam with chicken liver and consume or grind into water for consumption.
2. For hand and foot pain: Take 2 liang of Kutannzi and decoct in water for consumption.
3. For joint pain: Take 2 liang of fresh Kutannzi, 2 liang of fresh Maple Lotus Pear, and 1 liang each of Mountain Pepper, Star Anise Maple, Melia azedarach, Acanthopanax bark, and Lycopodium. Add 5 qian of Achyranthes bidentata and 2 qian of Notoginseng as a reference. Stew and drink in two portions.
4. For weakness and night sweats: Take 3 liang of fresh Kutannzi. Decoct in water and mix with 2 chicken eggs for consumption.
【Precautions for using Kutannzi】
Due to the high toxicity of Kutannzi, it is often used externally and should be taken orally with caution.
Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, dry mucous membranes, dyspnea, and confusion, with initial stimulation of the nervous system followed by paralysis.
Rescue methods include early gastric lavage, administration of lubricating protective agents, and fluid replacement therapy.
However, in Yunnan Simao, this herb has been used by crushing 2-3 qian of the root, extracting the juice, and diluting it with water for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, with satisfactory results. It can be tried under strict observation if conditions permit.
