Pen Luozi, also known as Shang Pi, Mao Bi Liang, is the fruit of the plant Pen Luozi from the Qingfeng vine family. It has the effects of detoxification, diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is mainly used to treat edema, abdominal distension, unknown swelling, and snake bites. It also has the functions of protecting vision, maintaining healthy and moisturized skin, and promoting the physical development of children. Therefore, Pen Luozi is also known as the "King of Fruits". It can promote appetite, aid digestion, prevent cancer, and prevent aging.
【Plant Morphology】
Pen Luozi is a tall tree, reaching up to 7m in height. The buds, young branches, leaf backs, and flower clusters are all covered with reddish-brown long hairs. The leaves are simple; petiole is 1.5-4cm long; leaf blade is lanceolate or narrow ovate, 8-25cm long, 2.5-4.5cm wide, gradually pointed or tapering to a tail at the apex, gradually narrowing to a wedge-shaped base, with several acute serrations above the middle, and rusty soft hairs on the leaf back; 9-18 lateral veins on each side; leathery. The flowers are bisexual, with a terminal conical inflorescence, and the main axis has 3 edges; sepals 5 or 4, ovate or nearly circular, with margin hairs; petals 5, white, with 3 nearly circular outer petals with a diameter of 2-2.5mm, and 2 inner petals about half the length of the stamens, 2-lobed; stamens with several margin hairs; developing anthers 1.2-1.5mm long; ovary hairless. The fruit is spherical, with a diameter of 5-8mm; the nut is spherical, slightly oblique, with raised fine reticulations. It blooms in summer and fruits from September to October.
【Habitat Distribution】
Pen Luozi is mainly produced in southern Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, southwestern Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Taiwan. It grows in broad-leaved forests below an altitude of 1500 meters. It is also found in Japan. It grows on slopes, along streams, at forest edges, in mixed broad-leaved forests, and in shrubs. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and other places.
【Morphological Characteristics】
The fruit of Pen Luozi is spherical, with a diameter of 5-8mm. The nut is spherical, slightly oblique, with raised fine reticulations, and the midrib is slightly raised. The surface of the dried fruit is brownish-green. It has a slight odor.
【Nutritional Composition】
The bark contains 16.0% tannins, and the leaves contain 5.7% tannins.
Pen Luozi is rich in cellulose, pectin, carotene, malic acid, citric acid, potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and C. It is rich in vitamins B and carotene.
【Functions and Indications】
It has the effects of detoxification, diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is mainly used to treat edema, abdominal distension, unknown swelling, and snake bites.
"Hunan Folk Medicinal Materials": "Treat cough, cold, and pain."
【Usage and Dosage】
1-3 qian (Chinese measurement). For external use, use an appropriate amount of fresh root bark and mash it to apply to the affected area.
In addition to the fruit, the leaves and nuts of Pen Luozi are also commonly used Chinese medicinal materials. The leaves of Pen Luozi have the functions of clearing lung and stomach heat, and transforming qi and resolving phlegm. They are used for lung heat dry cough, stomach pain, nosebleeds, and stomach heat-induced vomiting; the nuts of Pen Luozi are used to treat hernia, eliminate edema, and promote joint health.
