Chinese medicine's fingered citron, also known as Buddha's hand or Buddha's finger, is the fruit of the Rutaceae plant fingered citron. The fruit is split at the top like a fist or spread out like a Buddha's finger, hence the name fingered citron. Fingered citron has a warm nature and a flavor that is spicy, bitter, and sour. It has the effects of aromatically promoting Qi circulation, strengthening the stomach, stopping vomiting, and resolving phlegm and cough. It is commonly used to treat indigestion, chest tightness, bloating, vomiting, phlegm retention, coughing, and liver and stomach pain. It can also be used to alleviate the symptoms of alcohol intoxication. "Dian Nan Ben Cao" states that fingered citron "nourishes the liver, warms the stomach, stops vomiting, resolves cold phlegm in the stomach, treats stomach pain caused by gas, relieves facial pain caused by cold, and promotes Qi circulation and digestion." "Ben Cao Zai Xin" also states that fingered citron "relieves liver stagnation, resolves phlegm in the stomach, disperses accumulations, treats hiccups, gastroesophageal reflux, and various swellings and lumps." In the market, dried slices of the fruit of the gourd plant are sometimes falsely sold as fingered citron, so be cautious when using it.
Genuine Fingered Citron
Fresh fingered citron: The lower part of the fruit is round, slightly narrower near the stem, with residual stem or stem marks. The upper part branches out, forming a cylindrical shape resembling fingers, with varying lengths and uneven flexion and extension. It is generally 12-16 centimeters long, with a slightly pointed or twisted top. The outer skin is orange-yellow or greenish-brown, with uneven deep wrinkles and sparse wart-like protrusions. Fine depressions can be seen in flatter areas. The skin is about 1.5-4 millimeters thick. The flesh inside is white or yellowish-white, with two longitudinal stripe-like veins that reach the top. It is relatively soft and elastic. It has a fragrant smell and a sour and bitter taste when tasted.
Fingered citron slices: The slices are large, thin, and wrinkled, with white flesh and obvious patterns. They are hard and brittle, but become flexible when damp. They have a fragrant smell and a slightly sour taste followed by bitterness when tasted.
Fake Fingered Citron (Gourd)
The fruit is pear-shaped, with five distinct longitudinal grooves and a seam line at the top. The fruit's outer appearance is green to milky white, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles and occasional milk-like protrusions, but no concave points. The flesh is milky white, with scattered dot-like longitudinal bundles and a prominent central vein. The upper half has a large ovary chamber with a single seed. The flesh is closely attached to the seed coat and not easily separated. The seed is flat and spindle-shaped. Fake fingered citron is often sliced into long oval-shaped pieces, which curl and shrink when dried. The upper half is slightly wider and sometimes splits into two lobes at the top, rather than branching out like fingers. The dried slices are hard, brittle, and powdery. They have a faint smell and a slightly sweet taste when tasted.
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that fingered citron alcohol extract has a significant inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle of the intestines and can significantly relieve duodenal spasms caused by acetylcholine. It can dilate coronary blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and prevent myocardial ischemia. The fingered citron polysaccharides it contains have a significant promoting effect on the multi-link immune function, promoting the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophages, and significantly counteracting the immunosuppressive effect caused by cyclophosphamide. The volatile oil in fingered citron can be extracted to obtain essential oil with a slightly floral fragrance, which can be used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, including nervous fatigue, neurogenic insomnia, and physical exhaustion. It has multiple effects such as relieving stress and relaxing the mind. Fingered citron and gourd are not in the same plant family, and gourd does not have the various effects of fingered citron. Gourd is mostly used as a vegetable, so it cannot be used as a substitute for medicinal fingered citron. The two should be carefully distinguished to avoid the misuse of fake products and delay treatment.
