Euodiae Fructus
Aliases：Shizhuyu、Wu Yu、Cha La、Qi La Zi、You La Zi、Qu Yao Zi、Qi La Zi
Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb that warms the interior. It consists of the dried, nearly ripe fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth., Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. var. officinalis (Dode) Huang, or Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. var. bodinieri (Dode) Huang (family Rutaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispel cold and relieve pain, direct rebellious qi downward to stop vomiting, assist yang and stop diarrhea.
Indications
It is indicated for Jueyin-type headache, cold hernia with abdominal pain, cold-dampness beriberi, dysmenorrhea (menstrual abdominal pain), epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, vomiting and acid regurgitation, and dawn diarrhea (Wugeng xiexie).
Modern Pharmacology
This product has the effects of inhibiting gastrointestinal motility, anti-ulcer, anti-diarrhea, anti-myocardial injury, lowering blood pressure, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-tumor, anti-thrombotic, among others.
Ingredients
This product mainly contains alkaloids and volatile oils. 1. Alkaloid components: evodiamine, rutaecarpine, evodiamine (again? check: 吴茱萸新碱 is neoevodiamine? Let's map: 吴茱萸碱 = evodiamine; 吴茱萸次碱 = rutaecarpine; 吴茱萸新碱 = neoevodiamine; 羟基吴茱萸碱 = hydroxyevodiamine; 吴茱萸酰胺 = evodiamide. I'll use standard names.) 1. Alkaloid components: evodiamine, rutaecarpine, neoevodiamine, hydroxyevodiamine, evodiamide, etc. 2. Volatile oils: evodiene, ocimene, limonin (evodin), evodol, etc. 3. Other components: including evodic acid, evodionone, evodol (maybe dupe? 吴茱萸苦素 is also evodol, which is a limonoid), etc. To avoid duplication, I'll use: 吴茱萸内酯 = limonin (also called evodin) 吴茱萸内酯醇 = evodol (also called 吴茱萸苦素) So: **This product mainly contains alkaloids and volatile oils. Alkaloid components: evodiamine, rutaecarpine, neoevodiamine, hydroxyevodiamine, evodiamide, etc. Volatile oils: evodiene, ocimene, limonin (evodin), evodol, etc. Others: also contains evodic acid, evodionone, evodol, etc.** I will present a clean version: This product mainly contains alkaloids and volatile oils. 1. Alkaloid components: evodiamine, rutaecarpine, neoevodiamine, hydroxyevodiamine, evodiamide, etc. 2. Volatile oils: evodiene, ocimene, limonin (evodin), evodol, etc. 3. Other components: also contain evodic acid, evodionone, evodol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Decoction: 2–5 g; for external use, appropriate amount.
Contraindications
1. This product is pungent, hot, dry and violent in nature, which may easily consume Qi and stir up fire. Therefore, it should not be used in large doses or for a prolonged period. 2. Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
1. For Jueyin headache, cold hernia, dysmenorrhea, and damp‑cold beriberi Jueyin headache (with dry vomiting of frothy saliva, white tongue coating, slow pulse): often combined with fresh ginger and ginseng – as in Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) from Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage). Cold hernia with abdominal pain: often combined with fennel (Xiaohuixiang), Chuanlianzi (Toosendan fructus), and Muxiang (costus root) – as in Daoqi Tang (Qi‑Guiding Decoction) from Yifang Jianyi (Concise Meanings of Medical Formulas). Dysmenorrhea due to deficient cold of Chong and Ren meridians with blood stasis: combined with Guizhi (cinnamon twig), Danggui (Angelica), and Chuanxiong (Szechwan lovage) – as in Wenjing Tang (Channel‑Warming Decoction) from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer). Damp‑cold beriberi with swelling and pain, or qi rushing upward into the abdomen: combined with Mugua (Chaenomeles), Zuye (perilla leaf), and Binglang (areca seed) – as in Jiming San (Cockcrow Powder) from Leibian Zhushi Jiyan Yifang (Classified Collection of Zhu’s Proven Prescriptions). 2. For cholera with cardiac/abdominal pain, vomiting, and liver‑fire invading the stomach Cholera with cardiac/abdominal pain and incessant vomiting: often combined with dried ginger and licorice – as in Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) from Shengji Zonglu (General Medical Collection of Royal Mercy). Vomiting due to external cold invading the interior and failure of stomach qi to descend: Wuzhuyu can be used to dispel cold and harmonize the stomach. Liver‑stomach disharmony caused by liver qi stagnation transforming into fire (hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in mouth, vomiting and acid regurgitation): combined with Banxia (Pinellia), fresh ginger, and also paired with Huanglian (Coptis) – as in Zuojin Wan (Left Gold Pill) from Danxi Xinfa (Danxi’s Experiential Methods). 3. For dawn diarrhea due to spleen‑kidney yang deficiency Wuzhuyu is a commonly used herb for dawn diarrhea (diarrhea before daybreak). It is often combined with Buguzhi (Psoralea), Roudoukou (nutmeg), and Wuweizi (Schisandra) – as in Sishen Wan (Four‑Miraculous Pill) from Jiaozhu Furen Liangfang (Annotated Effective Prescriptions for Women).
Daily Consumption
Wuzhuyu Congee (Evodia Congee) Actions: Supplement the spleen and warm the stomach; warm the middle and dispel cold; relieve pain and stop vomiting. Suitable for dysmenorrhea of deficient‑cold type, cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and acid regurgitation. Ingredients: 2 g Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), 50 g Japonica rice, 2 slices of fresh ginger, 2 sections of scallion white (white part of spring onion). Preparation: Grind the Wuzhuyu into a fine powder. First, cook the Japonica rice with water to make plain congee. When the rice is nearly cooked, add the powdered Wuzhuyu, ginger slices, and scallion sections. Continue cooking until the congee is done. Usage: Take twice daily, warm, in the morning and evening. Precaution: Wuzhuyu is mildly toxic. The herb must be processed (prepared) before use, and the dosage should not be excessive. This congee is warm in nature; it is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with fire exuberance and should be used with caution during pregnancy.
Medicinal Parts
Fruit
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container. For processed Wuzhuyu products such as prepared Wuzhuyu, salt-stir-fried Wuzhuyu, Wuzhuyu processed with Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), wine-stir-fried Wuzhuyu, vinegar-stir-fried Wuzhuyu, and ginger-processed Wuzhuyu, keep in airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place.