Tomentosa Rhodomyrtus Fruit/Radix Rhodomyrti
Aliases：Shān Rěn Zǐ (Mountain Fruit); Gǎng Rěn (Hill Fruit); Shān Niàn (Mountain Herb); Duō Lián (Many Lotuses); Dòu Rěn Gàn (Bean Fruit Dried); Rěn Guǒ (Ripe Fruit); Duō Nǎi (Plenty of Milk); Shān Duō Nǎi (Mountain Plenty of Milk); Sū Yuán Zǐ (Su Garden Seed); Shí Liú Zǐ (Pomegranate Seed); Bái Niǎn Zǐ (White Millstone Seed); Shuǐ Dāo Lián (Water Knife Lotus); Wū Dù Zǐ (Black Belly); Dāng Lí Zǐ (When Pear Seed); Duō Mǒu Zǎi (Much Moaning Child); Rěn Zǐ (Fruit Seed); Jīn Sī Táo (Golden Silk Peach).
Táo Jīn Niáng (Downy Rose Myrtle Fruit) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the fruit of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk., a plant of the Myrtaceae family. Its roots, leaves, flowers, and fruits are all used medicinally. This plant is both medicinal and edible, and is commonly used in folk medicine to nourish qi and blood, and to strengthen bones and muscles.
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes blood and stops bleeding; astringes the intestines and stabilizes menstruation. Its root has the effects of nourishing blood, unblocking collaterals, stopping bleeding, and relieving pain.
Indications
Indications of the fruit: Used for blood deficiency with weakness, hematemesis, epistaxis, hemoptysis due to overexertion, bloody stool, metrorrhagia, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, dysentery, rectal prolapse, burns, and traumatic bleeding. Indications of the root: The root of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa can be used for chest and hypochondriac pain, rheumatic arthralgia, metrorrhagia, and lumbar muscle strain.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic (anti-anaphylactic) effects. Hepatoprotective and antitumor effects. Hypoglycemic effect. Increases mucus clearance rate.
Ingredients
Flavonoids (flavonoid glycosides). Phenolic compounds. Tannins (hydrolyzable tannins). Triterpenoids, phloroglucinols, anthraquinones. Alkaloids. Amino acids, saccharides. Volatile oils (e.g., 1,8-cineole, limonene, etc.).
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 6–15g; fresh product may be used at 15–30g. May also be steeped in wine for consumption. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, calcined to preserve its property, ground into powder, and mixed for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with constipation.
Selected Formulas
For blood deficiency (Guangxi Folk Common Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 1kg of ripe Shanziguo (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit), dry over fire, steam three times, then soak in 1kg of good wine for one week. Take 30g three times daily. For nosebleed (Lingnan Herbal Medicine) Take 15g of dried Shanziguo and 2 catfish. Add 3 bowls of water and decoct to about half a bowl, then drink. For gastric and duodenal ulcers (empirical formula) Take 60g of Rhodomyrtus fruit and 9g of Shichangpu (Acorus). Decoct in water and drink. For colitis (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 60g of Rhodomyrtus fruit, 30g each of Tudinggui (a local herb) and Yemacao (a local herb). Stew in water and drink. For burns (Minnan Folk Herbal Medicine) Take dried Shanduonai fruit (Rhodomyrtus fruit), calcine until its properties are retained, grind into fine powder, mix with tea and apply to the affected area once daily.
Daily Consumption
Táo Jīn Niáng Wine: Steam fresh fruits until cooked, then dry them in the sun. Place the dried fruits in a glass jar, add rock sugar, and pour in rice wine or white liquor (35–50% alcohol content is recommended). Seal the jar and let it steep for 3–6 months before drinking. It is commonly used in folk medicine to nourish qi and blood, and to strengthen bones and muscles.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, or in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.
