Rosa roxburghii Tratt.
Aliases：茨梨、文光果、团糖二、油刺果、莰梨、缫丝花、刺石榴、送春归、木梨子。
Cì Lí (Rosa roxburghii fruit) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried fruit of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. and Rosa roxburghii Tratt. f. normalis Rehd. et Wils., plants of the Rosaceae family. The fruit is oblate-spherical in shape, densely covered with yellowish-brown small prickles, with thick and fleshy pulp, and has a strong distinctive fragrance. Cì Lí is a medicinal and edible plant, valued both as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and as a nutrient-rich fruit.
Efficacy & Actions
Strengthens the stomach, promotes digestion, and stops diarrhea.
Indications
Used for food stagnation with abdominal distension and enteritis with diarrhea. It is also used for dysentery, vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), indigestion, and poor appetite, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant Effect: Rich in vitamin C, superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenols, and other components, which can scavenge free radicals and delay aging. The vitamin C content in fresh fruit is as high as 2585 mg/100g. Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: Exhibits hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects. Antitumor Effect: Exhibits antitumor activity. Anti-inflammatory Effect: Triterpenoids, ellagic acids, flavonoids, and oligosaccharides are the main active components responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. Immunomodulatory Effect: Enhances immune function. Cardiovascular Protection: Enhances myocardial vitality, exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects, and lowers blood pressure. Other Effects: Also exhibits anti-radiation, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, expectorant, and antitussive effects, among others.
Ingredients
Vitamin C (extremely high content, fresh fruit can reach up to 3541mg/100g). Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Flavonoids: Rutin, quercetin, among others. Organic Acids. Polysaccharides: Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides. Triterpenoids. Tannins (also known as tannic acid). Amino Acids (containing 8 essential amino acids for the human body). Mineral Elements (calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, among others).
Usage & Dosage
Decoction: The standard dosage is 9–15g. Fresh Consumption: May be eaten raw directly. Infusion of Dried Fruit: 3–6g, steeped in hot water.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: As Rosa roxburghii (cili) is cool in nature, excessive consumption may aggravate deficiency-cold symptoms in such individuals. Use with caution in patients with excessive gastric acid secretion, gastric ulcers, or duodenal ulcers: It may irritate the gastric mucosa and worsen the condition. Not suitable for consumption on an empty stomach: Organic acids may irritate the gastric mucosa. Not suitable for excessive consumption: It may cause diarrhea or electrolyte imbalance.
Selected Formulas
For red and white leukorrhea with metrorrhagia (Chongqing Herbal Medicine) Take 0.5 jin of Cili (Rosa roxburghii) root and 4 liang of Jinmaogouji (Cibotium barometz). Soak in wine, and take one wine glass each morning and evening. For stomach yin deficiency with dry mouth and thirst (Bencao Gangmu Shiyi) Take an appropriate amount of Cili, decoct in water to concentrate into a paste, or add an equal amount of honey. Take 1-2 spoonfuls each time, dissolved in boiling water.
Daily Consumption
Fresh Consumption: Scrape off the surface prickles, remove the core, and eat raw. Rosa roxburghii Juice: Wash the fruits, remove prickles and cores, then press into juice for drinking. Rosa roxburghii Tea: Take 3–5 dried fruits, steep in boiling water, and drink as a tea. Rosa roxburghii, Rice, and Rock Sugar Congee: Mash the fruits, strain to remove residue and retain the juice, then cook together with polished round-grained rice and rock sugar to make a congee. Candied Rosa roxburghii: Remove prickles and cores, steep in sugar syrup, then dry in the sun. Rosa roxburghii Wine: Steam the fruits until cooked, dry in the sun, then steep in wine for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
