Viticis Fructus
Aliases：Màn Jīng Shí, Jīng Zǐ, Wàn Jīng Zǐ, Màn Qīng Zǐ, Màn Jīng, Bái Bèi Mù Ěr, Xiǎo Dāo Dòu Téng, Bái Bèi Fēng, Bái Bèi Cǎo, Chǎo Màn Jīng Zǐ, Bái Bèi Yáng, Bái Bù Jīng, Dān Yè Màn Jīng Zǐ.
Màn Jīng Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried ripe fruit of Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham. or Vitex trifolia L., plants belonging to the genus Vitex of the family Verbenaceae. This plant is a deciduous shrub, rarely a small tree, growing 1.5–5 meters tall, with a fragrant aroma and quadrangular branchlets densely covered with fine hairs. The fruit is spherical, 4–6 mm in diameter, with a grayish-black or dark brown surface covered with grayish-white powdery tomentose hairs, four longitudinal shallow grooves, a slightly concave apex, and a grayish-white persistent calyx and short fruit stalk at the base. It is light in weight, tough, and not easily broken. It has a distinctive aromatic odor and a bland, slightly pungent taste. It was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer‘s Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Disperses wind-heat; clears the head and eyes.
Indications
Indicated for wind-heat common cold with headache, swollen and painful gums, red eyes with excessive tearing, blurred vision, and dizziness. It may also be used for hemicrania, dizziness with blurred vision, inner eye pain, and dampness impediment with spasmodic contracture.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Màn Jīng Zǐ possesses a wide range of biological activities, including antipyretic and analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and hypoglycemic effects. Over 190 compounds have been isolated from Màn Jīng Zǐ to date. Specific pharmacological effects include: Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory: Exhibits significant antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Analgesic and sedative: Possesses analgesic and sedative properties. Antibacterial and antiviral: Vitexicarpin exhibits antibacterial and antiviral effects. Antioxidant: Phenolic constituents exhibit antioxidant activity, scavenging oxygen free radicals and delaying aging. Antitumor: Shows strong inhibitory effects on melanoma tyrosinase and has preventive effects on liver cancer. Antihypertensive: Has blood pressure-lowering effects. Expectorant and antiasthmatic: Possesses expectorant and antiasthmatic effects. Anti-allergic: Exhibits anti-allergic effects. Improves microcirculation: The distilled extract of Màn Jīng leaves promotes peripheral and visceral microcirculation.
Ingredients
Màn Jīng Zǐ contains a rich variety of chemical constituents, primarily including terpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, steroids, and anthraquinones. Specific components include: Volatile oils: Main components include camphene and pinene Flavonoids: Vitexicarpin and others Other constituents: Fatty oils, alkaloids, vitamin A, and others Modern studies have shown that different parts of Màn Jīng Zǐ contain different chemical components: flavonoids are the main components in the ethyl acetate fraction, terpenoids are the main components in the chloroform fraction, and volatile oils and lipids are the main components in the petroleum ether fraction.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 5–10 g; or 6–12 g, crushed. May also be steeped in wine, or made into pills or powders. It should be crushed before use to facilitate the extraction of active components. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water for external washing; or crush for topical application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of headache and dizziness due to blood deficiency with fire—as this herb is light, floating, ascending, and dispersing, it may deplete Yin blood and aggravate symptoms in patients with blood deficiency and deficient fire flaring upward, potentially worsening headache and dizziness. Use with caution in cases of Stomach deficiency—its dispersing nature may irritate those with weak Spleen and Stomach function, causing gastric discomfort. Use with caution in cases of Spleen-Stomach weakness—as this herb is slightly cold in nature, consumption may worsen symptoms. Use with caution during pregnancy—should be used under the guidance of a qualified physician. Breastfeeding women and children should use under the guidance of a qualified physician and should not self-administer. Avoid excessive use—may cause allergic reactions such as urticaria and skin itching.
Selected Formulas
For headache (wind-headache) (Qianjin Fang) Take 2 sheng of Manjingzi (Vitex fruit, ground into powder) and 1 dou of wine. Place in a silk bag, soak for 7 nights. Take 3 he warm, three times daily. For wind-cold invading the eyes with swelling, pain, tearing, and photophobia (Bencao Huiyan) Take 3 qian of Manjingzi, 2 qian each of Jingjie (Schizonepeta) and Baijili (Tribulus fruit), 1 qian each of Chaihu (Bupleurum) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia), and 5 fen of Gancao (Licorice). Decoct in water and drink. For headache due to common cold (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9g each of Manjingzi, Zisuye (Perilla leaf), Bohe (Mint), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), and Juhua (Chrysanthemum). Decoct in water and drink. For headache and eye pain due to external wind-heat, and neurogenic headache (Hunan Materia Medica) Take 9g of Manjingzi, 9g each of Sangye (Mulberry leaf), Juhua, Bohe, Baizhi, and Jingjiezi (Schizonepeta fruit). Decoct in water and drink. For migraine (Modern Practical Chinese Medicine) Take 10g of Manjingzi, 8g of Gan Juhua (Chrysanthemum), 4g of Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), 3g of Xixin (Asarum), 4g of Gancao, and 3g of Baizhi. Add 500ml of water, decoct to 200ml, and take in three divided doses daily. For internal eye disorders due to overwork and irregular diet (Lanshi Micang, Manjingzi Tang) Take 1 liang each of Huangqi (Astragalus) and Renshen (Ginseng), 8 qian of honey-fried Gancao, 2.5 qian of Manjingzi, 3 qian of Huangbai (Phellodendron, stir-fried with wine four times), and 3 qian of Baishao (White peony). For each dose, take 3-5 qian, decoct in water and drink. For internal eye disorders due to overwork and irregular diet (Lanshi Micang, Manjingzi Tang) Take 1 liang each of Huangqi and Renshen, 8 qian of honey-fried Gancao, 2.5 qian of Manjingzi, 3 qian of Huangbai (stir-fried with wine four times), and 3 qian of Baishao. For each dose, take 3-5 qian, decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Wine infusion: Màn Jīng Zǐ can be steeped in white wine to make a medicinal wine for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place. Protect from moisture and insects.
