Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch.
Aliases：Lǎn Rén (Olive Kernel).
Gǎn Lǎn Rén (Olive Kernel) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the seed kernel of Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch., a plant belonging to the family Burseraceae. The plant is an evergreen tree, 10–20 meters tall, with adhesive aromatic resin. It flowers from May to July and fruits from August to October. The fruit kernels are collected by breaking the hard shells, removing the seed kernels, and drying them in the sun.
Efficacy & Actions
Moistens dryness, relieves intoxication, and detoxifies. In addition, it also has the effects of moistening the Lung and killing parasites.
Indications
Indicated for dry and painful lips (dryness and chapping of the lips with pain), alcohol intoxication, and fish or crab poisoning. Kaibao Bencao (Kaibao Materia Medica) records: "Grind into powder and apply to dry and painful lips." Yilin Zuanyao (Essentials of Medical Compilation) records: "Moistens the Lung, relieves intoxication, and neutralizes fish and insect toxins." Suixiju Yinshi Pu (Suixiju Dietetic Manual) records: "Moistens the Lung, detoxifies, kills parasites, reduces susceptibility to pox, and neutralizes fishy odors."
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant effects: Antioxidant peptides can be isolated and purified from olive kernels. These peptides effectively bind to the key antioxidant protein superoxide dismutase (SOD) through hydrophobic effects and hydrogen bonds, thereby exerting antioxidant activity. Rich nutritional composition: Olive seeds (including the kernels) are a potential source of dietary fiber (45%), lipids (35%), and proteins (15%). Fatty acid composition: Thirteen fatty acids have been detected in olive kernel oil, with total unsaturated fatty acids reaching 73.4%, including linoleic acid (41.76%) and oleic acid (30.48%). In addition, olives (the fruit) exhibit pharmacological effects including alcohol detoxification, liver protection, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and detoxifying activities, with phenolic compounds being the main active components.
Ingredients
Olive kernels are rich in oils with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thirteen fatty acids have been detected in olive kernel oil, with total unsaturated fatty acids reaching 73.4%, mainly including linoleic acid (41.76%) and oleic acid (30.48%). The volatile oil of olive kernels mainly contains caryophyllene (36.25%) and α-caryophyllene (8.13%). In addition, olive kernels also contain daucosterol, oleanolic acid, and other components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–6 g. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied to the affected area.
Contraindications
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use this product under the guidance of a physician. Should be used under the guidance of a physician; excessive use should be avoided.
Selected Formulas
For dry and painful lips (Kaibao Bencao) Take olive kernels, grind into powder, and apply externally to the affected area. For throat discomfort and dryness due to fluid depletion (empirical formula: Olive Lean Pork Soup) Take 500g of lean pork, 8 olive kernels, and an appropriate amount of salt. Wash the olives and crack them open. Wash the pork and cut into large pieces. Bring water to a boil in a clay pot, add the olives and pork. After boiling, reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Season with salt before serving. Drink the soup and eat the meat.
Daily Consumption
Soup: Olive kernels can be stewed with ingredients such as pork in soups for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Seed kernel.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
