Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre
Aliases：Rén Miàn Guǒ (Human-Face Fruit), Yín Lián Guǒ (Silver Lotus Fruit).
Rén Miàn Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal material derived from the dried ripe fruit of Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre, a plant belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. This plant is an evergreen large tree, reaching over 20 meters in height. It is named “Rén Miàn Zǐ” (literally “Human Face Fruit”) because the pits of its fruit have depressions that resemble a human face. Rén Miàn Zǐ was first recorded in the Qing Dynasty work Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Strengthens the Stomach, promotes fluid production, relieves intoxication, and detoxifies.
Indications
Indicated for poor appetite, thirst due to febrile diseases, alcohol intoxication, sore throat, and wind-toxin skin itching and sores. Luchuan Bencao records that it “strengthens the Stomach and treats poor appetite”; Lingnan Caiyao Lu records that it “relieves sore throat and removes necrotic tissue”.
Modern Pharmacology
Promotion of wound healing: The leaf extract of Rén Miàn Zǐ can significantly shorten wound healing time and effectively prevent bacterial infections caused by bedsores. Antibacterial effects: The leaf extract shows antibacterial efficacy in the treatment of bedsores. Antioxidant effects: The bark of Rén Miàn Zǐ contains total flavonoids with antioxidant activity.
Ingredients
The bark of Rén Miàn Zǐ contains total flavonoids. The pits and fruits contain various active components. In addition, the leaves contain tannins and other components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: eat raw, 3–5 pieces; or decoct in water; or burn the pits to charcoal and grind into powder. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold.
Selected Formulas
For infantile convulsions with upward‑gazing eyes, spasms of the limbs, and opisthotonos (Shiwu Bencao Huizuan) Take the kernels of the Renmianzi (Spondias dulcis fruit), burn them to ash, and take orally. For carbuncle on the back (Lingnan Caicai Lu) Take several Renmianzi fruits, remove the kernels, mix with one crucian carp, crush together, and apply externally. For acute mastitis (empirical formula) Take the root bark of Renmianzi, decoct with an appropriate amount of wine and take orally, 10–15g; or soak in wine and drink. For chronic ulcers and bedsores (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Renmianzi leaves, decoct in water and wash the affected area externally.
Daily Consumption
Raw consumption: The fresh fruit can be eaten directly, but it is sour and astringent, so it is rarely eaten raw. Salting or pickling: The fruit can be salted and dried for consumption, or made into preserved fruit. Decoction: The fruit can be decocted in water for oral administration. Rén Miàn Sauce: It can be made into a sauce with fermented soybeans, chili peppers, and other ingredients, which is delicious and flavorful. Congee: In some regions, Rén Miàn Zǐ is added to plain congee. Charred pits: The pits can be burned to charcoal and ground into powder for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe fruit. In addition, its root bark and leaves are also used medicinally.
Selection & Storage
Harvest the ripe fruits in autumn, dry them in the sun, or preserve them with salt. The seeds may be air-dried and stored in cloth bags in a ventilated place.
