PlatycaryastrobilaceaSieb.etZucc
Aliases：Huàxiāngshùqiú (literally "Fragrant Tree Ball") and Huàxiāngguǒ (literally "Fragrant Fruit"). (These are alternative names for Huàxiāngshùguǒ, i.e., the fruit of Platycarya strobilacea.)
Huàxiāngshùguǒ (Fruit of Platycarya strobilacea) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried infructescence (fruit) of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc., a plant belonging to the family Juglandaceae.
Efficacy & Actions
Invigorates blood and promotes qi circulation, relieves pain, kills parasites and relieves itching. It is also recorded as regulating qi and dispelling wind, reducing swelling and relieving pain, drying dampness and killing parasites, or as clearing heat, removing toxicity, dispersing wind and relieving pain, invigorating blood and resolving stasis, and unblocking the orifices to expel pus.
Indications
Used for chest and abdominal distension and pain due to internal injury, traumatic injuries, sinew and bone pain, carbuncles and swellings, dampness sores, and scabies and ringworm. It is also used for rhinitis, headache, and abdominal pain.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: The infructescence of Platycarya strobilacea exhibits antitumor activity. The extract has anti‑cytotoxic effects and may help prevent cancer. Anti‑inflammatory effects: The extract of the infructescence has anti‑inflammatory effects and is commonly used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, and other inflammatory diseases. The infructescence serves as the principal herb (jun yao) in Xiangju Capsules, functioning to dispel wind, dry dampness, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. Antibacterial and antiviral effects: Exhibits antibacterial and antiviral activities. Antioxidant effects: Exhibits antioxidant and anti‑aging effects. Other effects: Inhibits harmful bacteria in the intestines.
Ingredients
Volatile oils: The volatile oil content of the infructescence of Platycarya strobilacea is 0.10%. Twenty‑seven chemical constituents have been identified, accounting for 92.10% of the total volatile oil components. The main components are γ‑eudesmol (18.92%), β‑eudesmol (18.74%), pentatetracontane (8.64%), n‑hexadecanoic acid (7.87%), hexadecanamide (5.04%), octadecanamide (4.84%), aromadendrene (4.23%), and dotriacontane (3.99%), etc. Phenolic, flavonoid, and terpenoid compounds: Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenoids are its main active components. Isolated and identified compounds: Eleven compounds have been isolated and identified from the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the infructescence, including n‑dotriacontane, ursolic acid, hexacosene, β‑sitosterol, daucosterol, etc. Organic acids: Contains gallic acid and ellagic acid in relatively high amounts. Tannins: The tannin content of the fruit can reach up to approximately 30%, making it an important source of hydrolyzable tannin extract in China.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 10–20 g. Or according to the traditional Chinese weight system, 3–6 qian (approximately 9–18 g). For topical use: decoct in water for washing; or grind into powder and mix with a suitable base for application.
Selected Formulas
For internal injury with chest distension, abdominal pain, and sinew-bone pain (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 15-18g of dried Huaxiangshu (Platycarya strobilacea) fruit and an equal amount of Shanzhagen (hawthorn root). Decoct in water, add burnt wine, and take on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. For toothache (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take several Huaxiangshu fruits, decoct in water, hold in the mouth and gargle. For damp sores on the feet (Hunan Materia Medica) Take Huaxiangshu fruit spikes, grind with salt into powder, and apply. For tinea and scabies (Hunan Materia Medica) Take Huaxiangshu fruit spikes, decoct in water, and wash the affected area. For infantile head sores (Hunan Materia Medica) Take Huaxiangshu fruit spikes, Fengshu qiu (a local herb), and sulfur. Grind together into powder, mix with tea oil, and apply. Swelling‑reducing ointment (general surgical use, from Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas) Take 10 jin of Huaxiangshu fruit, 5 jin each of eucalyptus leaves, Ya'er qin (a local herb), and Baiye Yeyong (a local herb) leaves. Decoct in water, concentrate into a paste with a net weight of 2 jin, then mix with Vaseline to make a 10% ointment for external use.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried infructescence (fruit) of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc., a plant belonging to the family Juglandaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
