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Plum
Prunus salicina Lindl
JAPANESE PLUM, LI
The plum, or Japanese plum, li,
is also called san hua li (triple splendid plum) and li zi (plum) It is a
deciduous tree which can reach a height of 10 meters. The fruit is ball
shaped with a diameter of 25-40mm, the base of the fruit is concave and
there is a thin groove down one side of the fruit.
The surface of the fruit is smooth with a waxy gloss. It may be green,
yellow or purple-red. The flesh may be cream, pink or blood red. It can be
crisp and sweet or acid-sweet and astringent. In the centre of the fruit is
a single hard stone containing a kernel.
The fruit ripens in the summer. Its nature is cool. It can cool fever,
benefit the urine and relieve indigestion.
The flavor of the kernel is bitter, its nature neither hot nor cold. It
promotes blood circulation, benefits the urine and lubricates the
intestines.
The fruit contains asparamide, glycine, amino acids, fat, calcium,
phosphorous, iron, carotene, nicotinic acid, vitamin B1, B2, C, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. INDIGESTION. Take two pieces of fresh fruit. Eat one in the morning and
one in the evening.
2. BLEEDING GUMS, GINGIVITIS. Take 1-2 pieces of fresh fruit and eat them
once a day.
3. CHRONIC THROAT INFLAMMATION; TONSILLITIS; PERIODONTITIS (INFLAMMATION
AROUND TEETH); TOOTHACHE; SORES ON TONGUE AND INSIDE MOUTH. Take 2 pieces of
pickled plum, including the stones, and crush. Add a little table salt and
one cup of boiling water. Mix and put to one side to cool. Gargle with this
liquid several times a day.
4. CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER; DYSURIA. Take 2 or 3 sweet plums, including the
stones, and crush them. Add 1 cup of boiling water, mix, and obtain the
juice. Drink this daily, both in the morning and again in the evening.
5. BOILS, SWOLLEN AND INFECTED. Take 1-2 pieces of pickled plum, discard the
stone and crush. Apply to the affected place. Change the dressing daily.
6. ECZEMA; PRURITUS. Take 250-500 grams of pickled plum, crush, add water
and simmer. Use the liquid to wash the affected parts several times a day.
7. CONSTIPATION. Take 12 grams of the kernel and crush it. Add water, steam
and serve. Wait for 4 hours before repeating the dose.
8. INJURIES FROM FALLS, SPRAINS,
ETC.; PAIN DUE TO BLOOD STASIS. Take 9 grams of kernels, crush and add 30-60
grams of rice wine*. Stir, then strain
off the larger particles. Drink the liquid and use the sediment to rub on
the affected place. Do this daily, both in the morning and in the evening. (*
Japanese sake can be used. Ed.)
9.INSECT STINGS, INCLUDING SCORPION STINGS, THAT ARE SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL.
Take some kernels, crush them and apply to the affected place.
PREPARATIONS
PICKLED PLUM. Take fresh fruit and soak it in vinegar. In this form it is
known as pickled plum.
WARNING
Do not eat large quantities of the fruit, as this can injure the spleen and
stomach. If suffering from stomach ulcers and acute or chronic
gastroenteritis do not eat any plums.
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