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Raisin Tree
Hovenia dulcis Thunb. WAN SHOU
GUO
The raisin tree, wan shou guo
(ten thousand years longevity fruit) is also called zhi zao (trifoliate
orange date), wan zi guo (ten thousand characters fruit) guai zao (crippled
date) and zhi ju guo (raisin tree fruit).
It is a deciduous tree growing to
10 meters. The twisted and branched swollen and fleshy fruit stalk is used
as the fruit and is likened in appearance to a hen's foot.
The fleshy stalk is about 3-5 mm
in diameter, smooth and bright in appearance and reddish brown. The small
nutlets at the end of the stalks ripen in autumn, and this is the best time
to harvest the fruit, when its flavor is sweet and it is full of moisture.
The fruit stalk has a sweet
flavor and is neutral in nature. It invigorates the spleen, strengthens the
stomach, nourishes the yin and benefits the blood.
The seed has a sweet flavor and
is neutral in nature. It cools fever, benefits the urine, quenches thirst
and neutralizes the effects of alcohol.
The fruit contains glucose and
calcium malate, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. WEAKNESS AFTER ILLNESS OR
GIVING BIRTH; DEBILITY DURING CONVALESCENCE. Take 30 grams of fresh fruit
stalks or one (Chinese) soup spoon of fruit paste once in the morning and
again the evening for a month.
2. ANAEMIA. Take 30 grams of
fresh or dried fruit stalks and serve once in the morning and again in the
evening for a fortnight.
3.
SWOLLEN AND FULL FEELING IN CHEST
AND STOMACH; INDIGESTION. Take 30 grams of fresh fruit stalks (or 15 grams
of dried stalks) plus 3 grams of dried orange peel. Steam in water and
serve. If necessary repeat the dose 4 hours later.
4. FEVER AND THIRST; DIFFICULTY
IN URINATION. Take 12 grams of sugarcane, simmer in water and drink in the
place of tea.
5. HANGOVER. Take 15 grams of the
fruit seed and 9grams of the flower of the kudzu vine (Pueraria thunbergiana),
simmer together with water and serve.
PREPARATION
1. SEEDS. The part of the fruit
that contains the seed is collected and crushed to obtain the seeds, which
are then dried in the sun.
2. FRUIT PASTE (called zhi zao
gao). Take 500 grams of dried fruit and 500 grams of red Chinese dates
Discard the date stones, cover with water and steam until cooked. Add 500
grams of sugar and stir until it is dissolved.
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