Evodia Rutaecarpa (Pentagonal oblate spheroid, yellowish-greenish-brown, concave pit, star-shaped fissure, glandular dotted oily appearance, hard and brittle with plump grains, bitter, pungent, and aromatic)
(Left 7) Common (Upper Right) Sichuan (Lower Right) Small Evodia Rutaecarpa
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica, middle class
【Common Usage Level】
B
【Botanical Origin】
The dried unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth., family Rutaceae.
【Characteristics】
It is a pentagonal oblate spheroid, 2-5 mm in diameter and about 1.5-3 mm high. The surface is green or greenish-brown, rough, with dotted protrusions, fine wrinkles and bristles (oil cells). The top is flat with a concave pit in the middle and a 5-pointed star-shaped fissure. The base has sepals and a fruit stalk. The five capsules are tightly held inward. In the cross-section, the ovary has 5 chambers, each with 1-2 light yellow seeds. The seeds are rich in oil, hard and easily broken, with a strong aroma, and a bitter and slightly spicy taste.
【Processing】
Prepared (stir-fried) Evodia Rutaecarpa
【Identification】
《Essential Secrets from the Outer Terrace》: “For Euphorbia fischeriana, Immature Bitter Orange, Tangerine Peel, Pinellia Rhizome, Ephedra, and Evodia Rutaecarpa, the aged ones are better. The rest should be fresh and new.” 《Zheng Lei Ben Cao》: “The ones from the northeastern shady side are good.” 《Yi Fang Lei Ju》: “Evodia Rutaecarpa pickled in salt is good.” 《Yi Fang Lei Ju》: “Evodia Rutaecarpa with fine grains and green color is good.” 《Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao》: “The ones from the Wu region of Shu Prefecture are the best.” 《Ben Cao Gang Mu》: “The smaller ones are better for medicinal use.” 《Ben Cao Qiu Zhen》: “The aged ones are good.” 《Good and Bad Identification》: “The ones with a pungent and bitter taste are good.”
【Identification Terminology】
1. Bristles (bristled skin, seed eyes): refers to the many dotted protrusions or concave glandular dots on the surface of the Evodia Rutaecarpa medicinal material, i.e., oil cells.
It is best if it is plump, firm, uniform, strongly aromatic, and free of branches and impurities.
【Category】
Fruits