Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark) (Platy, grayish-yellow, extremely rough, inner surface with flat longitudinal lines, fibrous, bitter)

Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark) Slices

Stir-fried Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark) Slices

Chun Gen Pian (Tree-of-Heaven Root Slices)

【Naming】

Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark)

 【Source】

Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica) – Chun Chu (Tree-of-Heaven and Chinese Ailanthus)

 【Common Usage Level】

D

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried trunk bark or whole root of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, belonging to the Simaroubaceae family.

 【Characteristics】

The dried trunk bark is thicker than the root bark and appears as irregular lumps of varying sizes, about 1.5~2㎝ thick. The outer bark is dark gray, extremely rough and uneven, with cracks. The lenticels are large and arranged longitudinally. Sometimes the cork is scraped off, revealing a light brownish-yellow cortex. The inner surface has longitudinal striations and dense small pores. It is hard and brittle, easily broken, has a granular fracture surface, and tastes bitter.

The dried root bark is irregularly shaped, mostly in the form of flat pieces or rolled cylinders. The size, length, and thickness vary greatly, ranging from 3~10㎝ in length and 5~10㎜ in thickness. The outer surface is yellowish-brown, rough, with obvious lenticels that are longitudinally elongated. Sometimes the outer cork falls off, exposing the yellowish-white cortex. The inner surface is light yellow and relatively flat. It is firm and brittle, with an uneven fracture surface. It has an oily, fishy odor that is strong after breaking and a very bitter and lasting taste.

Processed pieces are usually cut into square blocks of about 1.5㎝. The cut surface has slight pores, and the inner surface is yellowish-white and tastes bitter. After stir-frying, it turns yellowish-brown.

 【Processing】

1. Raw Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark) 2. Stir-fried Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark)

 【Identification】

《Ben Cao Bei Yao (Essentials of Materia Medica)》: “The fragrant one is Chun (Chinese toon), with firm and red flesh, and its seedlings can be eaten. The stinky one is Chu (Tree-of-Heaven), with hollow and white flesh. The main treatments are roughly the same, and the root pulled from the east is good.” 《Hui Sheng Ji (Collection for Returning to Life)》: “Stinky Chun Pi (Tree-of-Heaven Bark) from the upper and middle parts is better.”

This product is not graded. It is best to have neat blocks that are not moldy or black, with yellowish-white skin and dry body.

 【Category】

Bark Category