Privet Fruit (Oblong-ovate, blackish-purple, wrinkled, pedicel scar, thin skin, soft flesh, easily peeled)

(Top) Privet Fruit (Bottom) Sophora Flavescens Fruit

【Naming】

Privet Fruit

 【Source】

Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Upper Class

 【Commonly Used Degree】

B

 【Origin】

The dried ripe fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. of the Oleaceae family.

 【Characteristics】

The fruit is small, kidney-shaped, oblong-ovate, or elliptical-bead-shaped, some are slightly curved, 5~10㎜ long, 3~4㎜ in diameter, the outer skin is black or purple, with wrinkles, both ends are blunt and round, the base often has persistent calyx and fruit stalk scars, the texture is firm, the body is light and loose. The seeds are gray-brown, kidney-shaped, flat and straight on the ventral side, and convex on the dorsal side. The surface has countless small pits, the cross-section is off-white, oily, aromatic, and tastes sweet and slightly bitter. Wine-processed Privet Fruit: appears dark brown.

 【Processing】

1. Privet Fruit 2. Wine-processed Privet Fruit

 【Identification】

“Best harvested in winter solstice” (from *Essentials of Materia Medica*).
Good quality is characterized by large, full grains, thick flesh, blue-black color, firm texture, dryness, and absence of mud. Smaller grains with yellow color are of secondary quality.

 【Category】

Fruits