Huai Shi (Sophora Fruit)
Huai Shi (Sophora Fruit) (Linked beads, yellow-green, brownish-black, rough, wrinkled, easily broken, sticky when the broken surface is immersed in water)
【Naming】
【Source】
Superior Grade in the Classic of Herbal Medicine
【Common Usage Level】
D
【Botanical Origin】
The dried mature fruit of Sophora japonica L. (Japanese Pagodatree) belonging to the family Fabaceae.
【Characteristics】
Cylindrical, sometimes curved, constricted between seeds to form a linked bead-like shape, 1~6㎝ long, 0.6~1㎝ in diameter. The surface is yellow-green or brownish-black, with a light yellow dorsal suture on one side, and often a fruit stalk at the base. The pulp is fleshy, soft, and sticky, shriveled after drying. It tastes slightly bitter. Contains 1~6 seeds. The seeds are kidney-shaped, 8~10㎜ long, 5~8㎜ wide, and about 5㎜ thick. The surface is smooth, brown to brownish-black, with an oval hilum on one side, a round micropyle next to it, and a slightly raised seed ridge on the other side. The seed coat is leathery, with 2 yellow-green cotyledons that have a beany smell when chewed.
【Processing】
1. Raw Huai Jiao (Sophora Fruit) 2. Huai Jiao Tan (Charred Sophora Fruit) 3. Mi Huai Jiao (Honey-fried Sophora Fruit)
【Identification】
Annotations to the Classic of Herbal Medicine: “Huai Shi (Sophora Fruit) is best when it has multiple linked beads.” Classified Materia Medica: “Tao Hongjing said: The best Sophora fruit has many linked beads.” Collection of Medical Prescriptions: “Huai Zi (Sophora seed) is the spiritual essence. The Broad Records of Matters and Affairs says: It is best when the seeds are linked together, single seeds are not used.” Herbal Compendium: “Those with one pod containing two or three seeds are good.” Compendium of Materia Medica: “It is best when the seeds are linked together.” Essentials of Materia Medica: “Aged ones are good.” Seeking Truth in Materia Medica: “Aged ones are good.”
The best are those with dried fruits, large and plump, yellow-green in color, soft and moist in texture, and free from branches, leaves, and mold spots.
【Category】
Fruits