Moshizi (Gallnut) (Slightly spherical, with a gray or grayish-brown surface and wart-like protrusions)
Moshizi (Gallnut) (Cross-section of an insect gall)
【Naming】
【Source】
Hai Yao (Marine Materia Medica)
【Common Usage Level】
E
【Botanical Origin】
The dried insect gall formed on the young branches of the beech family plant, Quercus infectoria Olivier, parasitized by the gall wasp Cymips gallae- tinctoriae Olivier, collected before the adult insects have emerged.
【Characteristics】
The dried insect gall is slightly spherical with a short stalk; 1~2.5㎝ in diameter, with a gray or grayish-brown surface and wart-like protrusions. It is hard and thick, with an uneven fracture surface that is yellowish-white or light yellow in color and has a luster. The corpses of young wasps are commonly found. If the insect has flown out, there is a channel in the middle that connects to the small pores on the surface, and there are residual insect shells inside. It is odorless, with an astringent and bitter taste.
【Identification】
Ben Cao Bei Yao (Essentials of Materia Medica): “Those that come from Dashi (Arabia) and other foreign lands, with small grains and fine patterns, are the best.” Ben Jing Feng Yuan (Revisions on Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica): “Those that are old and have fine smoke (patterns) are the best.” Hui Sheng Ji (Collection for Revival): “Moshizi (Gallnut) (those that are blackish-yellow are the best).” The best are those with small grains, a bluish-gray color, and a firm texture. Those with holes are of lower quality.
【Category】
Other