Borneol (Large Plum Borneol) (Crystals resemble plum blossoms, layered and translucent like ice, white in color and hard in texture, with a clear, fragrant, and cooling sensation, burning without residue)

Borneol (Small Plum Borneol, Small Three Plum, Old Plum)

Small Three Plum above, Large Three Plum below

Chemically synthesized Borneol

【Name】

Borneol

 【Source】

Newly Revised Materia Medica

 【Common Usage Level】

B

 【Botanical Source】

Crystals obtained from the fresh leaves of Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertner of the Dipterocarpaceae family or Blumea balsamifera DC. of the Compositae family, through steam distillation and cooling. Domestically produced natural Borneol on the market is made from the latter, Blumea balsamifera. Synthetic borneol is produced by hydrogenation of camphor.

 【Characteristics】

It appears as semi-transparent lumps, flakes, or granular crystals, 1-7mm in diameter and about 1mm thick, off-white to light grayish-brown. It has a clear fragrance, a cool taste, and slowly dissolves when chewed. After a small amount is sublimated and observed under a microscope, the crystals are rod-shaped or polygonal. When burned, there is no black smoke or very little black smoke.

 【Identification】

Mingyi Bielu: “Comes from the country of Polu, shaped like white rosin, with the scent of cedar, the clear and pure ones are good.” Zhenglei Bencao: “The clear and pure ones are good,” “The trees are over ten feet tall, the red and black seeds are the best.” Bencao Pinhui Jingyao: “The clear and pure resin is the best.” Bencao Gangmu: “The best ones are white and crystal clear like ice, and those shaped like plum blossoms.” Bencao Gangmu: “The clear and pure ones are good. Those that have been exposed to wind and sun for a long time or are like bird droppings are not good.” Bencao Beiyao: “Comes from the Southern Barbarians, said to be old fir resin, the best are white like ice, shaped like plum blossoms.” Jingyan Danfang Huibian: “Borneol, like fine plum blossom petals, light, clean, slightly white, with a very strong scent, is genuine.” Yanfang Xinbian: “Borneol is often faked with camphor, the best is ivory-colored and shaped like plum blossoms.” Yanfang Xinbian: “The top grade is plum blossom shaped borneol with ivory color.” Lianglie Jianbie: “The best is light brownish-yellow with countless long root-like fibers. If it is dark brown or has few root-like fibers, it is useless.” Lianglie Jianbie: “The substance that resembles fallen plum blossom petals is called Plum Blossom Borneol, the larger the shape, the higher the value, which is divided into First Plum, Second Plum, Third Plum, and Fourth Plum.”
Natural old Borneol is best when it is the color of polished rice, with a jade-like luster, a faint and elegant fragrance, a loose and brittle texture, a pure and fragrant aroma, and a refreshing and awakening effect. Plum Blossom Borneol is the best. Synthetic Borneol is transparent and glossy, with a strong fragrance. The best ones are large, thin, and pure white.

 【Category】

Other