Chebulae Fructus (Oblong, glossy, 5 longitudinal ridges, rounded base with fruit stem scar, pulp yellowish-brown, sour and astringent)
Baked Chebulae Fructus
Baked Chebulae Fructus
Immature Chebulae Fructus (Dark brown, covered with distinct longitudinal wrinkles)
【Naming】
【Source】
Newly Revised Materia Medica‧訶黎勒 (He Li Le, another name for Chebulae Fructus)
【Commonly Used Degree】
C
【Botanical Origin】
The dried ripe fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. of the Combretaceae family.
【Characteristics】
Ovoid, resembling olives, slightly pointed at both ends, 3.5 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide. The surface is yellowish-green or grayish-brown, slightly glossy, with 5 longitudinal ridges and numerous longitudinal wrinkles. There is a circular fruit stem scar at the base. It is firm and solid. Inside is a hard, dull, rounded, yellowish-white core. The shell is thick, and after crushing, contains small, white seeds. It has a slight odor and a sour and astringent taste.
【Processing】
1. Raw Chebulae Fructus 2. Baked Chebulae Fructus
【Identification】
《Zheng Lei Ben Cao》: “The one with thick flesh is good.” 《Ben Cao Yan Yi Bu Yi》: “Chebulae Fructus is He Li Le. The one with six ridges, black color, and thick flesh is good. Also, the seeds that fall before they are ripe, called Sui Feng Zi (following-the-wind seed), are especially precious, and the smaller ones are better.” 《Ben Cao Bei Yao》: “The one with six ridges, black color, and thick flesh is good.” 《Liang Lie Jian Bie》: “The one with black skin, more flesh inside, and a astringent taste is superior.”
The ones that are yellowish-brown, glossy, and firm are better.
Attached: Immature Chebulae Fructus ○E
Immatrurus Fructus Terminaliae
Source: The dried young fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. of the Combretaceae family.
Characteristics: Flattened, oblong-ovoid, with a fruit stem scar at the lower part, 2-3 cm long and 0.5-1.2 cm wide. The outer surface is dark brown, covered with distinct longitudinal wrinkles. It is hard and solid, with fleshy, yellowish-green pulp. The core is not obvious, slightly hollow, and the smaller ones are dark brown and not hollow. It has no odor and a bitter, astringent, and slightly sweet taste.
Quality identification: The ones that are dry, solid, uniform in size, and have no hollow cross-section are better.
【Category】
Fruits