Lu Lu Tong (Spherical, aggregate fruit, brownish-brown, bird-beak-like thorns, light and hard)
【Name】
【Source】
Compendium of Materia Medica – Supplements
【Frequency of Use】
C
【Botanical Origin】
The dried mature fruit spike of Liquidambar formosana Hance, of the Hamamelidaceae family. Also known as Feng Shi (楓實).
【Characteristics】
The aggregate fruit is spherical, 2~3㎝ in diameter, with a grayish-brown or dark brown surface and numerous bird-beak-like thorns, about 5~8㎜ long, often broken. The base of the aggregate fruit retains the residual fruit stalk, which is sometimes broken. The capsules are small, containing 2 seeds. The seeds are light brown and shiny. It has a peculiar odor and a bland taste.
【Identification】
The ones that are yellow in color and large in size are considered to be of good quality.
【Category】
Fruits