Pine Nuts
【Naming】
【Source】
Kaibao Materia Medica‧Sea Pine Nuts
【Frequency of Use】
D
【Botanical Origin】
The seeds of Korean Pine, *Pinus koraiensis* Sieb. et Zuoc., a plant of the Pinaceae family.
【Description】
The cones are large, oval-oblong, 9-14cm long, 6-8cm in diameter, initially green, then turning yellowish-brown. The cone scales are rhomboid or scale-ovate, elongated and recurved at the apex, with coarse hairs, each with 2 seeds. The seeds are oval-triangular, wingless, reddish-brown, 1-18mm long, and 9-16mm wide.
【Identification】
*Hai Yao Ben Cao* states: “It is very fragrant and delicious when eaten after removing the skin, and it is different from Yunnan Pine Nuts.” *Kai Bao Ben Cao* says: “Grows in Silla. Like small chestnut triangles. The kernel is fragrant and delicious, and the Eastern Yi people eat it as fruit.” *Ben Cao Gang Mu* says: “Sea Pine Nuts come from Liaodong and Yunnan. Their trees are the same as Chinese pine trees, except that those with five leaves in a cluster have seeds inside the cones, as large as Croton seeds and with ridges, with one pointed end. They become oily after long storage.” It is best to choose those with large grains, light yellow color, plump seeds without shells, and shiny appearance.
【Category】
Seeds