Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) (Spindle-shaped sac, oblong, rhomboid, yellowish-gray brown, grayish-white soft and smooth villi, hard and brittle texture, hollow, angular rhomboid with many branches)
Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) (Du Bei, round and sac-like, astringent)
【Naming】
【Source】
Kai Bao (Kaibao Materia Medica)
【Frequency of Use】
D
【Botanical Origin】
The insect galls on the leaves or leaflets of Rhus chinensis Mill. or Rhus Potanini Maxim. (both belonging to the Anacardiaceae family), formed by the parasitic activity of the aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis Bell, and dried.
【Characteristics】
(1) Du Bei: Also known as Dujiaobei (single-horned gall). It is spindle-shaped or oblong, relatively long and large, without protrusions or branches. The outer surface has less fluff, and the wall is 2-3mm thick. The texture is brittle and easy to break, with a horny luster on the cross-section. It contains black-brown aphid corpses and powdery excrement. The fractured surface is horny and brighter than Jiaobei (angular gall). It has a unique odor, astringent taste, and softens when boiled in water.
(2) Jiao Bei: Also known as Lingbei (rhomboid gall) or Huabei (flowery gall). It is irregular in shape, sac-like or rhomboid, or branched. The body is relatively small, with several nodular protrusions or angular branches. The surface is yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, with grayish-white, soft, and smooth villi. The texture is firm and brittle, hollow. After crushing, black-brown aphid layers, white outer skin, and powdery excrement can be seen. The fragments have thinner walls, 1-2mm thick, and the inner wall is light brown and smooth. The fractured surface is horny. The odor is subtle and unique, and the taste is astringent with astringent properties.
【Identification】
《Xu Ming Yi Lei An (Continuation of Famous Physicians’ Case Records)》: “Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) with a reddish color is of good quality.” 《Liang Lie Jian Bie (Differentiation of Good and Bad Quality)》: “That with a yellowish-brown luster and large shape is good, while small and fragmented ones are useless.”
1. Jiao Bei: The best are those with thick skin, grayish-brown color, and intact and unbroken.
2. Du Bei: The best are those with large size, thick skin, firm texture, and intactness.
【Category】
Other