Duck Soap Bark

Duck Soap Bark

(Chinese medicine and plant Atlas)

[source] the bark of the leguminous plant Sapindus sinensis.

[plant morphology] yazaoshu, also known as Liqiu flower, Yingshu, Niujiao flower, Xinwen flower, Cymbidium, Acacia and Jingqiu flower.

Spiny shrubs or small trees, 2-4 m high. Branches slightly zigzag with lenticels; stipules spinose, sharp, ca. 1.2 cm long. Leaves 2-20 mm long, pinnately oblong to 2-8 mm long, pinnate to 2-20 mm long. Inflorescence 1 or 2-3 axillary, globose, flowers numerous and dense, about 1 cm in diameter; peduncle hairy, 1-3 cm long; flowers yellow, very fragrant, about 1 mm long; calyx campanulate, upper calyx teeth short and obtuse; corolla tubular, 5-lobed; stamens numerous; ovary long tubular, stigma apex curved. Pods cylindric, inflated, 4-10 cm long, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, straight or curved. The flowering period is October.

Wild or cultivated. It is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Fujian, Zhejiang and Taiwan.

The root of this plant (yazaoshu root) is also used for medicine. See special section for details.

[collection] it can be harvested all year round, fresh or dried in the sun.

[chemical composition and pharmacological action] it contains catechu tannin (3.45%), which can treat trauma and mucosal inflammation. See "Baby Tea".

[functions and indications] Chinese plant Atlas: "astringency and hemostasis. The decoction can make catechu. "

[usage and dosage] oral administration: decoction, 0.5-1 yuan. External use: grind and sprinkle.