Flowering Quince Fruit (Mu Gua)

木瓜
Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus chaenomelis

Botanical Name: Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai

Common Name: Chaenomeles fruit, Flowering quince fruit, Chinese quince

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu

Part Used: The fruit is gathered in summer or autumn when it is ripe. Then it is halved, soaked in hot water, dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sour and warm

Meridians: Liver and spleen

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To promote blood circulation in the channels and collaterals;
2. To relax muscles and tendons;
3. To transform dampness and harmonize the stomach

Indications:
1. Convulsions and spasms. Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua) is used with Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao) in the formula Mugua Jian.

2. Painful and swollen legs with irritability. Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua) is used with Evodia fruit (Wuzhuyu) and Areca seed (Binglang) in the formula Jiming San.

3. Wind-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as rheumatic pain, numbness of limbs and joint pain. Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua) is used with Tetrandra root (Fangji), Clematis root (Weilingxian) and Chinese angelica root (Danggui).

Dosage: 6-12 g