TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS.—蒺藜 (Chi-li), 52. The Erhya gives 茨 (Tzŭ) as the classical name. It is the calthrop, and is found in many parts of China. On account of the spiny character of the fruit it is called 止行 (Chih-hsing), “preventing walking.” There are two kinds, the common kind being called 杜蒺藜 (Tu-chi-li) and another kind coming from Shensi is called 白蒺藜 (Pai-chi-li), 936, or 沙苑蒺藜 (Sha-yüan-chi-li), 1081, from the place from which it is brought. The seeds of the ordinary kind are considered to be diuretic, tonic, abortifacient, galactagogue, alterative, and anthelmintic. They are used in spermatorrhœa, anæmia, in parturition, coughs, purulent expectoration, and hemmorrhoids. The seeds of the white kind are specially recommended in kidney difficulties and spermatorrhœa. The flowers are recommended in white leprosy, and a decoction of the shoots is used in scaly and scabious skin diseases.