ZANTHOXYLUM BUNGEI

ZANTHOXYLUM BUNGEI.—秦椒 (Ch‘in-chiao); also called 大椒 (Ta-chiao) and 花椒 (Hua-chiao), 492. As indicated by the first name, this originally came from Shensi, and the drug consists of the small, red, tuberculated carpels, called 椒紅 (Chiao-hung), inclosing the black, round, shining seed. By abortion, the carpels, normally four in number, are reduced to two, and the slender pedicles attached to the carpels are often found mixed with the dehisced carpels. The drug has an aromatic odor, and a peculiar, pungent, and terebinthinate flavor, with a benumbing, acrid after-taste, faintly resembling that of aconite. The properties which render it condimental and medicinal are probably due to the oleo-resin of the tubercles of the pericarp. The leaves are also collected and used with the fruits as medicine. They are also employed for feeding silk-worms. The resemblance of this fruit to Zanthoxylum piperitum is noted, but the fruits are said to be larger and the seeds smaller than in the latter. It occurs in different parts of the country in both the wild and cultivated state. Its medicinal virtues are considered to be carminative, stimulant, sudorific, emmenagogue, astringent, and anthelmintic. Its use as a condiment is regarded as highly beneficial to all the vital processes. An infusion in vinegar dropped into the ear is said to be able to drive out every form of bug or worm that may have invaded that cavity.