Mountain Spicy Fruit
- Chinese
- 毕澄茄
- Pinyin
- Bi Cheng Qie
- Latin
- Fructus Litseae
Known in TCM as Bi Cheng Qie (毕澄茄), this acrid, warm herb enters the Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, and Bladder. Traditionally, it warms the Middle Burner, dispels Cold, and alleviates pain; treats epigastric and abdominal pain from Cold accumulation, most often applied for abdominal pain, nausea, and frequent urination. Modern research has identified Citral among its active constituents.
Part used: Fruit
Also Known As
Latin: Fructus Litseae | Pinyin: Bi Cheng Qie | Chinese: 毕澄茄
TCM Properties
- Taste
- acrid
- Temperature
- warm
- Channels
- Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, Bladder
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner, dispels Cold, and alleviates pain; treats epigastric and abdominal pain from Cold accumulation
- Redirects rebellious Qi downward; relieves vomiting and hiccup from Stomach Cold
- Warms the Kidney and promotes Qi transformation for frequent urination and urinary frequency from Kidney Yang deficiency
Classical References
- Documented in later Chinese materia medica as a warming aromatic fruit for Cold-pattern digestive and urinary complaints
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Citral (fruit essential oil)
- 1,8-cineole (leaf, flower, and twig oil)
- Limonene
Studied Effects
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antioxidant activity documented across essential oil extracts from fruit, leaf, and twig
- Antifungal activity demonstrated against multiple pathogenic fungi and food-spoilage organisms
- Investigated for applications in food preservation given its antimicrobial profile
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Heat patterns from Excess or Deficiency
Cautions
- Essential oil forms are concentrated and should not be ingested directly without professional guidance
Conditions
- Abdominal Pain Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Nausea Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Frequent Urination Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Poor Appetite Traditional ★☆☆☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mountain Spicy Fruit used for?
Mountain Spicy Fruit is traditionally used to Warms the Middle Burner, dispels Cold, and alleviates pain; treats epigastric and abdominal pain from Cold accumulation, Redirects rebellious Qi downward; relieves vomiting and hiccup from Stomach Cold, Warms the Kidney and promotes Qi transformation for frequent urination and urinary frequency from Kidney Yang deficiency. Research has investigated its effects on: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antioxidant activity documented across essential oil extracts from fruit, leaf, and twig; Antifungal activity demonstrated against multiple pathogenic fungi and food-spoilage organisms.
What are other names for Mountain Spicy Fruit?
Mountain Spicy Fruit is also known as Litsea cubeba, Mountain Pepper, May Chang. In TCM: 毕澄茄 (Bi Cheng Qie); Fructus Litseae.
Is Mountain Spicy Fruit safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Mountain Spicy Fruit during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Mountain Spicy Fruit?
Mountain Spicy Fruit should not be used in: Heat patterns from Excess or Deficiency. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.