This product is the thorn of the leguminous plant Chinese Honeylocust Fruit. It is distributed in Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Gansu, and other provinces and regions. It can be harvested all year round, with the period from September to March of the following year being the most suitable. The thorns are cut off, dried in the sun, or sliced longitudinally into oblique or thin pieces while fresh, and then dried.

The thorns of Chinese Honeylocust Fruit were first recorded in Tujing Bencao. Su Song stated that boiling Gleditsia Spine with rice vinegar to make a decoction and applying it to sores and ringworm has remarkable effects; Bencao Gangmu lists this product under the entry for "Chinese Honeylocust Fruit." Li Shi-zhen said: "It treats abscesses, jealous breasts, wind-induced malignant sores, and retained placenta." He also said: "It treats wind and kills worms, with effects similar to the pod, but its sharpness directly reaches the affected area, which is different."

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Acrid, warm. Act on lung and large intestine meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

It has the functions of promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, expelling pus, and promoting lactation.

bubble_chart Indications

Used for the initial stages of abscesses, sores, and toxins, or when pus has formed but not ruptured, and for insufficient lactation. It is also applied externally for treating sores and ringworm. It has shown some effectiveness in treating acute tonsillitis, with body temperature and white blood cell count typically returning to normal by the next day after medication, and symptoms and tonsil redness and swelling alleviating.

Dose 3～9g, apply an appropriate amount externally, decoct with vinegar and apply to the affected area.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Avoid use in cases of suppurated abscesses and during pregnancy.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains flavonoids: fustin (also known as dihydrofisetin), fisetin, and leucoanthocyanidins. Additionally, it contains phenols, amino acids, and other compounds.