Maclura Cochinchinensis an Excellent Remedy for Contusions

The Golden Cinnamon is an essential component in traditional Chinese medicine, renowned for its unique fragrance and numerous medicinal properties. It is known for its ability to warm and disperse cold, activate blood circulation, and resolve blood stasis. As a result, it is widely used in Chinese herbal formulas to treat symptoms such as coldness in the spleen and stomach, and menstrual pain. Its aromatic flavor also makes it a common seasoning in cooking and baking, adding flavor and fragrance to dishes. Origin: [Botanical Name]: Golden Cinnamon [English Name]: Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner [Family]: Moraceae [Other Names]: Taiwanese Hedge, Hong Kong Hedge, Aotou Changzhi, Da Ding Guang, Ci Ge (Taiwan), Nu Tuo (Shi Yi), Xian Zhi (Jiong Mu). Distribution and Morphology: [Distribution]: Found in South China, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Africa, and Taiwan. [Morphology]: The Golden Cinnamon is an evergreen dioecious shrub, growing up to 2-4 meters in height. It can be erect or climbing. The roots have an orange-yellow bark, and the branches are gray-brown, smooth, and dotted with scattered lenticels, featuring erect or slightly curved spines, thick and measuring 5-10mm in length. The leaves are alternate and simple; leaf blades are leathery, inverted ovate, oval, or elongated oval, measuring 3-9cm in length and 1-2.8cm in width, with blunt or gradually pointed tips and sometimes with slight notches at the base. The leaf margins are entire, and both surfaces are hairless. There are 3 primary veins and 6-9 pairs of secondary veins. The leaf stalks are 5-10mm long. The inflorescence is globose, single or in pairs in the axils, with short stalks and covered with soft hairs. The flowers are unisexual; the male inflorescence has a diameter of about 1.8cm, and the male flowers have 4 petal-like structures with thick and hairy tips. The multiple fruits are globose, fleshy, orange-red when ripe, measuring 3-5cm in diameter, and covered in hairs. The achenes are enclosed within the fleshy perianth and bracts. It flowers from April to May and bears fruit from September to October. Functions and Indications: The rhizomes of Golden Cinnamon, when decocted and ingested, have febrifuge and detoxifying properties, making them an excellent remedy for contusions. The fruit acts as a tonic. The leaves are used to treat insomnia, while the spines have the function of dispersing blood stasis. It is primarily used to treat accumulations and obstructions in the abdomen and lumps. The rhizomes are employed to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, stomach, and duodenal ulcers. [Source]: Illustrated Handbook of Commonly Used Medicinal Plants in Taiwan, Volume III.