Pinyin: Zaojiaoci
Aliases
Zaojia ci, Tiandingming, Zaojiao zhen, Zao zhen.
Source
Legume family plant Gleditsia sinensisGleditsia sinensisLam. thorns
Botanical Description
See the entry under "Zaojiao."
Harvesting and Processing
Can be harvested throughout the year, but it is best between September and March of the following year; slice and dry in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
This product consists of intact spines, including the main spine and 1-2 orders of branched spines. They are flat-cylindrical, 5-18 cm long, 8-12 mm thick at the base, and sharply pointed at the tip. The branched spines are arranged spirally, forming a 60°-80° angle with the main spine and extending outward. They are generally 1-7 cm long; on the secondary branches, there are often smaller spines, and the inner side of the base of the branched spines frequently has a small mound-like protrusion. The entire spine is purplish-brown, smooth or with fine wrinkles. It is light in weight, hard in texture, and difficult to break.
Chemical Constituents
Contains quercetin, fisetin, fustin, leucocyanidin, palmitic acid, and other constituents.
Properties and Channel Entry
Pungent, warm. Enters the Liver and Stomach channels.
Functions and Indications
Reduces swelling, expels toxins, drains pus, and kills parasites. Used for the early stages of abscesses or when pus has formed but does not discharge; externally treats scabies, tinea, and leprosy.
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct in water, 3-9 g; or made into pills or powder
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with ulcerated sores and pregnant women.
Prescriptions
1. For mastitis (breast abscess): Zaojiao Ci (Gleditsia sinensis thorn, half-roasted and half-raw) 15 g, Zhen Bang Fen (true clam powder) 9 g. Grind the above ingredients into a fine powder. Take 3 g per dose, mixed with wine. (From Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang) 2. For postpartum milk stasis: Zaojiao Ci (Gleditsia sinensis thorn) and Manjing Zi (Vitex rotundifolia fruit), each charred to preserve their properties, equal parts ground to a powder. Take 6 g with warm wine per dose. (From Xiu Zhen Fang) 3. For retained placenta: Zaojiao Ci (Gleditsia sinensis thorn), charred and ground into a powder. Take 3 g per dose, mixed with warm wine. (From Gang Mu, citing Xiong Shi Fu Ren Liang Fang Bu Yi) 4. For insufficient lactation: Zaojiao Ci (Gleditsia sinensis thorn) and Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria segetalis seed) 6 g each, Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus) 15 g, pig trotters 2 pieces. Boil until the meat is tender, remove the herbal residue, and eat the meat and drink the soup. (From An Hui Zhong Cao Yao) 5. For nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Zao Ci (Gleditsia sinensis thorn) and Zao Jiao Shu Zhi (Gleditsia sinensis branches) 360 g. Decoct in water until the liquid turns the color of yellow wine. Take 3 times daily, finishing within 2 days. (From Kang Ai Ben Cao)
