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Wild Tamarind |
A significant number of wild fruits have played an important role in disease prevention, such as mountain gardenia, mangrove apple, fig, and wild tamarind. Among them, many have become export commodities and valuable medicinal materials with high active ingredients.
Mountain Gardenia (Gardenia stenophylla Merr.)
Belonging to the coffee family (Rubiaceae), also known as Thủy Hoàng Chi, it is commonly found in cool, shady mountainous areas, such as near streams or large lakes. The fruits are harvested from July to September when they are fully ripe, with the stems removed and then dried or lightly roasted. Some sources suggest that the fruits should be dipped in boiling water or steamed before drying. This medicinal material is known as Sơn Chi Tử, used either raw, roasted yellow, or roasted black.
For treating jaundice, viral hepatitis, and stomatitis: Use 12 g of Sơn Chi Tử, 16 g of nhân trần (Thistle), and 8 g of đại hoàng (Rhubarb). All ingredients should be chopped, boiled with 400 ml of water until only 100 ml remains, and consumed in two doses throughout the day.
For treating swollen and painful testicles: Use Sơn Chi Tử (roasted black), 30 g each of tiểu hồi (Fennel, roasted with salt), lychee seeds, and tangerine seeds (roasted with vinegar); 20 g of ích trí nhân (Nutmeg); 15 g of wild betel nut; and 18 g of thanh bì (roasted with sesame oil). All should be ground finely, sifted into powder, and taken in 6 g doses with alcohol on an empty stomach.
For treating vomiting: Use Sơn Chi Tử (roasted yellow), 10 g each of trần bì (Dried Mandarin Peel) and tinh tre (Bamboo Leaf); and 5 g of fresh ginger. Boil these ingredients and drink while hot as a single dose. Externally, mix equal amounts of Sơn Chi Tử and bạch tật lê (Semen Plantaginis), grind finely, mix with vinegar, and apply at night. In the morning, wash the face and reapply the next day for several days to treat facial scars.
Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl.)
Belonging to the mangrove family (Sonneratiaceae), it is commonly found in coastal wetlands. The unripe mangrove apple has a sour taste, used as an ingredient for vinegar. The ripe fruit is sweet and creamy, suitable for eating raw or cooked. Medicinally, the mangrove apple has the following effects:
For relieving fever: Clean the mangrove apple, chew it with salt, then swallow the juice.
For stopping bleeding, especially nosebleeds: Clean the mangrove apple, crush it, and apply it to wounds to stop the bleeding immediately. This effect is due to the pectin contained in the fruit juice.
For treating inflammation, swelling, and bruises: Crush the mangrove apple, extract the juice, and concentrate it into a soft paste. When the paste is still warm, spread it on paper and apply it to the painful area. Use once a day.
Rosa Laevigata (Rosa laevigata Michx)
Belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae), it is a specialty medicinal herb from Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn. The fruits are harvested when nearly ripe (from September to November) and placed in a cloth bag, shaken vigorously to remove the thorns, then cut in half, and the seeds and soft hairs inside are scraped out and dried. The medicinal material is very hard, shiny reddish-brown, and used in traditional medicine under the names thích lê tử and đường quán tử. This herb is a kidney tonic that treats nocturnal emissions, nervous exhaustion, and incontinence. The daily dosage is 6-12 g in the form of extract or powder. The extract of Rosa Laevigata mixed with honey in a ratio of 10% extract and 90% honey is very effective, especially for the elderly. A traditional remedy can be made with 500 g of Rosa Laevigata, 250 g of ba kích (Morinda officinalis), and 50 g of lotus stem. Slice Rosa Laevigata and ba kích thinly, roast until golden, grind finely, put in a cloth bag with the lotus stem, and boil with 3 liters of water for 8 hours. When about 1 liter remains, strain well, add 1 kg of sugar, and concentrate it to 1 liter. Cool and add a few drops of orange essential oil for fragrance. Take two doses daily, each one tablespoon.
Note: Rosa Laevigata seeds are toxic. Ensure no seeds are left during preparation.
Fig (Ficus roocburghii Wall)
Belonging to the mulberry family (Moraceae), it is often found under the forest canopy along stream banks. The fruit contains fragrant mucilage, is sweet, and has a neutral nature, which helps nourish, strengthen the stomach, reduce inflammation, detoxify, relieve cough, and promote lactation, used in the following cases:
For treating weakness, poor appetite, and emaciation: Use 500 g of slightly ripe figs, dry or roast them, chop them, and soak in one liter of white wine for 10-20 days. Take three small cups daily.
For treating sore throat: Use 100 g of young figs, 50 g of dog grass leaves, and 30 g of bamboo shoots. All fresh ingredients should be washed, crushed with 1 g of camphor, heated, and applied to the painful area, then bandaged. Use twice a day.
For treating colds and poisoning: Use 200 g of figs, 200 g of mulberries, 20 g of cat’s whiskers leaves, and 50 g of canh châu root. Chop all ingredients, dry them, soak with alcohol, roast until golden, and boil with 400 ml of water until only 100 ml remains. Consume in two doses throughout the day.
For increasing milk production: Use dried figs, roast them until crispy, and grind into powder. Take two doses daily, each 12 g with cooled boiled water on an empty stomach for 3-5 days.
Wild Tamarind (Phyllanthus emblica L.)
Belonging to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), also known as mountain gooseberry, wild plum, dư cam tử, mác kham (Tày), diều cam (Dao), and xì xa liên (K’Ho), it grows wild on bare hills and in sparse forests in mountainous areas.
The flesh of the wild tamarind is crunchy, initially sour and astringent, gradually becoming sweet; with a little water, it becomes even sweeter, providing quick relief for thirst during forest excursions. Fresh wild tamarind contains a very high amount of vitamin C (600-1,000 mg%). Just eating 1-2 fruits daily is sufficient to supply the necessary vitamin C, preventing gum bleeding. Salted wild tamarind, dried to make a candy, is used to soothe coughs, sore throats, and vomiting. Dried fruits (10-20 g) can be ground and boiled with 400 ml of water until 100 ml remains, helping to relieve colds, reduce inflammation, and generate body fluids. Externally, fresh wild tamarind is crushed and the juice applied to treat athlete’s foot.
Dr. Đỗ Huy Bích, Health & Life
