Yu Li Ren (Semen Pruni)

This product is a more commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. In "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" is listed as low grade. Formerly known as "Yu Li Ren", there are currently two kinds of goods on the market, which are divided into Xiao Li Ren and Da Li Ren. It is customary to take Xiao Li Ren as the authentic product.

Aliases: Ou Li Ren, Xiao Li Ren (Little Li Ren), Li Ren, Da Li Ren (Big Li Ren).

Source: Prunus humilis Bge. or Prunus japonica Thuns Prunus japonica Thunb. var. nakaii (Levl.) Rehd. of ripe dried seeds. Plum kernel is the ripe and dried seeds of mountain cherry, truncated elm, stalk almond, stalk almond, sentient plum and Yunnan cherry, wild or cultivated.

Origin: Xiao Li Ren is produced in Haicheng, Gaiping, Fengcheng, Liaoyang, eastern Inner Mongolia, northern Hebei Province and other places in Liaoning. Da Li Ren is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang and other provinces, in addition to Shanxi, Shaanxi, Anhui, Hubei and other provinces.

Trait identification: Xiao Li Ren is slightly peach-shaped, about 5~7mm long, and the maximum transverse diameter is about 3~5mm. The epidermis is yellowish-white, yellowish-brown or dark brown. The apex is acute, the base is obtuse and rounded, the seed coat is very thin, there is a line-shaped seed umbilicus on one side of the tip, and the blunt end is the junction point, and most brown veins (vascular bundles) radiate from the junction, forming a longitudinal irregular texture. Peel off the outer skin, you can see two white cotyledons, with a light smell and a slightly bitter taste.

  The shape of the Da Li Ren is similar to that of the Xiao Li Ren, but the particles are slightly larger, about 6~10mm long, 5~7mm in transverse diameter, and the rest are the same as the Xiao Li Ren.

  It is better to have small grains, full, uniform and non-oily.

Main ingredients: Contains amygdalin, fatty oil.

Pharmacological effects: (1) a gentle lubricating laxative, the laxative effect is slightly stronger than that of hemp seeds; (2) diuretic.

Preparation: Raw. Mash when adding to formula.

Taste: bitter, sweet, flat.

Meridians: into the spleen, large intestine, small intestine meridians.

Function: moisturizing and laxative, diuretic and swelling.

Treats: dry stool, swelling and edema, unfavorable urination, athlete's foot and other symptoms.

Clinical Applications:

（1）   It is used to treat habitual constipation. It is often used with other intestinal emollient medicines (Huo Ma Ren, Xing Ren, Bo Zi Ren, etc.), such as in the Wu Ren Tang formula, which can be used for the elderly or postpartum intestinal dryness and constipation, qi deficiency and constipation, but should be very cautious when used to pregnant women.

（2）   It is used for the treatment of beriberi edema and poor bowel and bowel movements, with Yi Yi Ren, Chi Fu Ling, Hua Shi, etc.

Dosage: 3~12g.

Prescription example: Wu Ren Tang: Yu Li Ren 9g (beaten), Hup Ma Ren 12g (ground), Gua Lou Ren 9g (beaten), Tian Xing Ren 9g, Bo Zi Ren 9g, decoction in water.

Note: Sichuan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Gansu, Hubei and other provinces use the seeds of edible "plum" as Li Ren, which are flat oval and resemble almonds. The taste is different from that of Yu Li Ren, and so it should not be used for medicinal purposes.

Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.