Dragon Pearl Fruit

Also known as Dragon Swallowed Pearl, Dragon Beard Fruit, Wind and Rain Flower, Fairy Fruit, Pumpkin Seeds, Mountain Wood, Large Seed Gourd, Dragon Pearl Grass, Pu Gourd, False Bitter Melon, Fragrant flower fruit, angel fruit, wild fairy peach, fleshy fruit

Origin: Antilles; now a pantropical weed.

Distribution status in China]: Yunnan (southern), Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Fujian (southern).

Introduction of causes and dangers of proliferation: reported in Hong Kong in 1861. They often grow on other plants, forming large-area monotopic communities, harming sugarcane and other crops, destroying local flora and fauna, and causing a reduction in biodiversity richness.

Nature and flavor are sweet; sour; neutral in nature

Functions: Clearing heat and detoxifying; clearing the lungs and relieving cough. Mainly used for cough due to lung heat; turbid urine; carbuncle swelling and poison; traumatic keratitis; lymphadenitis

Usage and dosage Oral administration: decoction, 9-15g. External use: Appropriate amount, pound fresh leaves for application

Discussions by various experts

1. "Nanning Drug Chronicles": The whole plant: clears away heat, detoxifies, and promotes diuresis. Cure cough due to lung heat, edema and white turbidity. Apply to sore feet and carbuncles.

2. "Guangxi Medicinal Plant List": Fruit: moisturizes the lungs and relieves pain. Treats scabies, nameless swelling and poison.

Excerpt from "Chinese Materia Medica"