Witnessed by: TCM
Brucea (Brucea javanica), of the Simaroubaceae family. Shrub or small tree of thickets and clearings; native range: southern China and Southeast Asia. Globally recognized as ya dan zi (鴉膽子) in Chinese, and Java brucea, crow's gall seed in English. The part used is fruit. Small ovoid seed with an oily kernel, overwhelmingly bitter.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BRUCEA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- brucea
- Scientific name
- Brucea javanica (L.) Merr.
- Family
- Simaroubaceae
Form
- Part used
- fruit
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Large Intestine · Liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat, resolves toxicity, cools damp-heat dysentery, checks malarial disorders, corrodes warts and corns applied locally
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy, weak Spleen-Stomach, and children except with great care
- Toxicity
- irritant and toxic to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidney, so the raw seed is never chewed; overdose brings vomiting, abdominal pain, and organ damage
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