Witnessed by: TCM
Evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa), of the Rutaceae family. Small deciduous tree of warm hill forest; native range: central and southern China. Globally recognized as wu zhu yu (吴茱萸) in Chinese. The part used is unripe fruit. Tight brownish-green globes, intensely pungent and bitter, with a hot penetrating aroma that lingers on the tongue.
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.
EVODIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- evodia
- Scientific name
- Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth.
- Family
- Rutaceae
Form
- Part used
- unripe fruit
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- hot (slightly toxic)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Spleen · Stomach · Kidney
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- disperses cold, warms the Liver and Spleen, directs rebellious qi downward, stops pain, checks acid reflux and cold diarrhea
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in heat patterns and yin deficiency with heat; use cautiously in pregnancy
- Toxicity
- slightly toxic; overdose may cause visual disturbance, dry mouth, and abdominal upset
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