Witnessed by: TCM · Western
Gamboge (Garcinia hanburyi), of the Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) family. Evergreen resiniferous tree; native range: the forests of Cambodia, Thailand and southern Vietnam. Globally recognized as teng huang (藤黄) in Chinese, and gamboge, gum gamboge, Siam gamboge in English. The part used is gum-resin from the bark. Brittle orange-yellow tears and cylinders that break with a conchoidal glassy fracture; almost tasteless at first, then acrid, giving a bright yellow emulsion with water. Poisonous.
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.
GAMBOGE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Gamboge
- Scientific name
- Garcinia hanburyi Hook.f.
- Family
- Clusiaceae (Guttiferae)
Form
- Part used
- gum-resin from the bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sour · astringent (acrid and toxic)
- Western
- acrid
Temperature
- TCM
- cool
- Western
- hot
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Large Intestine · Stomach · Spleen
- Western
- bowels · intestines · liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- resolves toxicity and reduces swelling, expels stagnation and kills parasites, stops bleeding when applied externally (used mainly topically for its toxicity)
- Western
- drastic hydragogue cathartic and anthelmintic; a violent purge little used internally
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy, weakness and depletion, inflammatory bowel states; internal use largely avoided
- Toxicity
- highly toxic; violent watery purging, griping, vomiting and collapse in overdose, and it can be fatal
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