Witnessed by: TCM
Chinese plum (Prunus salicina), of the Rosaceae family. Small deciduous rose-family tree, white-flowered before leaf, bearing a smooth yellow or red plum; native range: Native to China, long cultivated there and in Japan, Korea and beyond. Globally recognized as li (李, the tree), li gen pi (李根皮), gan li gen bai pi (甘李根白皮 — the sweet white root-bark) in Chinese, rikonpi (李根皮) in Japanese, and Chinese plum, Japanese plum in English. The part used is root bark — the white inner bark of the root. The white inner layer of the root-bark, bitter and cool on the tongue with a faint sweetness — whence the name 'sweet' white root-bark.
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.
CHINESE PLUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Chinese plum
- Scientific name
- Prunus salicina Lindl.
- Family
- Rosaceae
Form
- Part used
- root bark — the white inner bark of the root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Heart · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat, and descends rebellious qi to settle the running-piglet ascent
Cautions
- Contraindications
- cold in the middle burner with loose stool — the bark is cold
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.