Witnessed by: TCM
Sterculia (Sterculia lychnophora), of the Malvaceae family. Large tropical tree bearing boat-shaped follicles; native range: Southeast Asia — Vietnam, Thailand, and southern China. Globally recognized as pang da hai (胖大海) in Chinese, and boat sterculia seed, malva nut in English. The part used is ripe seed. Wrinkled dark-brown seed that swells enormously into a gelatinous jelly when steeped in hot water.
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.
STERCULIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- sterculia
- Scientific name
- Sterculia lychnophora Hance
- Family
- Malvaceae
Form
- Part used
- ripe seed
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Large Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears Lung heat, benefits the throat and voice, and moistens the intestines to move the stool
Cautions
- Contraindications
- not for chronic loss of voice from deficiency; discontinue if it causes loose stools
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