Fan Mu Bie
Strychnos nux-vomica L.
☯ TCM Properties
Unblocks the Channels and Alleviates Pain; Disperses Swelling and Dissipates Nodules; Strengthens the Sinews and Bones; Resolves Toxicity
Botanical Description
Strychnos nux-vomica is a medium-sized deciduous tree of the Loganiaceae family, reaching 10 to 25 m in height, with a short crooked trunk and a dense rounded crown. The bark is smooth, grey to yellowish. Leaves are opposite, ovate to broadly elliptic, 6 to 12 cm long, glossy, with three to five prominent palmate basal veins. Small greenish-white tubular flowers are borne in terminal cymes during the cool season and have an unpleasant odor. The fruit is a globose berry, 4 to 6 cm in diameter, ripening from green to bright orange, with a hard rind enclosing a bitter pulp and three to five disc-shaped seeds. The seeds are flat, grey-green, densely covered in silky hairs, intensely bitter, and contain the highly toxic indole alkaloids strychnine and brucine.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Fan Mu Bie (momordica seed) is a warm herb used in Chinese medicine primarily as an external remedy for skin conditions — particularly inflammatory and heat-toxin conditions including carbuncles, abscesses, ulcers, and certain types of chronic non-healing sores. When processed and used internally in small doses, it has Blood-moving and toxin-resolving applications. Due to its toxicity, it is predominantly used topically and only administered internally under strict professional guidance.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.