Microcos paniculata
StarMicrocos paniculata
Synonyms: Microcos glabra, Arsis rugosa, Grewia nervosa, Grewia microcos, Grewia muenterii, Microcos mala, Microcos nervosa, Fallopia nervosa, Grewia microcos var. rugosa
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Throughout Lingnan southern China and Hong Kong the leaves of Microcos paniculata, known as bu zha ye 布渣叶, are a long-standing Cantonese folk and regional pharmacopoeial medicine taken as a decoction or in cooling herbal teas to relieve food stagnation, indigestion, summer-heat oppression and jaundice (Chinese Pharmacopoeia Lingnan supplement; Bensky, Clavey & Stöger, 2004). Across Southeast Asia the leaves are similarly used in folk practice for indigestion, fever and as a postnatal tonic (Burkill, 1966 Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula; Wiart, 2006).
Botanical Description
Microcos paniculata (syn. Grewia microcos) is a small evergreen tree of the Malvaceae (formerly Tiliaceae) widespread across South and Southeast Asia from India and southern China through Indochina to Malesia. It reaches 4–10 m tall with a slender trunk and dark grey bark. The alternate, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate leaves are 8–15 cm long with three prominent palmate basal veins, finely toothed margins and a stellate-hairy underside. Loose terminal panicles bear many small, pale-yellow, five-petalled flowers in summer. The fruit is a small, dark, ovoid drupe ripening purple-black and edible. It grows in secondary forest, scrub and village margins on a wide range of soils. In southern China and Hong Kong the dried leaves are the standard regional herbal drug bu zha ye 布渣叶, formerly listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a Lingnan medicine.
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.
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