Wu Yao

Lindera aggregata (Wu Yao, evergreen lindera) is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Lauraceae family, growing 2 to 5 meters tall, with smooth dark gray bark and aromatic foliage characteristic of the laurel family. The alternate, leathery, broadly elliptic to ovate leaves are 3 to 8 centimeters long with three prominent veins arising from near the base, dark green and glossy above, paler and finely pubescent beneath, and emit a pleasant warming aroma when crushed. Small dioecious yellow-green flowers are borne in dense axillary umbel-like clusters in early spring, with six tepals and (in male flowers) nine stamens. The fruits are small, ovoid black drupes about 6 to 8 millimeters long borne on red pedicels. The medicinal root is fusiform, often spindle-shaped with constrictions giving the so-called Wu Yao Zhu Ling (string-of-beads) appearance, externally grayish-brown, internally pale brown with concentric ring patterns, with a warm, fragrant, slightly bitter aroma. Native to central, southern, and eastern China, Taiwan, and adjacent parts of Southeast Asia.