Japanese apricot (wu mei)

Prunus mume

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent in chronic cough and diarrhoea, replenishes body fluids and was used against worms.

Safety notes

Not with fullness with internal heat or an acute external disease. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Cautions by tradition (1)

Chinese materia medica: Have worms treated by a doctor.

Preparation

Dried, smoked fruit. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that stabilise and bind'. The smoked, black fruit (wu mei) binds in chronic cough and diarrhoea and expels roundworms in Wu Mei Wan. In Japan the fruits are pickled as umeboshi, a classic home remedy for nausea and fatigue.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: sour, warm
Meridians: liver, lung, spleen, large intestine

Attributed effects

For chronic cough from lung deficiency, chronic diarrhoea and blood in the stool, excessive uterine bleeding from blood deficiency, thirst from yin deficiency, roundworms and vomiting; externally on corns and warts.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Pickled in salt this is the Japanese umeboshi, which supports digestion.

Combinations

With ban xia, tangerine peel, fresh ginger and apricot kernel for chronic cough
With huang lian and xi xin in wu mei wan for worms

Caution: Have worms treated by a doctor.

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Er chen tang Wu mei wan

Sources

All herbs from Asia →