Botanical Name : Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb.
et Zucc.
Common Name : Black plum, Mume
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The unripe fruit is gathered
in the period at the Beginning of Summer (seventh
solar term). It is baked at a low temperature
until the skins turn black. The plum stone
is removed.
Properties & Taste: Sour and neutral
Meridians : Spleen, lung and large intestine
Functions:
1. To astringe the lungs and stop cough;
2. To restrain the intestines and stop diarrhea;
3. To promote the production of body fluids;
4. To expel roundworms
Indications & Combinations:
1. Chronic cough due to deficiency of the
lungs. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Poppy
capsule (Yingsuqiao), Donkey hide gelatin
(Ejiao) and Apricot seed (Xingren).
2. Chronic diarrhea or dysentery. Black
plum (Wumei) is used with Nutmeg (Roudoukou),
Chebula fruit (Hezi) and Poppy capsule (Yingsuqiao).
3. Acute dysentery. Black plum (Wumei) is
used with Coptis root (Huanglian).
4. Diabetes. Black plum (Wumei) is used
with Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen), Ophiopogon
root (Maidong), Ginseng (Renshen) and Pueraria
root (Gegen).
5. Roundworms in the biliary tract manifested
as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Black
plum (Wumei) is used with Asarum herb (Xixin)
and Coptis root (Huanglian) in the formula
Wumei Wan.
Dosage: 3-30 g
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb
is contraindicated in cases with exterior
syndrome or accumulation of excessive heat
in the interior.
