Nux Canarii Albi
Aliases：Qingguo Pit (Chinese Olive Pit).
Chinese Olive Pit is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the fruit pit of Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch., a plant in the family Burseraceae. It grows in low-elevation mixed forests and is also cultivated. It was first recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) and is also documented in Essential Materia Medica (Bencao Beiyao), Original Sources of Materia Medica (Benjing Fengyuan), the China Medical Information Query Platform, and other herbal reference works.
Efficacy & Actions
Removes toxin; astringes sores and promotes healing; stops bleeding; regulates Qi.
Indications
Sore throat with swelling and pain; mouth and tongue sores; chilblains; gan sores; pemphigus; hematochezia due to intestinal wind; testicular swelling and pain.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological research on Chinese Olive Pit remains insufficient. The following findings are mainly derived from analyses of the fatty acid constituents of its kernel oil and related activity studies, and are provided for reference: Nutritional and health value of the fatty acid constituents: Soxhlet extraction was used to extract oil from Chinese Olive kernels. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis identified 13 fatty acids in the kernel oil. The total unsaturated fatty acid content reached 73.4%, of which linoleic acid accounted for 41.76% and oleic acid for 30.48%. The oil also contains odd-carbon fatty acids—pentadecanoic acid and heptadecanoic acid—which are rarely found in other plants. Related studies indicate that these odd-carbon fatty acids possess certain anticancer activity. Chinese Olive kernel oil has high nutritional and health value and warrants further development and utilization. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential: Chinese Olive Pit is rich in polyphenolic compounds. Related studies indicate that polyphenol extracts from Chinese Olive Pit exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro cell models and possess antioxidant properties. Note: The above research is mainly derived from analyses of the fatty acid constituents of Chinese Olive kernel oil and preliminary activity studies. Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on Chinese Olive Pit remains to be further conducted. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
Chinese Olive Pit mainly contains the following constituents: Fatty acids (principal constituents of the kernel oil): Linoleic acid, content 41.76%. Oleic acid, content 30.48%. Pentadecanoic acid. Heptadecanoic acid. A total of 13 fatty acids, with total unsaturated fatty acid content of 73.4%. Others: The pit accounts for one quarter of the entire fruit and is rich in cellulose (polysaccharides). Note: Systematic chemical studies on Chinese Olive Pit remain insufficient. The above constituents are mainly derived from analyses of the fatty acid composition of Chinese Olive kernel oil.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Calcined while retaining its properties, ground into powder, 3–6 g; or ground and taken as juice. External use: Appropriate amount. Calcined while retaining its properties, ground into powder and sprinkled on the affected area or mixed into a paste for topical application; or ground and applied as juice.
Contraindications
Excessive consumption causes vomiting and diarrhea (Ben Jing Feng Yuan). Pregnant women should use it with caution. Do not take it in excessive doses.
Selected Formulas
For oral ulcers, throat tinea, and throat abscess (Wangshi Yicun) Take olive pits (calcined until charred while retaining properties), eggshell of a hatched chick (calcined), cubed catechu, and Renzhongbai (calcined) 3g each, plus borneol 0.9g. Grind into fine powder. Use a small amount and blow into the affected area. For chilblains of the ears and feet (Bencao Gangmu, citing Qiankun ShengYi) Burn olive pits, grind into powder, mix with oil, and apply. For fishbone lodged in the throat (Dantai Yu’an) Grind olive pits into powder, mix with downstream water, and take 6g. For fishbone lodged in the throat (Food Chinese Medicine and Prescriptions) Grind Chinese olive pit with water to obtain juice; hold in the mouth and swallow. For inverted smallpox eruptions (Puji Fang) Cut the olive pit in the middle, rub with water, and take a little; the eruption will immediately appear. For pufferfish poisoning (Bencao Congxin) Grind olive pit to obtain juice or powder, mix with rapidly flowing water, and take. For bruising, swelling, and pain from blows (Shoushi Baoyuan) Rub Chinese olive pit with water and frequently apply to the affected area; the swelling will subside. For scrotal/testicular swelling or tumor (Bencao Gangmu) Take equal parts of olive pits, litchi seeds, and hawthorn seeds. Burn until charred while retaining properties, grind into powder. Take 6g each time with fennel decoction on an empty stomach. For chronic intestinal wind with hematochezia (Yangshi Jiacang Fang, Ganlan San) Take olive pits, any amount, burn to ash over a lamp, and grind into fine powder. Take 6g each time with aged rice water, on an empty stomach before meals.
Medicinal Parts
Fruit pit.
Selection & Storage
Dried material should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Crush before use.
