Bi Chen Qie (荃澄茄) is the fruit of litsea, recorded as Fructus Litseae and known in English as cubeb.
Names
Pinyin
bi chen qie·bì chéng qié
Chinese
荜澄茄
Latin Name
Fructus Litseae
English Name
cubeb fruit
Actions and indications
Warms the Middle Jiao and relieves pain
Cold in the Spleen and Stomach with distension and pain of the epigastrium and abdomen
Descends rebellious Stomach Qi and stops vomiting
Vomiting and hiccups of a Cold type
Strengthens digestion and appetite
Poor appetite from Cold in the Middle Jiao
Warms the Kidneys and dispels Cold from the Bladder
Kidney Yang deficiency with Cold in the Bladder: cold, painful dribbling urination, frequent and either clear or cloudy
Cautions
contraindication Yin deficiency with Heat; acrid, warm and aromatic, it can add Heat and injure Yin
contraindication Heat in the Blood level
contraindication Fever with cough
caution The distilled essential oil sold for aromatherapy is far more concentrated than the dried fruit; it irritates the skin and eyes, may sensitise skin or airways, and cannot be dosed as if it were the herb