mu gua

木瓜·Fructus Chaenomelis

Chaenomeles Fruit

Dried mu gua slices

About mu gua

Mu Gua (木瓜) is the fruit of the Chinese quince, recorded as Fructus Chaenomelis. It is sour in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Liver and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that dispel Wind-Damp.

Names

Pinyinmu gua
Chinese木瓜
Latin NameFructus Chaenomelis
English NameChaenomeles Fruit·Chinese quince fruit·Chinese quince fruit; chaenomeles fruit
Japanesemokka
Koreanmokkwa

Classification

Channels
Spleen, Liver
Flavour
Sour
Temperature
Warm
Part used
Fruit
Family
Rosaceae
Species
Chaenomeles Speciosa
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels and collaterals

  • Damp Bi of the limbs, particularly with severe cramping pain and weak low back and legs
  • Muscle cramps and spasm, classically painful calf cramps (zhuan jin)
  • Pain and stiffness of the sinews and joints of the lower limbs

Harmonises the Stomach, nourishes the Liver and transforms Damp

  • Leg Qi (Jiao Qi): Damp obstruction leaving the legs swollen, heavy, weak and prone to cramp
  • Abdominal pain and spasm with calf cramps and edema
  • Leg problems arising from disharmony of the Liver and Spleen
  • Vomiting and diarrhea together when Damp-turbidity disrupts the Spleen and Stomach, as in sudden turmoil disorder (huo luan)

Reduces Food stagnation

  • Food stagnation

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 2-12g; Tincture: 1-4ml2-12 g1-4 ml

Cautions