wu mei

乌梅·Fructus Mume

Mume Fruit

About wu mei

Wu Mei (乌梅) is the smoked fruit of the Japanese apricot, recorded as Fructus Mume. It is sour and astringent in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Lung, Liver, Spleen and Large Intestine channels.

Names

Pinyinwu mei
Chinese乌梅
Latin NameFructus Mume
English NameMume Fruit·smoked plum
Japaneseubai
Koreanomae

Classification

Channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Spleen, Liver
Flavour
Sour, Astringent
Temperature
Warm
Part used
Fruit
Family
Rosaceae
Species
Prunus Mume
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Astringes Lung Qi, restrains sweating and stops cough

  • Chronic cough when deficient Lungs let Qi leak out
  • Difficulty swallowing and regurgitation

Generates Fluids and relieves thirst

  • Thirst from Deficiency Heat
  • Qi and Yin deficiency
  • Xiao Ke (wasting and thirsting disorder) from Deficiency Heat
  • Dryness and thirst when Fluids are depleted

Calms and expels roundworms and relieves pain

  • Abdominal pain and vomiting caused by roundworms
  • At times, abdominal pain and vomiting without parasites

Astringes the Intestines and stops diarrhea

  • Chronic, unremitting diarrhea or dysentery, faecal incontinence and blood in the stool; the charred herb may be used on its own
  • Rectal prolapse

Stops bleeding

  • Blood in the stool or heavy uterine bleeding, with signs of Blood deficiency: a parched mouth, thirst and dryness
  • Bleeding from the vagina, anus or urethra, treated with the charred, powdered herb alone

Treats corns and warts topically

  • Corns and warts

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-30g; Tincture: 2-4ml3-30 g2-4 ml

Cautions