Introduction of Man Jinɡ Zi:Shrub Chaste-tree Fruit
✵The article records the herb Fructus Viticis—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham. and (2) Vitex trifolia L., and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these species; as well as the macroscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Fructus Viticis (Shrub Chaste-tree Fruit)
Pinyin Name: Màn Jīnɡ Zǐ
English Name: Shrub Chaste-tree Fruit
Latin Name:Fructus Viticis Properties and Flavor: Slightly cold, pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Fructus Viticis is the dried, ripe fruit of Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham. (commonly known as simple-leaved chaste tree) or Vitex trifolia L. (three-leaved chaste tree). It is used to treat wind-heat syndromes with fever and headache, acute conjunctivitis, blurred vision, and dizziness. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Viticis, Shrub Chaste-tree Fruit, or Màn Jīnɡ Zǐ.
Botanical Source:Fructus Viticis (Shrub Chaste-tree Fruit) is the dried, ripe fruit of (1) Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham. or (2) Vitex trifolia L., both belonging to the genus Vitex, family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, mint family), order Lamiales. These two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Vitex simplicifolia Cham.
Botanical Description: This plant is also known as Vitex rotundifolia L. f. or Vitex ovata Thunb. Common names include Simplicifolia Vitex, Simple-leaved Vitex, Vitex rotundifolia L., and Dān Yè Màn Jīnɡ. It is a deciduous shrub growing up to approximately 2 meters tall. The entire plant is covered with grayish-white pubescence. The main stem creeps along the ground, with adventitious roots frequently arising from the nodes; young branches are tetrahedral (four-angled), while older branches become nearly cylindrical. Leaves are simple and opposite, with short petioles; leaf blades are obovate to elliptic, obtuse at the apex, cuneate at the base, and entire, measuring 2.5–5 cm in length and 1.5–3 cm in width; the upper surface is greenish, the lower surface is pinkish-white; lateral veins occur in 8 pairs.
Inflorescences are terminal panicles; the calyx is campanulate with a 5-toothed apex; the corolla is mauve (lilac), 5-lobed, with the lowermost lobe largest and broadly ovate, bearing hairs on the lower and middle portions of its inner surface; there are 4 stamens, exserted beyond the corolla tube; the ovary is globose, densely covered with glandular dots; the stigma is bifid.
Drupes are spherical, approximately 5–7 mm in diameter, with persistent calyces. Flowering occurs from July to August; fruiting, from August to October.
Growth Characteristics: The plant grows naturally on beaches and lakeshores and is also cultivated. It exhibits strong environmental adaptability with no strict habitat requirements. It prefers a warm, moist climate and thrives in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. It is tolerant of saline and alkaline soils but grows poorly in acidic soil.
Characteristics of the Herb: The fruit is spherical, 4–6 mm in diameter. The surface is black or brown, covered with a whitish, pruinosal bloom, and bears four longitudinal, narrow grooves. The apex is slightly concave, bearing a circular scar from the fallen style; at the base, persistent calyces and short carpopodia (fruit stalks) are present. The persistent calyx envelops one-third to two-thirds of the fruit’s length and terminates in a 5-dentate margin—two teeth on one side—and is densely covered with fine pubescence. The herb is lightweight and firm, not easily fractured. The fracture surface shows a grayish-yellow cortex with tan (chocolate-brown) vascular bundles arranged in concentric rings; the fruit is 4-locular, each locule containing one seed (sometimes undeveloped). The seed kernel is yellowish-white and oily. The herb has a fragrant aroma and tastes slightly pungent and mildly bitter.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Sedative and analgesic effects; (2) Antipyretic effects; (3) Inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus megaterium.
Medicinal Efficacy: Dispels wind and clears heat; clarifies the head and eyes. Indicated for wind-heat common cold with headache, gingival swelling and pain, red and teary eyes, photophobia, blurred vision, dizziness, and vertigo.
Administration of Fructus Viticis (Màn Jīnɡ Zǐ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Fructus Viticis (Màn Jīnɡ Zǐ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 5–9 grams, as a water decoction; (2) 2–3 qián (≈6–10 grams), as a water decoction; or infused in wine; or prepared as pills or powder. Externally: applied as a poultice (mashed fresh herb); (3) 6–10 grams, as a water decoction; or infused in wine; or prepared as pills or powder. Externally: appropriate amount, used as a wash prepared from a water decoction.
(2) Vitex trifolia L.
Botanical Description:Vitex trifolia L. is commonly known as vitex trifolia or manjing. It is a deciduous shrub, rarely a small tree, growing up to 1.5–5 meters tall and aromatic. Branchlets are quadrangular and densely pubescent. Leaves are trifoliolate and opposite; occasionally, a single leaf may appear on lateral branches. Petioles are 1–3 cm long. Leaflets are ovate, long obovate, or obovate-oblong, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; the apex is blunt or mucronate, the base is cuneate, and the margin is entire. The upper surface is green, glabrous or sparsely puberulent; the lower surface is densely covered with grayish-white tomentum. Lateral veins occur in 8 pairs and are slightly raised on both surfaces. Leaflets are sessile, or sometimes the midvein base extends to form a short stalk.
Inflorescences are terminal panicles, 3–15 cm long; the peduncle is densely covered with grayish-white tomentum. The calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), 5-lobed at the apex, and covered with grayish-white tomentum. The corolla is mauve (lilac) or bluish-violet (royal purple), 6–10 mm long; the outer surface is pilose, while the inner surface of the corolla tube and throat is densely villous; the apex is 5-lobed and bilabiate (two-lipped). There are four stamens, which protrude beyond the corolla. The ovary bears dense glandular points. The style is glabrous, and the stigma is two-lobed.
Drupes are orbicular, approximately 5 mm in diameter, and turn black at maturity. The calyx persists on the fruit, which is externally grayish-tomentose. Flowering occurs in July; fruiting occurs from September to November.
Growth Characteristics: This plant grows near the sea, on beaches, along riversides, on plains, and in fields near villages.
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References:
1.Introduction of Man Jinɡ Zi: Shrub Chaste-tree Fruit.
✵The article records the herb Fructus Viticis—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham. and (2) Vitex trifolia L., and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these species; as well as the macroscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Màn Jīnɡ Zǐ
Botanical Description: This plant is also known as Vitex rotundifolia L. f. or Vitex ovata Thunb. Common names include Simplicifolia Vitex, Simple-leaved Vitex, Vitex rotundifolia L., and Dān Yè Màn Jīnɡ. It is a deciduous shrub growing up to approximately 2 meters tall. The entire plant is covered with grayish-white pubescence. The main stem creeps along the ground, with adventitious roots frequently arising from the nodes; young branches are tetrahedral (four-angled), while older branches become nearly cylindrical. Leaves are simple and opposite, with short petioles; leaf blades are obovate to elliptic, obtuse at the apex, cuneate at the base, and entire, measuring 2.5–5 cm in length and 1.5–3 cm in width; the upper surface is greenish, the lower surface is pinkish-white; lateral veins occur in 8 pairs.
Botanical Description: Vitex trifolia L. is commonly known as vitex trifolia or manjing. It is a deciduous shrub, rarely a small tree, growing up to 1.5–5 meters tall and aromatic. Branchlets are quadrangular and densely pubescent. Leaves are trifoliolate and opposite; occasionally, a single leaf may appear on lateral branches. Petioles are 1–3 cm long. Leaflets are ovate, long obovate, or obovate-oblong, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; the apex is blunt or mucronate, the base is cuneate, and the margin is entire. The upper surface is green, glabrous or sparsely puberulent; the lower surface is densely covered with grayish-white tomentum. Lateral veins occur in 8 pairs and are slightly raised on both surfaces. Leaflets are sessile, or sometimes the midvein base extends to form a short stalk.
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