Introduction of Tao Ren:Peach Seed or Semen Persicae.

TCM Herbalism:Medicinals and Classifications. ✵The article gives records of the herb Peach Seed, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Prunus persica (L.) Batsch., ②.Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Peach Seed, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.

Semen Persicae(Peach Seed).

light brownish dried herb seeds of Semen Persicae Pin Yin Name: Táo Rén.
 English Name: Peach Seed, or Peach Kernel.
 Latin Name: Semen Persicae.
 Property and flavor: neutral in nature, bitter, sweet, mild toxic.

 Brief introduction: The herb Semen Persicae is the dried ripe seed of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch., or Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch., used (1).to promote blood flow and remove stasis for the treatment of amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, abdominal masses, and traumatic injuries, and (2).as an aperient for constipation in the aged and debilitated. The herb is commonly known as Semen Persicae, Peach Seed, Táo Rén.

 Botanical source: Common herbal classics and other famous herbal classics defined the herb Semen Persicae (Peach Seed, Tao Ren) as the seed of the Rosaceae family plant species (1). Prunus persica (L.) Batsch., or (2). Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch. They are plants of the Amygdalus L. genus, the Rosaceae family (rose family) of the Rosales order. These 2 commonly used species are introduced:

(1).Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.


 fruiting branches of Prunus persicaL. Batsch with many reddish peach fruits Botanical description: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch is a plant of the Rosaceae family (rose family) and Prunus genus, it is also known as Amygdalus persica L., Peach, or Táo, or Máo Táo (means piliferous peach). A deciduous small tree, it grows up to 3~8 meters high, branchlets (twigs) are green, or russet (reddish-brown) on half side, glabrous. Leaves are alternate, and tufty on short branches; petioles are 1~2 cm long, and usually have 1 to several glands; leaf blades are elliptic-lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate, the margin is serrulate, and both surfaces are glabrous.

 branches of Prunus persicaL. Batsch. with several big reddish peach fruits in sunny days The leaf blade is oblong-lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate, or obovate-lanceolate, 7~15 cm long, 2~3.5 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the base is broadly cuneate, glabrous at the upper part, with few short below in veins piliferous or glabrous, the margin is serrate or coarsely serrate, tooth glands are glandular or absent; petiole is stout, 1~2 cm long, often with 1 to several glands, sometimes glandular.

 Flowers are usually solitary, bloom before leaves, 2.5~3.5 cm in diameter, short stipitate; 5 sepals (calyx lobes), base connate and form short hypanthium (calyx tube), covered with fluff; 5 flower petals, obovate, pink, rarely white; many stamens, ovary has 1 loculus. Style is thin and long, stigma is tiny, sphaerocepharous.

 a fruiting tree of Prunus persicaL. Batsch. with many fruits and green leaves growing in garden field Drupes (drupe fruits) are mainly subsphaeroidal (near-spherical), shape and size of the fruits vary, oval, broadly elliptical, or oblate, 5~7 cm in diameter, the length is equal to the width, the surface has short fluff, the pulp is light greenish-white, yellow, orange or red, sweet, sweet and sour, kernel is big, freestone or clingstone. 1 seed, flattened ovate-cordate. Its flowering period is from March to April, and the fruit ripening period varies, usually from June to July or September.

 fruting branched of Prunus persicaL. Batsch. with two green unmature peach fruits Ecological Environment: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch grows on the slopes, valley bottoms, or wild woodland and shrubs in areas at altitudes of 800~1,200 meters. This species was native to China, native to the northwest regions between the Tarim Basin and the northern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, where it was first domesticated and cultivated widely in various regions. It is now planted all over the world. After the 2nd century B.C., peach trees were cultivated by the Chinese people and spread along the Silk Road from Gansu and Xinjiang to the west through Central Asia to Persia. From there, they were introduced to countries along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and they gradually passed into France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. However, until the 9th century A.D., the number of peach trees planted in Europe gradually increased. After the 15th century, the peach tree was introduced into England.

 Growth characteristics: The tree Prunus persica prefers sunshine and a warm climate, it grows best in fertile, high, and dry sandy loam. It is afraid of waterlogging, it does not grow well in low-lying alkaline soil. Young trees are weak in cold resistance and branches are easy to hurt from freezing. It is tolerant to pruning and the life span is not very long.

 many light brownish Peach Seeds Peach Kernels are piled together Characters of herbs: The seeds are oblate elliptic, the apex is pointed, the middle part is slightly enlarged, the base is blunt and deflective, and the edge is thin. 1.2~1.8 cm long, 0.8~1.2 cm wide, and 2~4 mm thick. The surface is reddish brown or yellowish-brown, with fine and tiny granular protrusions. There is a ridge-shaped hilum on one side of the apex, and chalaza on the base, and many brown vascular bundle veins are scattered from the base, forming longitudinal dimpled grains spread on the seed coat, the seed coat is thin. Cotyledons are hypertrophic and oily. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly bitter. The herb of a better grade is full, the kernel is white and intact.

 Pharmacological actions: ①.promote the uterine contraction of a primipara; ②.help postpartum uterine recovery and hemostasis; ③.strong anti-exudation effect on initial inflammation; ④.increase cerebral blood flow, reduce cerebrovascular resistance; ⑤.inhibit the respiration in the tissue and reduce its oxygen consumption.

 Medicinal efficacy: Promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, break and remove blood stasis, moisten dryness and smooth intestines, moisten intestines and relax the bowels. It is indicated for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, abdominal mass, abdominal mass and a lump in the abdomen, fever and blood stagnation syndrome, wandering arthritis, malaria, hemostasis and swelling pain, blood dryness and constipation, intestinal dryness and constipation, injuries from falls.

 Administration of Semen Persicae (Táo Rén): 
 
Reference: Administration Guide of Semen Persicae (Táo Rén)
TCM Books: ①.Internally:4.5~9 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 1.5~3 qian (about 4.5~9 grams), or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:mashed and apply stick; ③.Internally:water decoction, 1.5~3 qian (about 4.5~9 grams), or prepared to pill, powder. Externally:mashed and apply stick.
 Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions:the herb Semen Persicae should be used cautiously during pregnancy, or should forbidden using during pregnancy.

(2).Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch.


 fruiting branch of Prunus davidiana Carr.Franch. with two hairy unmature fruits and leaves Botanical description: Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch is a plant of the Rosaceae family (rose family) and Prunus genus, it is commonly known as Shān Táo (means mountain peach), Amygdalus davidiana (Carr.) C.de Vos ex Henry., Persica davidiana Carr., Prunus persica var. davidiana., Chinese wild peach, Shān Máo Táo (means mountain piliferous peach). A deciduous small tree, the tree grows up to 5~9 meters high. Leaves are alternate, stipules (peraphyllum) are caducous; petioles are 1.5~3.0 cm long; leaf blades are ovate-lanceolate, 4~8 cm long, 2~3.5 cm wide.

 fruiting branch of Prunus davidiana Carr.Franch. with three green unmature fruits and many green leaves grow in sunny days Flowers are solitary, 5 sepals (calyx lobes), 5 flower petals, broadly obovate, pink to white.

 Drupes (drupe fruits) are mainly subsphaeroidal (near-spherical), yellowish green, the surface is covered with tawny (yellow brown) fluff. Pulp is freestone; stone (fruit core) is small, firm and hard. 1 seed, red-brown. Its flowering period is from March to April, the fruit ripening period is from June to July.

 a yellow mature peach fruit of Prunus davidiana Carr.Franch. grows on twig Ecological Environment: Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch is a common tree species in temperate and frigid zones. This species is mainly distributed in the northwest area of China, it is also cultivated in the northern area, middle reaches of the Yellow River, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and high-altitude regions in the southwest areas. The vertical distribution is usually at altitudes of 500~1,450 meters above sea level, and up to 2,100 meters in northwest areas. It is commonly found in sunny hillside shrubs. In recent years, it has been widely used in the conversion of farmland to forests, afforestation of barren hills, and landscaping.

 flowering trees of Prunus davidiana Carr.Franch. with many white flowers grow in field Growth characteristics: Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch prefers light, can also grow in the half shade place, resistant to cold and drought. The soil requirements are not strict, it can be planted in barren hills and desolate mountains. The tree is resistant to cold, salt and alkali, drought. It is appropriate to choose a neutral to slightly alkaline field with sufficient sunshine and good drainage, sandy loam. The tree grows wild in various mountainous regions and semi-mountainous areas, adapting to the natural environment and generally capable of growing. Not strict in soil requirements.

 Characters of herbs: The seed is ovoid, the base is deflective, small, and hypertrophic. 0.9~1.5 cm long, about 7 mm wide, and about 5 mm thick. The spermoderm (seed coat) is reddish-brown or yellowish-brown, and the granulas on the surface are thick and dense. The herb of a better grade is full, the kernel is white and intact.
 

 
  

 

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References:
  • 1.Introduction of Tao Ren:Peach Seed or Semen Persicae.

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