Black plum (Wumei)-Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb. et Zucc.

Black plum (Wumei)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Mume.

Botanical Name: Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb. et Zucc.

Common Name: Black plum, Mume

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The unripe fruit is gathered in the period at the Beginning of Summer (seventh solar term). It is baked at a low temperature until the skins turn black. The plum stone is removed.

Properties & Taste: Sour and neutral

Meridians: Spleen, lung and large intestine

Functions: 1. To astringe the lungs and stop cough; 2. To restrain the intestines and stop diarrhea; 3. To promote the production of body fluids; 4. To expel roundworms

Indications & Combinations:

1. Chronic cough due to deficiency of the lungs. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Poppy capsule (Yingsuqiao), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) and Apricot seed (Xingren).

2. Chronic diarrhea or dysentery. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Nutmeg (Roudoukou), Chebula fruit (Hezi) and Poppy capsule (Yingsuqiao).

3. Acute dysentery. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Coptis root (Huanglian).

4. Diabetes. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), Ginseng (Renshen) and Pueraria root (Gegen).

5. Roundworms in the biliary tract manifested as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Asarum herb (Xixin) and Coptis root (Huanglian) in the formula Wumei Wan.

Dosage: 3-30 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with exterior syndrome or accumulation of excessive heat in the interior.