Honey Locust

original: "皂莢" (Zaojia). Also known as the Soap Pod tree, its fruit contains natural saponins and was traditionally used in China as both a laundry detergent and a powerful medicinal agent.

The Honey Locust originates in the river valleys of Yongzhou an ancient province covering parts of modern Shaanxi and Gansu and Lu Zou County in modern-day Shandong. Today, it can be found in many locations, though those produced in Huaimengzhou a region in modern Henan province renowned for high-quality medicinal crops are considered the finest.

The tree can grow to an immense height and size. There are three distinct varieties of this plant. The Classic referring to the Shennong Bencao Jing, or "The Divine Farmer's Herbology Classic" states that those shaped like "pig tusks" are of superior quality. The commentary by Tao Tao Hongjing, a 5th-century scholar and alchemist notes that pods measuring one foot and two inches in length are the best. However, the Tang Dynasty commentaries suggest that pods six inches long—round, thick, with short segments and a straight shape—are superior. These should have thin skin, abundant pulp, and a concentrated flavor.

Its flavor is pungent and salty; its nature is warm and "slightly toxic" In this context, "toxic" refers to a potent pharmacological action that requires careful administration rather than being a deadly poison.

It is primarily used to treat Wind-Paralysisoriginal: "風痺" (Fengbi). A traditional diagnosis involving numbness, pain, or loss of mobility caused by "wind" and "dampness" in the body's channels., deadened skin, and "evil qi" pathogenic factors. It addresses headaches caused by wind that result in involuntary tearing. It is effective in clearing the Nine OrificesThe nine openings of the body: eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, urethra, and anus; clearing them refers to restoring the body's natural passages and sensory functions. and destroying "refined spirits" likely referring to parasites or harmful internal influences. It is further used to treat abdominal distension and fullness, aid the digestion of food, and relieve coughing or the formation of encapsulated swellingsoriginal: "囊結" (Nangjie). Refers to hard lumps, cysts, or localized fluid accumulations.. Additionally, it is used for cases where a placenta is not expelledoriginal: "婦人胞不落" (Furen bao bu luo). A serious postpartum complication where the afterbirth remains in the womb. in women and for the purpose of brightening the eyesight.