Qing Guo
Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch.
โฏ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Benefits the Throat; Generates Fluids; Resolves Seafood Poisoning
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Canarium album (Lour.) DC. (Burseraceae), the Chinese white olive, is a tall evergreen tree 10-25 m high with a straight trunk, smooth grey bark, and exuding fragrant resin when wounded. The alternate, pinnately compound leaves bear seven to eleven leathery, oblong-lanceolate leaflets with entire margins and an acuminate tip. Loose, terminal panicles of small, whitish flowers develop into ellipsoid, green to yellow-green drupes 2.5-3.5 cm long, each with a hard, three-ridged stone enclosing one or two seeds. Native to southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, and parts of Indochina and Malesia, the fresh or salt-preserved fruit (Qing Guo) is eaten as a snack and used in TCM to clear heat, generate fluids, resolve toxicity, and benefit the throat in sore-throat conditions.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Qing Guo (Chinese olive fruit, canarium fruit) is a cool, sweet-sour herb used to clear Lung and Stomach Heat, resolve toxin, and generate fluids. It is used for sore throat, cough with dry mouth, and inflammatory conditions of the upper respiratory tract from Heat or toxin. Its fluid-generating property also addresses thirst from febrile illness and the aftermath of alcohol consumption. As a pleasant-tasting food-herb, it is commonly eaten fresh or pickled in Chinese communities.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.