Ying Pi
Cerasus serrulata (Lindl.) G. Don ex London
โฏ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Descends Lung Qi and Stops Cough; Expels Pus; Resolves Phlegm
Botanical Description
Prunus serrulata (syn. Cerasus serrulata), the Japanese flowering cherry, is a small deciduous tree of the family Rosaceae, native to Japan, Korea, China and the Russian Far East, typically reaching 8-12 m in height with a spreading crown and smooth, lustrous chestnut-brown bark marked by prominent horizontal lenticels. The alternate, ovate to obovate leaves are 5-13 cm long with doubly serrate margins, glabrous, and emerge bronze-red before maturing to dark green. Five-petalled white or pale pink flowers, 2.5-4 cm across, appear in short umbellate clusters in early spring before or with the leaves, and are followed by small black drupes 8-10 mm in diameter. The smooth bark, harvested in spring, is the part used medicinally and has a slightly bitter, faintly aromatic taste.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ying Pi (cherry tree bark) is an astringent herb used in Chinese medicine primarily to settle cough and wheeze from Lung deficiency. It also has antiparasitic applications for roundworm infestations, and its astringent property addresses diarrhea and urinary incontinence from deficiency patterns. As a bark medicine with converging and consolidating action, it brings Lung Qi downward and helps prevent the abnormal upward and outward leakage of Lung function.
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.