Common Name: Wu Zhu Yu

General Information

Euodia ruticarpa is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a broad crown; it can grow up to 10 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. The fruit is an ingredient of commercial cosmetic preparations, whilst the plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

Although commonly used medicinally in China and other countries, the plant should be used with care because it is mildly toxic and, in excess, can cause diarrhoea, dyspepsia and delirium[]

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Nepal, Bhutan, northeastern India, Myanmar

Habitat

Well-drained forests, thickets, and open places; at elevations from 120 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Euodia ruticarpa is a moderately cold-hardy tree, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant[].
Species in this genus tend to be easy to grow, succeeding in mot well-drained soils if given a position in full sun or some light shade.
The plant grows rapidly and well when young, coming into flower early in its life[].
A dioecious species - it produces separate male flowers and female flowers, and only one of those types is produced on any individual plant. Therefore both male and female-flowered forms of the plant usually need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Wu Zhu Yu is a pungent, bitter herb that has a marked warming effect on the body and increases blood pressure. It helps to relieve pain, including headaches, destroys parasites, controls vomiting, stimulates the uterus[, ]. However, it should be used with care because it is mildly toxic and, in excess, can cause diarrhoea, dyspepsia and delirium[].

The fruit is the main part used. It is analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, appetizer, astringent, carminative, decongestant, deobstruent, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic and uterotonic[, , , , , ]. It is used in the treatment of a range of digestive system problems including stomach chills and pains, gastritis, nausea, acid regurgitation, diarrhoea and threadworm infestations. It is also used to treat headaches, oedema, beriberi, painful menstruation and post-partum pains[, ]. It is usually combined with licorice (Glycyrrhiza species) in order to reduce toxicity and with ginger (Zingiber officinale) when treating abdominal chills[].
The partially ripe fruit is gathered in late summer and can be dried for later use[].

Other Uses

An extract of the fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse. Variable germination rates[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood (preferably forced in a greenhouse), 5 - 8cm with a heel, early summer to August in a warm greenhouse. Fair to good percentage[].
Root cuttings in late winter[].