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Euodia ruticarpa - (A.Juss.)Benth.

Wu Zhu Yu

Author	(A.Juss.)Benth.	Botanical references	146
Family	Rutaceae	Genus	Euodia
Synonyms	Tetradium ruticarpum - (A.Juss.)T.G.Hartley.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Habitat	Inner valleys of Sikkim, 2000 - 3000 metres[146].
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Tree growing to 10m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic; Anodyne; Anthelmintic; Antiinflammatory; Antitumor; Antiviral; Appetizer; Astringent; Carminative; Contraceptive; Deobstruent; Diuretic; Miscellany; Stimulant; Stomachic.

Wu Zhu Yu has a marked warming effect on the body, helping to relieve headaches and a wide range of digestive problems[254]. The fruit is analgesic, anthelmintic, appetizer, astringent, carminative, decongestant, deobstruent, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic and uterotonic[174, 176, 178, 218, 240]. It is used in the treatment of gastritis, nausea, headaches, oedema, beriberi and post-partum pains[147]. The partially ripe fruit is gathered in late summer and can be dried for later use[254]. The root bark is astringent and vermifuge[218]. Extracts of the plant show antiviral, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activity[218]. This species was ranked 14th in a Chinese survey of 250 potential antifertility plants[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its habitat it should succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country. It is quite possible that Tetradium ruticarpum is the correct name for this species. Judging by the needs of other members of this genus it is probably easily grown in a good loamy soil.

Propagation

Seed - sow February in a greenhouse. Variable germination rates[78]. 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, June to August in a warm greenhouse. Fair to good percentage[78].

Links

Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database.

References

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[146] Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972
Written last century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press 0 ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[174] Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. 0
A good Japanese herbal.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

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