Gleditsia Thorn – 1 lb (454 g)

Gleditsia Thorn, known in Chinese as 皂角刺 (Zàojiǎocì) and scientifically as Spina Gleditsiae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Gleditsia Thorn carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Gleditsia Thorn helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Gleditsia Thorn provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Gleditsia Thorn has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Gleditsia Thorn, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Zaojiaoci, Zaojiaozhen, Zao Ci, and Tianding. It is the thorn of the Fabaceae plant Gleditsia sinensis Lam. It is mainly produced in Henan, Jiangsu, Hubei, Guangxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Gansu, Hebei, Jiangxi, Shandong, and Liaoning provinces. It can be harvested year-round, sliced while fresh, and sun-dried.

[Properties] Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Enters the liver and stomach meridians.

[Actions] Reduces swelling and detoxifies, expels pus, kills parasites.

[Applications]
1. Used for carbuncles and swelling toxins. When pus has not yet formed, it is often used together with Pangolin scales and Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle), in detoxifying formulas such as Xianfang Huoming Yin (仙方活命饮). When pus has formed but the body is deficient and the carbuncle does not rupture, it is combined with Pangolin scales, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, and other antiparasitic herbs, in formulas such as Tou Nong San (透脓散) to kill parasites and relieve itching.
2. Used for leprosy, tinea, and severe tongue coating. For leprosy, use Spina Gleditsiae alone, burn to ash and powder, then decoct with large doses of Huang (likely Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) for oral administration, as in Ersheng San (二圣散). For tinea, decoct Spina Gleditsiae in concentrated rice vinegar and apply the liquid externally. For pediatric severe tongue coating, burn the herb to ash, add small amounts of Natrii Sulfas (Puhsiao) and Borneol (Bingpian), and apply under the tongue.
3. Used for hemorrhoids and itching and pain around the anus, often combined with Cortex Acanthopanacis (Chupi), Fructus Aurantii (Zhike), and Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao), as in Spina Gleditsiae Pills (皂角刺丸).
4. Used for postpartum women with insufficient lactation or milk flow obstruction, often combined with Pangolin scales, Vaccaria seeds (Wangbuliuxing), and Caulis Tetrapanacis (Tongcao).

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoct 5–10 g; or used in pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, powdered and sprinkled; or apply decoction externally.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in pregnancy.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Spina Gleditsiae contains saponins, flavonoid glycosides, phenolic compounds, and amino acids.
2. Clinical reports:
1) Paralytic intestinal obstruction: used 50 g Spina Gleditsiae, 15 g Cannabis seeds (Huomaren), and 400 g honey. First decoct Spina Gleditsiae and Cannabis seeds in water to 200 ml, then mix with honey and take all at once. Treated 15 cases with all cured. [Sichuan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1989, 7(7):29]
2) Sciatic nerve pain: used 20–40 g Spina Gleditsiae, added 500 ml water, decocted to 300 ml, filtered, taken twice daily, one dose per day. After pain disappeared, consolidate treatment for 3–5 days then stop. If accompanied by other symptoms, adjust formula accordingly. Treated 117 cases: 73 clinically cured, 20 basically controlled, 18 improved, 6 ineffective; total effective rate 94.9%. [Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1994, 17(4):10]
3) Subacute pelvic inflammatory disease: used 30 g Spina Gleditsiae, 10 jujubes, decocted for half an hour, discard residue and take 300–400 ml liquid, then add 30 g glutinous rice and cook to porridge consistency, taken in two doses. Generally after 7 doses abdominal pain significantly improved, temperature decreased, after another 7 doses cured. [Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1984, (3):21]