Production RegionsPrimarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian, Taiwan.
Macroscopic FeaturesFresh qing guo is fusiform, blunt round end, or gradually pointed, 3~4cm long, about 1.5~2cm thick. Externally green or yellowish-green. Old qing guo is dark yellow, smooth, slightly lustrous. Apex has tiny black raised protrusion. Base has fruit stem scar. Flesh is relatively thick, inner surface is yellowish-white with lots of juice. Core is fusiform, brown, with 6 ridges; hard texture, not easily broken. Horizontal cut surface of kernel has 3 holes, each has one thin and long fusiform seed; seed coat is reddish-brown, kernel is white, oily, with aroma. No unpleasant odor, astringent and slightly sour taste, then sweet. Dried qing guo: same external shape as fresh qing guo, externally brown or purplish-brown, wrinkled, with numerous indented uneven wrinkles. Flesh is relatively thin, brown or gray, firm and pliable texture, can be split from core, the dried core has the same features as the fresh core. Sweet taste, relatively less sour and astringent.
Quality RequirementsSuperior medicinal material fresh qing guo is large, thick flesh, green color. Dried qing guo is large, with thick flesh, grayish-green, without black spots.
FunctionsClears heat, promotes throat, engenders fluid, resolves toxin. Apply to throat swelling pain, cough, polydipsia, fish and crab toxin.