Herb Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Shi Jun Zi

Rangoon creeper fruit · 使君子

Quisqualis indica L. · Fructus Quisqualis

Also known as: Combretum indicum, Liú Qiú Zǐ (留求子), Shǐ Jūn Zǐ (史君子),

Shi Jun Zi (Rangoon creeper fruit) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Shǐ Jūn Zǐ is the primary antiparasitic herb in Chinese medicine for treating intestinal worm infections, especially roundworms and pinworms. Its naturally sweet taste makes it particularly suitable for children, who can eat the roasted seeds directly. Beyond killing worms, it supports digestive health in children with malnutrition, bloating, and poor appetite caused by chronic parasitic infection.

Category Parasite-expelling herbs (驱虫药)
Therapeutic focus Digestive Health Children's Health Parasite Management Appetite Support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Spleen, Stomach

Parts used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Shi Jun Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Shi Jun Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Digestive Health Children's Health Parasite Management Appetite Support

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Shi Jun Zi performs to restore balance in the body:

Expels Parasites Resolves Accumulation Strengthens the Spleen to relieve childhood nutritional impairment

How these actions work

'Kills parasites' (杀虫) means this herb directly eliminates intestinal worms, particularly roundworms (ascaris) and pinworms. It has a paralyzing and lethal effect on these parasites within the digestive tract. Unlike most antiparasitic herbs that are bitter and harsh, Shǐ Jūn Zǐ is sweet-tasting, making it especially well suited for children who resist bitter medicines. It is considered the primary herb for expelling roundworms in the classical tradition.

'Dissolves accumulation' (消积) refers to the herb's ability to break down stagnation of food and waste products in the intestines. When parasites live in the gut, they disturb normal digestion and cause food to stagnate, leading to bloating, abdominal pain, and irregular stools. This herb gently promotes movement through the intestines due to its oily, lubricating nature, helping to expel both the parasites and the accumulated material they cause.

'Strengthens the Spleen to relieve childhood nutritional impairment' (健脾消疳) describes its ability to support the digestive system in children who have become malnourished from chronic parasitic infection. In TCM, 'gan' (疳, nutritional impairment) is a condition of wasting and malnutrition in children, marked by a sallow face, thin body, distended belly, and poor appetite. Because Shǐ Jūn Zǐ is sweet and warm, it not only removes the parasites causing the problem but also tonifies the Spleen and Stomach to restore normal digestive function. Li Shizhen called it 'an essential herb for all childhood diseases.'

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Shi Jun Zi is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Shi Jun Zi addresses this pattern

Shǐ Jūn Zǐ is the primary herb for addressing intestinal parasitic infestation, particularly roundworm (ascaris) infection. Its sweet and warm nature enters the Spleen and Stomach channels, allowing it to act directly within the digestive tract where parasites reside. The herb paralyzes and kills worms while its oily, lubricating quality gently promotes their expulsion from the intestines. Unlike most antiparasitic herbs that are bitter and cold (which can further damage an already weakened Spleen), Shǐ Jūn Zǐ's sweet warmth supports the Spleen even as it eliminates the parasites. This makes it especially appropriate when parasites have already weakened the digestion.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Abdominal Pain

Colicky abdominal pain around the navel, especially in children

Nausea

Nausea or vomiting of clear foamy fluid

Poor Appetite

Poor appetite with erratic food cravings

Dull Pale Complexion

Pale or bluish-white lips and face

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Shi Jun Zi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Intestinal Parasite

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, roundworm infection is understood as a condition where parasites take up residence in the intestines, often due to an underlying weakness of the Spleen and Stomach. When the Spleen's transformative function is strong, it creates an environment inhospitable to parasites. But when the Spleen is weak, especially in young children whose digestive systems are still developing, the gut becomes vulnerable. The parasites then further damage the Spleen, creating a vicious cycle of weakened digestion, food stagnation, and further parasite growth. Symptoms like periumbilical pain, a pale or bluish face, grinding teeth at night, and erratic appetite are all signs that parasites are disrupting the Spleen and Stomach's normal function.

Why Shi Jun Zi Helps

Shǐ Jūn Zǐ directly addresses both aspects of roundworm infection. Its sweet, warm nature enters the Spleen and Stomach channels where the worms reside. It both kills the parasites and supports the underlying Spleen function, breaking the cycle of weakened digestion and parasite proliferation. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that water extracts of the herb can paralyze pig roundworms within minutes. Its oily, lubricating quality then helps the dead or paralyzed worms pass out through the stool. Because it is sweet rather than bitter, it does not further damage an already weakened Spleen, a crucial advantage over harsher antiparasitic herbs.

Also commonly used for

Pinworms

Often combined with Bai Bu (百部) and Bing Lang (槟榔)

Abdominal Pain

Parasitic abdominal pain, especially periumbilical colic in children

Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea associated with parasitic infection or Spleen weakness in children

Poor Appetite

Loss of appetite in children due to parasites or Spleen deficiency

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered

Spleen Stomach

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Shi Jun Zi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

9-12g (whole fruit, crushed for decoction); 6-9g (kernel/ren, for pills, powders, or chewed roasted)

Maximum dosage

Do not exceed 20 roasted kernels per day in children (age-adjusted). For adults, do not exceed 12g of whole fruit or 9g of kernel in decoction without practitioner guidance.

Dosage notes

Shi Jun Zi should be taken on an empty stomach (early morning is traditional) for best anthelmintic effect. The whole fruit (with shell) is typically crushed and decocted at 9-12g. The shelled kernel (ren) at 6-9g is more commonly used in pill and powder formulations, or dry-roasted and chewed directly. For roundworm, it is usually taken once daily for 3 consecutive days. Lower doses suffice for mild cases or young children. Higher doses do not improve efficacy and increase the risk of hiccups, nausea, and vomiting. The roasted form (chao Shi Jun Zi ren) is preferred for strengthening its Spleen-supporting and food-accumulation-resolving action, while the raw form is considered stronger for killing parasites.

Preparation

When using whole fruit in decoction, the hard shell must be cracked and the contents crushed (捣碎) before adding to the pot, otherwise the active ingredients will not dissolve properly. Alternatively, the kernel can be removed from the shell and used directly.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Shi Jun Zi does

Processing method

The outer shell is removed to obtain the kernel (seed). Used raw or crushed for decoctions.

How it changes properties

Removing the shell makes the active kernel directly available. The raw kernel has stronger antiparasitic action. Temperature, taste, and channel entry remain unchanged.

When to use this form

Preferred when the primary goal is to expel intestinal parasites. Often crushed and included in decoctions, or ground into powder for pills and powders. Standard dosage is 6-9g.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Shi Jun Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Bing Lang
Bing Lang Shǐ Jūn Zǐ 9-12g : Bing Lang 6-10g

Shǐ Jūn Zǐ and Bing Lang (Areca seed) create a powerful antiparasitic pair that addresses a wider range of intestinal worms than either herb alone. Shǐ Jūn Zǐ specializes in killing roundworms, while Bing Lang is effective against tapeworms and other parasites. Together, they also promote intestinal peristalsis to expel the dead worms. Bing Lang's descending, qi-moving action complements Shǐ Jūn Zǐ's gentler lubricating quality.

When to use: For moderate to severe parasitic infections involving multiple types of intestinal worms, or when roundworm infection is accompanied by significant abdominal distension and qi stagnation.

Ku Lian Pi
Ku Lian Pi Shǐ Jūn Zǐ 10g : Ku Lian Pi 10g

This pairing combines two of the strongest antiparasitic herbs in TCM. Shǐ Jūn Zǐ (sweet, warm) and Ku Lian Pi (Chinaberry root bark; bitter, cold, toxic) have complementary natures that balance each other. Ku Lian Pi's strong bitter-cold parasite-killing power is tempered by Shǐ Jūn Zǐ's Spleen-protective sweet warmth, reducing the risk of digestive damage from Ku Lian Pi's harsh nature.

When to use: For severe roundworm infections where Shǐ Jūn Zǐ alone is insufficient. The addition of Ku Lian Pi dramatically increases the antiparasitic effect. Used in formulas like Shi Jun Zi San (《证治准绳》).

Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu Shǐ Jūn Zǐ 9g : Bai Zhu 9g

Shǐ Jūn Zǐ addresses the parasites and accumulated stagnation, while Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) strongly tonifies the Spleen Qi and dries dampness. Together they treat both the root cause (Spleen weakness) and the branch symptoms (parasites and stagnation) of childhood nutritional impairment. Bai Zhu's robust Spleen-strengthening action provides the digestive recovery needed after parasites are eliminated.

When to use: For childhood malnutrition (gan ji) with a thin, wasted body, sallow face, distended belly, poor appetite, and loose stools, where Spleen Qi deficiency is prominent alongside parasitic infestation.

Bai Bu
Bai Bu Shǐ Jūn Zǐ 9g : Bai Bu 9g

Shǐ Jūn Zǐ kills roundworms within the intestinal lumen, while Bai Bu (Stemona root) has documented effectiveness against pinworms. Together they provide broader-spectrum antiparasitic coverage. Research has shown the combination has greater efficacy than either herb used alone, with some effect on larval stages as well.

When to use: For pinworm (enterobiasis) infections, especially in children. Bai Bu can also be used as a retention enema alongside oral Shǐ Jūn Zǐ for stubborn pinworm infections.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Shi Jun Zi in a prominent role

Fei Er Wan 肥兒丸 Deputy

Fei Er Wan (Fat Baby Pill) is one of the most widely used formulas for childhood nutritional impairment (gan ji). Shǐ Jūn Zǐ serves as a key ingredient, showcasing its dual ability to kill parasites and support the Spleen. The formula combines it with Spleen-tonifying herbs (Bai Zhu, Shen Qu, Mai Ya), parasite-expelling herbs (Bing Lang), and heat-clearing herbs (Hu Huang Lian) to comprehensively treat malnourished, worm-infested children.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Bing Lang
Shi Jun Zi vs Bing Lang

Both are primary antiparasitic herbs, but they target different worm types. Shǐ Jūn Zǐ is sweet and warm, specializing in roundworms, and is gentle enough for young children. Bing Lang is acrid, bitter, and warm, with a broader spectrum (effective against tapeworms, fasciolopsiasis, and roundworms) and stronger downward-moving qi action, but is harsher on the digestion. Choose Shǐ Jūn Zǐ for mild roundworm infections in children; choose Bing Lang for severe or mixed parasitic infections, especially involving tapeworms.

Ku Lian Pi
Shi Jun Zi vs Ku Lian Pi

Both kill roundworms effectively, but Ku Lian Pi (Chinaberry root bark) is bitter, cold, and toxic, making it far harsher. It has stronger antiparasitic power but risks damaging the Spleen and Stomach, and its toxicity requires careful dosage control. Shǐ Jūn Zǐ is sweet, warm, and essentially nontoxic, making it the safer choice for children and anyone with underlying digestive weakness. For severe infections, the two are often combined so that Shǐ Jūn Zǐ can protect the Spleen while Ku Lian Pi provides additional killing power.

Fei Zi
Shi Jun Zi vs Fei Zi

Both are unusual among antiparasitic herbs in being sweet rather than bitter. However, they target different parasites. Shǐ Jūn Zǐ specializes in roundworms, while Fei Zi (Torreya seed) is traditionally used for tapeworms (cun bai chong). Li Shizhen explicitly noted this distinction. Fei Zi also moistens the Lungs and Large Intestine, giving it a role in treating dry cough and constipation that Shǐ Jūn Zǐ does not share.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Shi Jun Zi

Shi Jun Zi is occasionally confused with other five-ridged fruits. The key adulterant concern is substitution with immature or underripe fruit, which is smaller, lighter in weight, and has underdeveloped kernels with weaker therapeutic effect. Authentic fruit should have a fully mature purplish-black shell, while poor-quality substitutes may have greenish-brown shells. The hairy variant formerly classified as Quisqualis indica var. villosa (毛使君子) has also been used as a substitute and is now considered the same species. In some regions, fruits of entirely different species may be sold under the same name. Authentic Shi Jun Zi can be identified by its characteristic five-pointed star cross-section, hard shell, plump oily white kernel, and mild sweet taste.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Shi Jun Zi

Slightly toxic

Shi Jun Zi is classified as slightly toxic (小毒) in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and classical texts. The main toxic component is quisqualic acid (使君子氨酸), which is also the primary anthelmintic active compound. Quisqualic acid acts as a glutamate receptor agonist (AMPA and metabotropic receptors) and at excessive doses can cause excitotoxic effects. Symptoms of overdose include persistent hiccups, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, drowsiness or convulsions. Animal studies show that a crude preparation at 26.6 g/kg administered orally to dogs produced vomiting and hiccups but no other serious toxicity. The minimum lethal dose by subcutaneous injection in mice was approximately 20 g/kg. Proper processing (removing the shell, dry-frying to golden with a fragrant aroma) and appropriate dosing make the herb safe. Children's dosing should be strictly age-based (roughly 1 to 1.5 seeds per year of age, not exceeding 20 seeds total per day). If hiccups occur after ingestion, they can be relieved by drinking plain water or rice broth, chewing Gan Cao (licorice root), or drinking a decoction of the Shi Jun Zi shells.

Contraindications

Situations where Shi Jun Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Overdose: Large doses can cause hiccups (呃逆), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The dose must be carefully controlled, especially in children.

Avoid

Do not take with hot tea or hot beverages. Classical texts (Ben Cao Gang Mu) warn that combining Shi Jun Zi with hot tea causes hiccups and diarrhea: '忌饮热茶，犯之即泻' (avoid drinking hot tea, or diarrhea will follow).

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold without parasitic infection: The Ben Cao Hui Yan warns that in children with weak, cold Spleen and Stomach but no worm accumulation, taking this herb will cause harm ('苟无虫积，服之必致损人').

Caution

Avoid hot or warming foods while taking this herb. The Ben Cao Jing Shu states '忌食热物' (avoid eating hot-natured foods) during use.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

No specific pregnancy contraindication is traditionally recorded for Shi Jun Zi, but its slight toxicity (quisqualic acid content) and gastrointestinal-stimulating properties warrant caution. Pregnant women should avoid this herb unless specifically prescribed by a qualified practitioner, as the anthelmintic action and potential to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea could be problematic during pregnancy. There is no established safety data for use in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

There is no specific traditional or modern safety data on the use of Shi Jun Zi during breastfeeding. Given its slight toxicity and the active compound quisqualic acid (a neuroactive amino acid), it is prudent to avoid use during lactation unless considered necessary by a qualified practitioner. Any active compounds that might transfer into breast milk could potentially affect the nursing infant.

Children

Shi Jun Zi is historically one of the most important pediatric herbs in TCM and was specifically regarded as a premier medicine for childhood parasitic diseases. For children, the traditional dosing method is to have the child chew dry-roasted kernels (炒使君子仁): approximately 1 to 1.5 seeds per year of age per day (e.g., a 3-year-old would take 3 to 4.5 seeds). The total daily amount should never exceed 20 seeds. It should be taken on an empty stomach, once daily, for 3 consecutive days. Children should never be given hot tea while taking this herb. If a child develops persistent hiccups after taking Shi Jun Zi, rice broth or a decoction of the fruit shells can help resolve the symptom. Due to slight toxicity, strict dose control is essential and overdosing in children is the most common cause of adverse reactions.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Shi Jun Zi

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established for Shi Jun Zi in peer-reviewed literature. However, theoretical caution is advised:

  • Anticonvulsant / neurological medications: Quisqualic acid, the primary active compound, is a glutamate receptor agonist (AMPA and mGlu receptors). Theoretically, it could interact with medications affecting glutamatergic neurotransmission, though no clinical reports of such interactions exist.
  • Tannin-containing preparations: The classical prohibition against taking Shi Jun Zi with hot tea is likely related to tea tannins precipitating the active compounds or irritating the gastrointestinal tract, leading to hiccups and diarrhea. By extension, other tannin-rich beverages or preparations should be avoided during use.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Shi Jun Zi

Strictly avoid hot tea and strong tea while taking Shi Jun Zi. This is one of the most well-known dietary prohibitions in TCM and is documented in multiple classical texts. Hot or warming foods should also be avoided during the course of treatment. Serve with plain room-temperature or warm water only. Rice congee or broth is a suitable accompaniment, especially for children. If hiccups develop, drinking rice broth or chewing licorice root can help relieve the symptom.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Shi Jun Zi source plant

Shi Jun Zi (Combretum indicum, formerly Quisqualis indica) is a vigorous, climbing woody vine belonging to the Combretaceae family. In its youth it grows as a shrub, gradually developing long, twining stems that can reach 2.5 to 8 metres or more. The branchlets are covered in brownish-yellow fine hairs. The leaves are opposite or nearly so, elliptical to oblong, 5 to 18 cm long and 2.5 to 7 cm wide, with an acuminate tip and a rounded base. After the leaves drop, the persistent leaf stalk bases harden into thorn-like spurs.

The flowers are highly distinctive and fragrant, borne in terminal spike-like clusters. Each flower has an exceptionally long, narrow calyx tube (5 to 9 cm) and five obovate petals. Remarkably, the flowers change colour as they age: opening white in the evening, turning pink the next day, and deepening to red. This means a single cluster often displays white, pink, and red flowers simultaneously. The fruit is a hard, olive-shaped drupe, 2.5 to 4 cm long, with five prominent longitudinal ridges giving it a star-shaped cross-section. When mature, the outer shell turns dark purplish-black. Each fruit contains a single spindle-shaped seed with white, oily cotyledons.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Shi Jun Zi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Autumn (September to November), when the fruit shell turns from green to purplish-black, indicating full maturity.

Primary growing regions

The traditional daodi (terroir) regions have shifted over time. Historically, the finest Shi Jun Zi came from the Lingnan area (modern Guangdong and Guangxi). By the Ming Dynasty, Sichuan (Meishan) and Fujian (Shaowu) became important production centres. Today, the primary daodi region is Chongqing Municipality, particularly Tongliang District (铜梁区), Shuikou Town, which is the largest Shi Jun Zi production base in China and received National Geographic Indication status in 2014. It is also produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi. The plant grows naturally at elevations up to 1000-2500 metres in sunny thickets along hillsides, roadsides, and forest margins.

Quality indicators

Good quality Shi Jun Zi fruit is large, oval, with a smooth purplish-black outer shell that has a slight sheen. The five longitudinal ridges should be clearly defined. When cracked open, the seed kernel (ren) should be plump and full, yellowish-white in colour, oily, and slightly sweet with a mild fragrant aroma. The seed coat should be thin and easily peeled. Avoid fruit that is small, shrivelled, hollow, mouldy, or insect-damaged. Dark or blackened kernels indicate spoilage or poor storage. For the roasted form (chao Shi Jun Zi ren), the kernels should be golden-yellow with slight brown spots and have a pleasant toasted fragrance.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Shi Jun Zi and its therapeutic uses

Kai Bao Ben Cao (《开宝本草》, Song Dynasty)

Original: 「主小儿五疳，小便白浊，疗泻痢。」

Translation: "Treats the five types of childhood malnutrition (gan), cloudy urination in children, and treats diarrhea and dysentery."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Li Shizhen)

Original: 「凡杀虫药多是苦辛，惟使君、榧子，甘而杀虫，亦一异也……此物味甘气温，既能杀虫，又益脾胃，所以能敛虚热而止泻痢，为小儿诸病要药。」

Translation: "Most parasite-killing herbs are bitter and acrid. Only Shi Jun Zi and Fei Zi are sweet yet still kill parasites, which is truly remarkable... This substance is sweet in flavour and warm in nature. It can both kill parasites and benefit the Spleen and Stomach, and therefore it checks deficiency-heat and stops diarrhea. It is a key herb for all childhood diseases."

Ben Cao Jing Shu (《本草经疏》)

Original: 「使君子，为补脾健胃之要药……不苦不辛，而能杀疳蛔，此所以为小儿上药也。」

Translation: "Shi Jun Zi is a key herb for supplementing the Spleen and strengthening the Stomach... It is neither bitter nor acrid, yet can kill malnutrition-related parasites and roundworms. This is why it is a premier medicine for children."

Ben Cao Hui Yan (《本草汇言》)

Original: 「脾胃虚寒之子，又不宜多用，多食则发呃。苟无虫积，服之必致损人。」

Translation: "For children with Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, it should not be used in large amounts, as overconsumption causes hiccups. If there is no parasitic accumulation, taking it will certainly cause harm."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Shi Jun Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Shi Jun Zi has at least 1,600 years of documented medicinal use. It first appeared in the Jin Dynasty (3rd-4th century CE) in Ji Han's Nan Fang Cao Mu Zhuang (《南方草木状》, Account of Southern Plants and Trees) under the name 'Liu Qiu Zi' (留求子). The Song Dynasty Kai Bao Ben Cao (《开宝本草》) was the first to use the name 'Shi Jun Zi,' recording a folk legend about its origin: a physician named Guo Shijun (郭使君) from Panzhou in Sichuan discovered that roasted seeds of this plant could expel roundworms from his young grandson. He went on to use the fruit widely for parasitic and malnutrition disorders in children, and the plant came to be called 'Shi Jun Zi' (literally 'the gentleman's fruit') in his honour.

Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu elevated the herb's status by calling it a 'key medicine for all childhood diseases' (小儿诸病要药). He noted its unusual quality of being sweet rather than bitter, yet still effective at killing parasites. Over the centuries, the production regions shifted from the Lingnan area (Guangdong/Guangxi) to Sichuan and Fujian. Chongqing's Tongliang District has cultivated Shi Jun Zi since the Qing Dynasty Qianlong period (over 200 years ago). In modern times, with the advent of synthetic anthelmintic drugs, the medicinal demand for Shi Jun Zi has declined, but it remains widely used in traditional Chinese patent medicines and is increasingly valued as an ornamental vine.

Modern Research

2 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Shi Jun Zi

1

Comprehensive review of phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Combretum indicum (2014)

Lim TK. Combretum indicum. In: Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants, Volume 7. Springer, Dordrecht. 2014.

This book chapter provides a systematic review of the plant's chemical constituents (quisqualic acid, trigonelline, fatty acids, flavonoids, triterpenoids) and its documented pharmacological activities including anthelmintic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties across multiple preclinical studies.

Link
2

Screening of anticoccidial effects of herb extracts against Eimeria tenella (in vitro study, 2001)

Youn HJ, Noh JW. Screening of the anticoccidial effects of herb extracts against Eimeria tenella. Veterinary Parasitology. 2001; 96(4):257-263.

This study screened Korean medicinal herb extracts for antiparasitic effects. Quisqualis indica seed extract was among those tested for activity against the poultry parasite Eimeria tenella, providing preclinical evidence for the plant's traditional use against intestinal parasites.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.