Melia toosendan Root Porridge

[Supplement to ‘Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Ounces of Gold for Universal Relief’]

[Porridge Composition] 10 to 15 grams of white bark of Melia toosendan (30 to 60 grams if fresh), 1 to 2 liang of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar.

[Efficacy and Indications] Kills parasites and expels roundworms. Applicable for abdominal pain due to accumulation of roundworms and parasites.

[Decoction Method] First, decoct the cortex of Melia toosendan over a low flame, strain to obtain the juice and discard the dregs. Then, add non-glutinous rice and rock sugar, and cook into a thin porridge.

[Explanation of Congee Efficacy] Melia toosendan bark has a long history of民间 (folk) use for expelling roundworms. After the liberation, reports from various regions have confirmed its definite efficacy. As early as over a thousand years ago, the Ming Yi Bie Lu (Famous Physicians’ Supplementary Records) recorded its functions, stating that it can “supports roundworms and promote bowel movements.” The Modern Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine also mentions that “the root bark is effective against tapeworms, roundworms, and pinworms.”

Both the dry bark and root bark of Melia azedarach L. can expel roundworms. Through examination of 23 relevant prescriptions from ancient medical books across different dynasties, including Tang Dynasty’s “Qian Jin Fang”, 16 of them primarily use root bark. Records after the Ming Dynasty more frequently adopt root bark. Recent clinical application results demonstrate that root bark is twice as effective as tree bark. Regarding collection time, root bark collected in winter or before sprouting in spring yields the highest efficacy. In terms of decoction methods, due to the poor water solubility of the active ingredients in Meliae Cortex, it requires prolonged simmering over gentle heat to achieve definite effects. Regarding administration, it should be taken on an empty stomach before bedtime or in the morning.

It is advisable to take the entire dose at once or divide it into two doses to be taken before bedtime and the next morning. Regarding the anthelmintic effect, based on the clinical analysis of over 20,000 cases of intestinal ascariasis supports solely with Cortex Meliae, the expulsion of roundworms generally occurs within a few hours or 2 to 3 days after administration, with the majority being expelled between 24 to 48 hours. To reduce the irritation of Cortex Meliae on the gastric mucosa and helps maintain gastrointestinal reactions, cooking it with rice to make porridge and adding rock sugar to improve the taste is an excellent method. The “Sheng Ji Zong Lu, Volume 190, Dietary Therapy Section” records: “For supports Heart pain caused by roundworms, a porridge recipe using the root of Melia azedarach. Wash the root of Melia azedarach to remove soil, finely chop half a sheng (a traditional Chinese unit of volume) of the bark. Take this single ingredient, add two and a half sheng of water, and simmer over a slow fire until it reduces to eight he (another traditional Chinese unit of volume). Strain out the dregs. Rinse three he of millet thoroughly, adjust the amount of water as needed, and cook it together with the decoction of Melia azedarach root to make a thick porridge. Fast overnight and consume the entire porridge in the morning, and all roundworms will be expelled.” This method of using medicinal porridge to expel roundworms is simple in terms of ingredient sourcing, inexpensive, safe, and reliable, making it worthy of promotion.

In addition, consuming Melia toosendan bark porridge also has certain effects in expelling pinworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.

[Precautions] For the antiparasitic effect of Melia toosendan bark porridge, it is advisable to take it in a single dose on an empty stomach. Depending on the antiparasitic situation, it can be taken again after an interval of 5 to 7 days. According to the experience of the local people, the root bark of Melia toosendan trees that are often used to tether cattle should not be selected.

Q1: How to make Melia toosendan root porridge?

A1: To make Melia toosendan root porridge, first decoct 10 to 15 grams of dried white bark (or 30 to 60 grams if fresh) of Melia toosendan over a low flame, then strain the liquid. Add 1 to 2 liang of japonica rice and an appropriate amount of rock sugar to the strained decoction, and cook until the rice is soft and the porridge thickens.

Q2: What is Melia toosendan root porridge used for?

A2: Melia toosendan root porridge is traditionally used to kill parasites and expel roundworms. It is specifically indicated for abdominal pain caused by the accumulation of roundworms and other parasites. This porridge is a folk remedy mentioned in supplements to ancient medical texts.

Q3: Is Melia toosendan root porridge safe for children?

A3: Melia toosendan root porridge should be used with caution in children, as the bark contains toxic compounds that may cause adverse effects if not properly prepared or dosed. Consultation with a qualified healthcare professional is essential before administering this porridge to children, especially to ensure correct dosage and safety.

Q4: What are the ingredients of Melia toosendan root porridge?

A4: The ingredients include 10 to 15 grams of dried white bark of Melia toosendan (or 30 to 60 grams if using fresh bark), 1 to 2 liang of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. The bark is decocted first, then the rice and sugar are added to the strained liquid.

Q5: How does Melia toosendan root porridge work for parasite infections?

A5: Melia toosendan root porridge works by leveraging the anthelmintic properties of the Melia toosendan bark, which contains compounds that paralyze or kill intestinal parasites like roundworms. The porridge form facilitates gentle expulsion of the parasites, while the rice and sugar improve palatability and digestion.

Q6: Can Melia toosendan root porridge be used for other digestive issues?

A6: While the primary use of Melia toosendan root porridge is for parasite-induced abdominal pain, some traditional applications may address other digestive discomfort from worms. However, due to potential toxicity, it should not be used for non-parasitic digestive issues without professional guidance.