Ma Jiazi Leaves, a name for a traditional Chinese medicine. These are the leaves of Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir., a plant in the Rhamnaceae family. It is distributed in southwestern China, as well as in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. It has the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying.It is commonly used to treat conditions characterized by excessive heat and toxins congested at the skin surface, resulting in abscesses and boils that are swollen and painful but fail to ulcerate for a prolonged period, or to treat damp sores accompanied by uncontrollable itching and persistent oozing.
Ma Jiazi Ye
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All references in this article to TCM syndrome differentiation, herbal medicines, teas, and decoctions are intended to promote TCM culture and are provided solely for educational and reference purposes.
Ma Jiazi Leaves, a name for a traditional Chinese medicine. These are the leaves of Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir., a plant in the Rhamnaceae family. It is distributed in southwestern China, as well as in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. It has the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying.It is commonly used to treat conditions characterized by excessive heat and toxins congested at the skin surface, resulting in abscesses and boils that are swollen and painful but fail to ulcerate for a prolonged period, or to treat damp sores accompanied by uncontrollable itching and persistent oozing.
Chinese Name : 马甲子叶
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Bitter in taste, cool in nature. Enters the Heart and Liver meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Clears heat and detoxifies.
Indications
For conditions of intense heat and toxin stagnation in the superficial layers of the skin, resulting in swollen and painful boils and abscesses that fail to ulcerate for a prolonged period; or for treating damp sores characterized by uncontrollable itching and continuous oozing.
Usage and Dosage
External use: Pound into a paste and apply to the affected area.
Relevant Discussions
*Nanning Materia Medica*: “Applied externally to treat eye inflammation and pain, as well as abscesses and boils that have ruptured and are discharging pus.”
Applications
Related Compatibility
For treating abscesses and swellings: Pound fresh Ma Jia Zi leaves with a small amount of brown sugar into a paste and apply to the affected area; replace when dry. (*Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine*)
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest in summer and sun-dry.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Ma Jiazi, a plant of the Rhamnaceae family.
Morphological Characteristics
A shrub growing up to 6 m tall. Twigs are brown and covered with short soft hairs. Leaves are alternate; petioles are 5–9 mm long, hairy, with two purplish-red spines at the base, 0.4–7 cm long;Leaf blades are papery, broadly ovate, ovate-elliptic, or round, 3–7 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, with a blunt or rounded apex, a broadly cuneate or nearly rounded base that is slightly oblique, and finely serrated margins; the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface pale green and dull; both surfaces are covered with short, brownish-black soft hairs along the veins or glabrous; there are three basal veins.Flowers are bisexual, borne in axillary cymes, covered with yellow tomentum; small, 6 mm in diameter, yellowish-green; sepals 5, triangular, 2 mm long; petals 5, spatulate, shorter than the sepals; stamens 5, equal in length to or slightly longer than the petals; disk circular, margin 5- or 10-lobed;The ovary is 3-chambered; the style is deeply 3-lobed, and the stigma is globose. The drupe is cup-shaped, covered with yellowish-brown or brownish-yellow tomentum, and surrounded by 3 shallowly lobed, narrow, corky wings; it measures 1–1.7 cm in diameter and 7–8 mm in length. The seeds are purplish-red or reddish-brown and flattened-round. Flowering occurs from May to August, and fruiting from September to October.
Distribution Area
Distributed in Southwest China, as well as Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi.
Copyright: Excerpt from Internet, Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 2, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 2, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 2, 2026
Correct Content Errors: Errors may occur during the writing, editing, translation, and publication of website content. If you find any errors or inaccurate information in this article, please feel free to Contact Us to report them, and we will correct them promptly.
FDA Disclaimer: The descriptions of the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines, herbal teas, decoctions, and formulas, as well as the content on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic theory and traditional TCM therapies contained on this site, are intended solely for the purpose of popularizing TCM culture and serving as an educational reference; they do not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment advice. Please do not attempt to use these products on your own without proper guidance. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing any physical discomfort, please consult a licensed healthcare professional and seek treatment at a reputable medical institution. This platform assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of herbs or formulas by any individual based on the information provided on this site. Please read Medical Disclaimer.
