Fo Shou (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Fo Shou work to relieve stomach pain and nausea?

Fo Shou contains limonene and flavonoids that help relax smooth muscle in the digestive tract, which may explain its traditional use for stomach pain and nausea. The essential oils stimulate gastric secretions and promote healthy digestion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fo Shou regulates liver qi stagnation and harmonizes the stomach, addressing the root cause of digestive discomfort. Evidence level C indicates these mechanisms are supported primarily by traditional use and preliminary pharmacological research rather than extensive clinical trials.

Does Fo Shou interact with any prescription medications?

There are no well-documented drug interactions for Fo Shou at standard therapeutic doses. However, its flavonoid content, including hesperidin, may theoretically affect how the liver metabolizes certain medications through cytochrome P450 enzymes. Those taking blood thinners, diabetes medications, or drugs processed by the liver should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence level C means formal interaction studies are limited, so caution is advised when combining with prescription medications.

What is the recommended dosage for Fo Shou tea?

The standard adult dosage for Fo Shou is 3-9 grams of dried fruit slices prepared as a tea or decoction. Steep the slices in hot water for 10-15 minutes before drinking. This dosage range is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine texts and pharmacopoeia standards. Higher doses are not recommended as they may cause dry mouth or aggravate yin deficiency conditions. Traditional practitioners may adjust dosages based on individual constitution and specific symptoms being addressed.

Is Fo Shou safe to take during pregnancy?

Fo Shou is generally considered safe during pregnancy at standard therapeutic doses of 3-9 grams. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have used it for centuries to relieve pregnancy-related nausea and digestive discomfort. However, high doses should be avoided during pregnancy as a precautionary measure. The safety rating is based on traditional use rather than clinical studies. Pregnant women should always consult a qualified healthcare provider or licensed acupuncturist before using any herbal remedies during pregnancy.

What is Fo Shou (Buddha's Hand) used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Fo Shou is traditionally used in TCM to regulate liver qi stagnation, harmonize the stomach, and dry dampness. Common applications include relieving stomach pain, nausea, hiccups, and phlegm-type coughs. The fruit's intense floral fragrance is also valued for its calming aromatherapy properties and ability to ease emotional tension associated with liver qi stagnation. Evidence level C indicates these uses are supported primarily by traditional practice spanning centuries and preliminary pharmacological research rather than extensive modern clinical trials.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Fo Shou (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis), also known as Fingered Citron or Buddha's hand, is a member of the Rutaceae family used in traditional herbal medicine and functional foods [PMID:39427793].

Contexte

Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis is a revered plant with a long history of use in China, utilized as a traditional herbal medicine, ornamental plant, and functional food [PMID:39427793].

Usages traditionnels

It is used as a traditional herbal medicine [PMID:39427793], a botanical for addressing sleeplessness [PMID:39334868], and as a folk remedy for protecting the gastric mucosa [PMID:37372566].

Composés actifs

Key bioactive components include polysaccharides (FCPs) [PMID:39427793], essential oils rich in terpenoids such as limonene and gamma-terpinene [PMID:31311090, PMID:19761210], flavonoids including hesperidin, diosmetin-6-8-di-C-glucoside, and diosmetin-6-C-glucoside [PMID:33195374, PMID:42042899], and coumarins such as citropten, phellopterin, and byakangelicol [PMID:37836760, PMID:37922567].

Mécanisme d'action

Mechanisms include the inhibition of NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways to suppress inflammatory mediators like TNF-alpha, IL-6, and NO [PMID:41750880, PMID:39641764]. It may also modulate the gut microbiota to activate steroid hormone biosynthesis [PMID:41849251] and regulate the NRF2/HO-1 pathway to combat ferroptosis and oxidative stress [PMID:36992577].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DObesity

Finger citron extract and limettin reduced body weight gain and improved glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet-induced obese mice [PMID:41849251]

Preuve DColitis

Citropten (a compound in Finger Citron) alleviated acute and recurrent colitis in mice by blocking NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT3 pathways [PMID:37922567]

Preuve DGastric Damage

Aqueous extract of pickled finger citron protected gastric mucosa in rat models by promoting TFF2 secretion and inhibiting TNF-alpha [PMID:37372566]

Preuve DType 2 Diabetes

Finger citron fruits demonstrated insulin secretagogue and slimming effects in rat models [PMID:19761210]

Preuve DCognitive Impairment

Fo-Shou-San (a decoction containing Finger Citron) ameliorated cognitive disorders and lessened oxidative stress in mice with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion [PMID:36992577]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In vivo safety tests in Sprague-Dawley-SPF rats and Wistar DIO rats were performed, though specific adverse effects were not detailed in the provided abstracts [PMID:19761210].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence is primarily based on in vitro assays and animal models (mice and rats), indicating potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic benefits; no human clinical trials were provided.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 39427793 (2024) — Review of polysaccharides from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis. (Fingered citron): Their extraction, purification, structural characteristics, bioactivity and potential applications. · International journal of biological macromolecules
2.PMID: 24632217 (2014) — Water-soluble polysaccharides from finger citron fruits (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis). · Carbohydrate research
3.PMID: 39334868 (2024) — Sedative-Hypnotic Effect and Mechanism of Carbon Nanofiber Loaded with Essential Oils of Ligusticum chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Finger Citron (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis) on Mice Models of Insomnia. · Biomolecules
4.PMID: 33350232 (2020) — [Comparative transcriptomics analysis of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis at different developmental stages]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5.PMID: 35757248

Fo Shou

Sources et citations

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