Mall Toona Sinensis

Mall Toona Sinensis

　　Toona sinensis: Also known as red toon. It is a deciduous tree of the Meliaceae family. Its leaves are pinnately compound, appearing red when young. The tender leaves and shoots are a delicious woody vegetable in late spring and early summer. Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty wrote in *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “The bark of the toon tree is fine, its flesh firm and red, and its tender leaves are fragrant and sweet, suitable for eating.” The *Shangcheng County Annals・Products* from the Jiaqing era also records: Toon “has young buds and leaves that are slightly red in early spring, and are very delicious when harvested.” The tender buds and leaves of toona sinensis contain a pleasant and unique aromatic fragrance, making them suitable for stir-frying, cold mixing, or pickling. Not only is toona sinensis rich in nutrients, but it can also treat various ailments. It has a bitter, astringent, cool nature and is non-toxic. It is effective in clearing heat, strengthening the stomach, reducing inflammation, stopping bleeding, and killing parasites. It can be used to treat chronic diarrhea, intestinal bloody stools, uterine bleeding, leukorrhea, nocturnal emission, turbid urine, malnutrition, and roundworm infections.

　　Information source: Office of the People's Government of Shangcheng County