Hypertension, immune dysfunction treated with TCM Buddha hand

What is Buddha hand(Fo Shou)?
Also known as Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis, in TCM it refers to the dried fruit of Citrus medica L. var. Sarcodactylis Swingle, a fragrant variety in the Citrus genus (Rutaceae). Medicinally it is harvested during autumn when the fruits start to turn yellow. After the harvest, they are sliced vertically into sheets, and dried in the sun or under low temperature.

Medicinally the dried Buddha fingers fruit is elliptical or oval slices, 6 to 10cm long, 3 to 7cm wide, 0.2 to 0.4cm thick, and often wrinkled or curled. The top is slightly wider, often with 3 to 5 finger-like sections. The base is slightly narrow and some come with fruit stem scars. Outer rind is yellow-green or orange, and with wrinkles and oil spots. Pulp is pale yellowish white and scattered with uneven wirelike or dotted vascular bundle. It is hard and brittle, and turns pliable after affected with damp. It has lovely lemon-like floral aroma and slightly sweet bitter flavor.

Buddah hand fruit contains volatile oil and coumarin compounds. Main chemical constituents are bergapten, limonin, aurantiamarin, diosmin, and so on.

Buddha’s hand benefits
As above, Buddha hand citron can be served for many health benefits. Now you can understand this amazing herb more from the point of view of modern pharmacology.

Modern pharmacological actions
1. Alcohol extract of Buddah’s hand fruit can significantly inhibit intestinal smooth muscle;
2. Alcohol extract of hand of Buddha fruit can dilate the coronary blood vessels and increase coronary blood flow. When in high concentration, it inhibits myocardial contractility, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and protects experimental myocardial ischemia;
3. Buddhas hand citrus relieves Asthma and eliminates phlegm to some degree;
4. The fructus citri sarcodactylis polysaccharide contained in Buddha hands fruit plays an important role in supporting immune function. That being said, it promotes the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophage, and tremendously fights against the cyclophosphamide-induced immune dysfunction.