Long ellipsoid, 3-obtuse-ridged, 2-4 cm long, 1-2.5 cm in diameter. Externally greyish-brown to reddish-brown, with longitudinally furrows and ribs, a rounded and projected stylopodium on the summit and a fruit stalk or its scar at the base. Pericarp tough, easily torn off longitudinally. On peeling off the exocarp the central part showing yellowish-brown septa dividing the masses of seeds into 3 groups, each having mostly 8-11 seeds. Seeds conicalpolyhedral, about 5 mm in diameter, externally reddish-brown, covered with greyish-white membranous aril. Seed with a longitudinal furrowed raphe and a dented helium at the apes; texture hard, endosperm greyish-white. Odour, characteristic aromatic; taste, pungent and slightly bitter.

Accumulation of cold-damp in the spleen and the stomach manifested by epigastric distension, fullness and pain accompanied by vomiting; malaria with paroxysms of chills and fever.

1. Resolving dampness and warming middle Jiao

To treat syndrome of cold-damp accululating in the interior with pain and distension of the chest and abdomen, it can be used with Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, Flos Caryphylli, Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, etc; to treat syndrome of accumulation of dampness in middle Jiao with pain and distension of episgatrium and abdomen or vomiting, with Rhizoma Atractylodis, Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, etc. to treat syndrome of retension of damp-phlegm, marked by headache and back pain, nausea and vomiting after meal, with Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Arisaematis, etc.

2. Arresting onset of malaria

The herb can produce the effects of resolving dampness, dispersing cold and relieving malaria, especially due to predominant cold-dampness. To treat cold syndrome of spleen with malaria with heavy chilliness and lower fever, or with only chilliness but no fever, or diarrhea and anorexia, etc. it can be used with Radix Aconiti Praeparata, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae; to treat quotidian or tertian malaria with alternating chilliness and fever, accompanied with headache and flush face and thirst, it can be used with Radix Bupleuri, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Dichroae, etc.