Wu Bei Zi (Galla chinensis) — Dried Gallnut Herb for Traditional Blends & Foot Soaks

Wu Bei Zi (Galla chinensis), also known as Chinese Gallnut or Bǎi Chóng Cāng (百虫仓), is the dried gall formed on the Rhus chinensis tree and highly revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For centuries, Wu Bei Zi has been prized as an astringent, securing, and sore-clearing herb, traditionally used to restrain leakage, bind the intestines, and address damp-heat patterns of the lower body. Its nature is sour, astringent, and neutral, making it a focused yet versatile herb in both internal decoctions and external washes.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional astringent food herb
• Dried Galla chinensis gallnut
• Known in TCM as Wu Bei Zi
• Pairs traditionally with She Chuang Zi
• New-crop, sun-dried quality

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is carefully sun-dried to preserve its greyish-brown to amber outer shell, dense horn-like texture, and faintly resinous aroma. When decocted, the galls release a strongly astringent, sour-tinged infusion with a dry, puckering mouthfeel, characteristic of high-tannin botanical material.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoctions
• External herbal washes and soaks
• Herbal foot soak blends
• Paired formulas with She Chuang Zi
• Astringent herbal tea blends

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Wu Bei Zi is decocted alone or in combination with herbs such as She Chuang Zi (蛇床子) for external washes and foot soaks, a pairing long used in traditional home care for the lower body. It also appears in astringent decoctions and herbal formulas where its securing nature is valued, and in some regional traditions it is simmered into washes for the skin and scalp.

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