China Officinalis

China officinalis, commonly known as Chinese gall or galla chinensis, is a medicinal substance derived from the hardened sap, or gall, that forms on the twigs of the Rhus chinensis tree, a species of sumac native to China and other parts of Asia. In Hebrew, it is known as גל חינזי. The formation of the gall is induced by the feeding of the gall wasp (Rhus chinensis), which injects chemicals into the plant, causing the sap to harden. This substance has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, valued for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic properties. In Japanese, it is referred to as 中黄 (Chūō), and in Korean, it is known as 중황 (Junghwang). The primary active compound in China officinalis is tannic acid, which is responsible for many of its medicinal effects. It is often used in the treatment of diarrhea, bleeding disorders, and as a topical application for wounds and skin irritations. Additionally, it has been used in the production of ink and as a dye in various cultural contexts.