ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecology, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors of Chinese tallow tree. Chinese tallow tree is cultivated for its seeds as a source of vegetable tallow, a drying oil and protein food, and as an ornamental. Fruits yield two types of fats: outer covering of seeds contain a solid fat with low iodine value, known as Chinese Vegetable Tallow; kernels produce a drying oil with high iodine value, called Stillingia Oil. Tallow is used for manufacturing candles, a layer of wax being placed over the tallow body to prevent too-rapid burning; has excellent burning quality, and gives an inodorous, clear, bright flame; also used for making soap, cloth dressing, and fuel. In Chinese medicine, oil is used as purgative and emetic, not as a usual vegetable oil for humans.
