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Knowledge baseHerbs

Shan Zhu Yu山茱萸

Fructus CorniCornus

Also known asAsiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit · Dogwood Fruit · Japanese Dogwood Berry

Category
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Nature
slightly warm
Taste
sour
Channels entered
Kidney, Liver
Dosage
6–12 g

Usual doses

Dosage
6–12 g
Shock
30–60 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Stabilizes the Kidneys and astringes *Jing and Body Fluids*
Leakage of fluids due to weak Jing with urinary frequency and incontinence, spermatorrhea and excessive sweating
Stops excessive sweating and supports that which has collapsed
  • Collapse of Qi with excessive sweating and shock
  • Devastated Yang with excessive sweating and shock
  • Sweating mistakenly induced as a treatment
Tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin and strengthens Kidney *Yang*
Light-headedness, dizziness, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees or impotence due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Stabilizes the menses and stops bleeding
Excessive uterine bleeding and prolonged menstruation due to Deficiency (weak effect)

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in Blazing Ming Men Fire with frequent erections.
  • Contraindicated in painful or difficult urination caused by Bladder Heat.
  • Contraindicated in Damp-Heat conditions.

Incompatibilities

  • Antagonistic with Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng.
  • Antagonistic with Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng.
  • Antagonistic with Rz. Aristolochiae Guang Fang Ji.

Interactions

Because this herb has diuretic activity, combining it with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), or torsemide (Demadex) is best avoided, as additive or synergistic effects may result.

Combinations

Notes

  • It nourishes the marrow.
  • It commonly appears in Yin Tonic formulas aimed at nourishing the Liver and Kidneys.
  • Larger doses are used for its astringent action.
  • Some sources instead classify it as a Yang Tonic.
  • It strengthens Yin, augments Jing, calms the five organs, and — taken over the long term — brightens the eyes, builds vigor, and extends lifespan.
  • It relieves brain and bone pain, corrects irregular periods, tonifies Kidney Qi, boosts male sexual function, replenishes Jing and marrow, treats tinnitus, and controls incontinence in the elderly.
  • Shan Zhu Yu and Fr. Rosae Laevigatae (Jin Ying Zi) share a sour, astringent action that conserves and stabilizes the Lower Jiao, treating deficient leakage such as spermatorrhea, incontinence, and watery vaginal discharge; Shan Zhu Yu strongly tonifies both Jing and Yang Qi while still holding the Jing in, stops sweating, supports against collapse, and gently stabilizes menstrual bleeding, whereas Jin Ying Zi stabilizes without tonifying, yet can treat chronic diarrhea, which Shan Zhu Yu cannot.
  • Wine-prepared as Jiu Shan Yu, it becomes warmer, mildly acrid, and somewhat less sour and astringent; alongside tonifying the Liver and Kidneys, it harmonizes the Blood and invigorates the collaterals, addressing low-back pain from Kidney weakness or chronic rib pain from Liver Deficiency.
  • Steamed as Zheng Shan Yu, it mainly tonifies the Liver and Kidneys while stabilizing and holding in Jing, treating vertigo, impotence, premature ejaculation, frequent and profuse urination, and excessive uterine bleeding due to Deficiency.

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