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Knowledge baseHerbs

Zhi Zi (Shan Zhi Zi)栀子

Fructus GardeniaeCape Jasmine Fruit

Also known asGardenia · Gardenia Pod

Category
Herbs that Clear Heat in the *Qi* Stage
Nature
cold
Taste
bitter
Channels entered
Heart, Lung, Stomach, Liver, San Jiao
Secondary channels
Gallbladder, Yin Wei Mai
Dosage
3–12 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–12 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Clears Heat, reduces Fire and eliminates irritability in the *San Jiao*
Excess Heat in the Heart, Stomach and Liver with high fever, irritability, restlessness, a stifling sensation in the chest, insomnia or delirious speech, eye problems, anger, jaundice
Clears Heat and resolves Dampness (Drains Damp-Heat)
  • Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao with painful urinary dysfunction (Lin Syndrome)
  • Damp-Heat in the Liver/Gallbladder with jaundice
  • Damp-Heat in the San Jiao
  • Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder and San Jiao channels of the face affecting the nose and eyes or causing sores in the mouth or facial region
Cools the Blood and relieves toxicity (stops bleeding by astringing)
Heat in the Blood with epistaxis, hematemesis, hemafecia or hematuria (partially charred)
Reduces swelling and invigorates the Blood
Blood Stagnation due to trauma (topical)

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in loose stools or poor appetite from Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold.
  • Contraindicated in Blood Deficiency Heat.
  • Contraindicated in abdominal and epigastric pain not caused by Fire.
  • Exercise caution when driving or operating heavy machinery.

Interactions

Zhi Zi has a sedative effect and may prolong drug-induced sleep time when combined with sedatives such as antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and others.

Combinations

Notes

  • Because it drains Heat from all three Jiaos, particularly the Lower Jiao, it addresses most Damp-Heat conditions.
  • The pods are valued as a source of yellow dye.
  • The flowers Zhi Zi Hua are prized for their fragrance and used medicinally to regulate Blood flow, stop bleeding, and as a contraceptive by increasing menstrual flow.
  • The seeds are used for jaundice, rheumatism, and twisted muscles.
  • Some sources say it treats dysphoria.
  • It is regarded as essential for treating chest Heat, clearing Heart and Lung Heat accumulation by promoting urination.
  • It has been shown to inhibit the activation of cancer cells.
  • It reduces Blood Stasis caused by Heat accumulation.
  • It is said to clear Liver and Gallbladder inflammation and enhance their function.
  • It is paired with Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo for Stomach pain.
  • For difficult urination, 2-7 fruits are pounded together with a little salt and a clove of garlic and applied to the navel or scrotum.
  • Used raw, it clears Heat; dry-fried until black, it stops bleeding; roasted in ginger juice, it stops nausea; its pulp clears Internal Heat and its peel clears External Heat.
  • Gardenia Kernels Shan Zhi Ren are used for Internal Heat.
  • Gardenia Peels Shan Zhi Pi are used for External Heat (muscles and flesh).
  • Dry-fried Gardenia Chao Shan Zhi Zi is particularly effective for calming rebellious Stomach Qi while clearing Heat agitation.
  • Charred Gardenia Shan Zhi Zi Tan is used for Heat from Excess or Fire toxin presenting with epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria, or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
  • Gardenia Flower Zhi Zi Hua and its extracts are used for contraceptive purposes.

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