Medicinals
zhī zǐ / 栀子 / 梔子 / gardenia [fruit];
Latin pharmacognostic name: Gardeniae Fructus
Alternate English names: Cape jasmine [fruit]
Alternate Chinese names: 山栀子 shān zhī zǐ; 栀子仁 zhī zǐ rén; 支子 zhī zǐ; 枝子 zhī zǐ; 小栀子 xiǎo zhī zǐ; 黄栀子 huáng zhī zǐ; 山栀 shān zhī; 栀子 zhī zǐ; 山栀仁 shān zhī rén
Origin: Plant
Use: medicinal
Category: Heat-clearing agents / Heat-clearing fire-draining agents
Properties: Bitter; cold.
Channel entry: heart, lung, stomach, and triple burner channels.
Indications:
- Drains fire and eliminates vexation: Febrile disease with
vexation and oppression , and agitation. - Clears heat and disinhibits dampness: Damp-heat jaundice.
- Cools the blood and resolves toxin: Vomiting of blood and nosebleed due to frenetic movement of hot blood.
- Disperses swelling and relieves pain: Toxin swelling of
sore s and welling-abscesses,injury from knocks and falls .
Dosage & Method:
Oral: 6–12g in decoctions; use in pills and powders. Topical: Grind to a powder and apply mixed.
Warning:
Contraindicated in spleen vacuity with sloppy stool and reduced eating.
Quality:
Small, unbroken, plump fruits that are red on the inside and outside are best.
Product Area:
Produced mainly in Húnán, Jiāngxī, and Zhèjiāng, but also in Sìchuān, Húběi, Yúnnán, Guìzhōu, Jiāngsū, ānhuī, Guǎngdōng, Guǎngxī.