- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (China, South and East Asia)
- Other names
- Zhi zi
Asia · Herb · № 200
Gardenia jasminoides
Herb · Asia
Gardenia (zhi zi)
Gardenia jasminoides
Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Not with diarrhoea or with cold and weakness.
Preparation
Fruit.
Use in traditions
Described in herbal medicine (Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic) and home, kitchen and folk custom. In herbal magic associated with harmony, healing, love, peace. The yellow fruits (zhi zi) cool heat and restlessness and colour food yellow. They are part of Huang Lian Jie Du Tang and Yin Chen Hao Tang. In Japan the fruit is called kuchinashi and colours sweet potato dishes for New Year.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.
Preparation and amount
Fruit.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- heart, liver, gallbladder, lung, stomach, triple burner
Attributed effects
Cools heat and calms the mind in high fever with restlessness, insomnia or delirium, drains damp heat from liver, gallbladder and bladder (jaundice, painful urination, sores around mouth and eyes) and cools the blood in bleeding from heat (then charred). Externally, mixed with egg white, on bruises and sprains.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–12 g a day, usually in a decoction. In China it is sometimes called the 'happiness herb', because it soothes irritability from heat.
Combinations
- With huang qin, lian qiao and dan dou chi for high fever with delirium
- With yin chen hao, huang bai and rhubarb for jaundice
Caution: Not with diarrhoea or with cold and weakness.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Harmony, healing, love, peace, attraction, meditation.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
Lets healing proceed at a calm pace (magical).
Preparation and amount
Petals in a healing sachet or healing ritual; in love spells.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction