- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (China, Korea, Japan)
- Other names
- Japanse kornoelje
Asia · Herb · № 322
Cornus officinalis
Herb · Asia
Asiatic dogwood fruit (shan zhu yu)
Cornus officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antimicrobial.
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 fire or damp heat with difficult urination. Shock is a medical emergency.
Preparation
Fruit.
Use in traditions
Described in herbal medicine (Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic). The sour red berries bind and nourish the kidneys and are part of the classic Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and the Japanese Hachimijiogan. In Korea Gurye is known for its sansuyu festival when the shrubs flower yellow.
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
Tonic, diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antimicrobial.
Preparation and amount
Fruit.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sour, warm
- Meridians
- liver, kidney
Attributed effects
Retains essence and strengthens liver and kidneys in frequent urination, involuntary loss of urine, impotence, a weak back and knees, dizziness, spontaneous sweating and seminal emission. Used in collapse of yang or qi with heavy sweating, and in excessive uterine bleeding from deficiency.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–12 g a day, usually in a decoction. A mild tonic itself, but together with kidney tonics it works like a 'buckle' that holds the body fluids. Complements schisandra well.
Combinations
- With prepared rehmannia and du zhong for liver and kidney deficiency
- With ginseng and huang qi for sweating from weakness
- With du zhong and ji xue teng for high blood pressure
Caution: Not with fire or damp heat with difficult urination. Shock is a medical emergency.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction