Zhi Zi
Gardenia jasminoides Ellis
โฏ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Eliminates Irritability; Clears Heat and Promotes Urination; Clears Damp-Heat and Resolves Jaundice; Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding; Resolves Toxicity; Reduces Swelling and Alleviates Pain
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Gardenia jasminoides (Zhi Zi, cape jasmine) is an evergreen shrub in the Rubiaceae family, typically growing 1 to 3 meters tall, with smooth grayish bark and opposite, lustrous dark green, lanceolate to elliptic leaves 5 to 15 centimeters long with prominent venation and conspicuous interpetiolar stipules. The fragrant flowers are solitary, terminal, with a tubular calyx bearing 5 to 8 narrow lobes and a salverform corolla 5 to 7 centimeters across, white at first and aging cream-yellow, with a sweet jasmine-like scent. The fruits, the part used medicinally, are oblong-elliptic to obovate berries 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters long, ripening from green to a striking orange-yellow or reddish-orange, with 5 to 9 prominent longitudinal ridges and persistent calyx lobes at the apex. Inside, the pulp is yellow and contains numerous flattened reddish-orange seeds yielding the crocin pigments responsible for the dye and the bitter, cooling medicinal action. Native to East Asia, widely cultivated.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Xiao Hui Xiang (fennel seed) is a warm, sweet-pungent herb that disperses cold and moves Qi, primarily in the lower burner. Its main indications are cold-type lower abdominal pain, hernia pain, orchitis from cold invasion of the Liver channel, and digestive discomfort from cold stagnation. It is also commonly used as a culinary spice, and its warming, Qi-moving properties make it a useful food medicine for cold digestion and poor appetite in cold weather.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.