Ardisia, Zi Jin Niu 紫金牛

Nakai, T., Trees and shrubs indigenous in Japan proper [Dai Nihon jumokushi] (1935-1951)

Ardisia japonica
(Photo by Kenraiz) (Wikimedia)

Uses:

1. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:

-Cough, Chronic Bronchitis and Wheezing with Heat and excess Phlegm
-Respiratory Tract infections
-it can be used alone for the above purposes
-Lung Abscess, coughing up Pus
-Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Pneumonia

2. Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urine:

-Jaundice, Hepatitis
-Edema with Strangury or difficult urination
-acute and chronic Nephritis

3. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Eases Pain:

-Trauma, Bruising, Fractures with swelling and pain (topically and internally)
-Joint and muscle pain
-Dysmenorrhea, irregular Menstruation

Main Combinations:

1. Cough, Wheezing:
i. from Lung Heat, Ardisia with Eriobotrya Pi Pa Ye, Chrysanthemum indicum Ye Ju Hua
ii. acute respiratory tract infection, Ardisia with Scutellaria Huang Qin, Platycodon Jie Geng, Forsythia Lian Qiao
2. Asthma, Ardisia with Isatis folium Da Qing Ye, Peucedanum Qian Hu, Mulberry root-bark (Sang Bai Pi), Pinellia Ban Xia, Ephedra Ma Huang, Ginkgo (Bai Guo), Licorice (as in Xiao Chuan Chong Ji)
3. Lung Abscess, Ardisia with Houttuynia Yu Xing Cao
4. Pulmonary Tuberculosis with blood-streaked sputum:
i. Fresh Ardisia (30 grams) decocted and taken daily. (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
ii. Ardisia with Stemona Bai Bu, Mulberry root-bark (Sang Bai Pi), Blettilla Bai Ji
5. Jaundice, Ardisia with Artemisia Yin Chen Hao, Gardenia Zhi Zi
6. Edema, Ardisia with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi), Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
7. Pain and swelling from Trauma, Ardisia with Safflower (Hong Hua), Myrrh (Mo Yao)
8. Amenorrhea or Dysmenorrhea, Ardisia with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Chinese Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)

Major Formulas:

Xiao Chuan Chong Ji