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Cornus, Shan Zhu Yu 山茱萸

Asciatica Cornelian Cherry; Shan Zhu Yu (TCM)
Addisonia, 1918

Cornus Shan Zhu Yu fruit
Botanical name:
Cornus officinalis
The fruit of the Western Cornelian Cherry, C. mas, has been used similarly. It was listed as a astringent by Dioscorides for Diarrhea and Dysentery. In addition, the Flora of China states that C. mas is grown medicinally in China.

Parts used:
Fruit

Temperature & Taste:
Slightly Warm, dry. Sour

Classifications:
2O. ASTRINGENTS
TCM:
R. Astringents

Uses:
1. Stabilises the Kidneys, Astringes the Essence:
-Frequent Urination, Incontinence
-Spermatorrhea, Premature Ejaculation, Leukorrhea
-Lower Back pain from Kidney weakness
-excess Sweating from Kidney or Yin deficiency

2. Astringes to Stop Sweating:
-excess Sweating from Qi or Yang deficiency

3. Tonifies Liver and Kidneys:
-secures Liver Yin to stop formation of Internal (Liver) Wind
-light-headedness, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus
-weakness of the Lower Back and Knees
-Impotence
-tonifies Yang, supports the Yin and astringes the Essence.

4. Stabilises Menstruation, Stops Bleeding:
-prolonged or excessive Menstruation from deficiency


DOSE:
6–12 grams in Decoction
1 ½–4 grams in Powder

Main Combinations:
1. Cornus Shan Zhu Yu is often combined with Dioscorea Shan Yao and Rehmannia Shu Di Huang. This trio forms the basis of the most important formulas used to strengthen the Kidneys. Alone, they nourish Kidney Yin and are usually corrected with the addition of Poria Fu Ling, Alisma Ze Xie and Paeonia Mu Dan Pi (as in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, 'Rehmannia 6'). When combined with Cinnamon (Rou Gui) and Aconitum Fu Zi, it is called Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) and is used for Yang deficiency.
2. Kidney Yin and Yang deficiency, with Spermatorrhea, Palpitations, shortness of Breath, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Schisandra Wu Wei Zi.
3. Impotence, Urinary frequency, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Eucommia Du Zhong and Cuscuta Tu Si Zi.
4. Excessive sweating from Qi or Yang deficiency Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Codonopsis Dang Shen and Astragalus Huang Qi.
5. Spontaneous Sweating, Night Sweats, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Zizyphus Suan Zao Ren, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Astragalus Huang Qi
6. Nightsweats from Yin deficiency:
i. Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Dang Gui and Rehmannia Shu Di Huang.
ii. Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Fossil Bones (Long Gu), Oyster Shell (Mu Li)
7. Hypertension from Liver and Kidney deficiency, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Eucommia Du Zhong and Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng)
8. Heavy or prolonged Menstruation from Heat and deficiency, with dark, thick blood, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Paeonia Bai Shao and Ass Hide Gelatin (E Jiao).
9. Profuse pale, thin menstrual bleeding, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Cuttlebone and Madder
10. Spermatorrhea, weakness and pain of the Lower Back, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu with Cistanche Rou Cong Rong, Cuscuta Tu Si Zi and Schisandra Wu Wei Zi.

Major Formulas:
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
Shen Qi Wan, Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
You Gui Wan
You Gui Yin
Zuo Gui Yin


Cautions:
1. Not used in Damp-heat urinary conditions
2. Cornus Shan Zhu Yu is considered incompatible with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong and Asarum Xi Xin.

Main Preparations used: