Source Cape Jasmine Fruit is the dried fruit of Gardeniae Jasminoides Ellis. (Fam. Rubiaceae) Gramineae.
Producing Areas Mainly produced in all provinces to the south of the Yangtze River. The best is from Hunan or Jiangxi.
Properties Bitter, Cold
Channels Heart, Lung, Triple Energiser
Action
- Clears heat and calms the spiritFor high fever, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, delirium, or chest constriction.
- Drains damp-heatFor damp-heat dysuria in the lower jiao, damp-heat jaundice in the liver and gallbladder, and damp-heat in the san jiao and gallbladder channels affecting the face, nose, and eyes.
- Cools the blood and stops bleedingFor epistaxis, vomiting blood, or blood in the stool or urine.
- Reduces swelling and moves blood stagnationCan be mixed with egg whites and vinegar and applied topically for trauma.
Usage and Dosage
3 – 10g is decocted for oral use. The crude is for clearing away fire, eliminating toxins, benefiting the gallbladder and relieving jaundice.
The carbonised is for clearing heat, relieving vexation, cooling the blood and stopping bleeding.
Notes Use with caution in those with deficiency of the spleen and cold in the stomach.
The covering of Zhizi tends to clear away heat from the exterior. The seed tends to clear away heat from the interior.
Storage
Keep in a dry, ventilated place. Protect from mould.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is reddish yellow in colour, full in shape, with thin covering.
Professional Advice
Shui Zhizi, Water Cape Jasmine Fruit (Gardeniae jasminoides Ellis var.), also called Big Cape Jasmine Fruit, has bigger fruits, 3 – 7cm long, with protruding ridges. It is used externally for trauma.
