Ligustri Lucidi Fructus
Aliases：Dōng Qīng Zǐ (Wintergreen Seed); Nǚ Zhēn Shí (Female Virtue Fruit); Bái Là Shù Zǐ (White Wax Tree Seed); Shǔ Zǐ Zǐ (Mouse Jujube Seed); Bào Gé Zǎo (Exploding Flea).
Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ (Ligustrum Lucidum Fruit) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is a yin-tonifying medicinal material and is the ripe fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., a plant of the Oleaceae family.
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies the liver and kidney, brightens the eyes, and darkens the hair.
Indications
Used for dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, premature greying of hair, blurred vision, internal heat with wasting-thirst disorder, and bone-steaming tidal fever due to liver and kidney yin deficiency.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-osteoporotic Effect: Nüzhenzi exerts anti-osteoporotic effects through multi-component synergistic activation of the BMP/Smad pathway, upregulating BMP-6, Smad4, and Hepcidin expression, thereby systematically repairing iron and bone metabolism. The Nüzhenzi-Gouqizi (Goji Berry) herb pair improves osteoporosis by regulating vitamin D metabolism. Hypoglycemic and Lipid-lowering Effects: Exhibits blood sugar-lowering and lipid-lowering effects. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Antitumor Effect: Exhibits antitumor activity. Immunomodulatory and Hepatoprotective Effects: Has immunomodulatory and liver-protective effects. Anti-aging Effect: Has anti-aging and anti-fatigue effects. Sex Hormone-like Effects: Exhibits sex hormone-like effects.
Ingredients
Terpenoids: Oleanolic acid, acetyloleanolic acid, ursolic acid, acetylursolic acid, lupeol, betulin, etc. Iridoid glycosides: Ligustroside, specnuezhenide, oleuropein, 10-hydroxyoleuropein, ligustrifolioside, etc. Phenylethanoid glycosides: Salidroside, etc. Flavonoids: Luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, quercitrin, quercetin, eriodictyol, etc. Fatty acids: Palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, etc. Other constituents: Volatile oils, phospholipids, β-sitosterol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 6–12g; or prepared in pills. Larger doses up to 15g may be used. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, prepared as an ointment for eye application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Nüzhenzi is cool in nature and may promote diarrhea; it is not suitable for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold and diarrhea. Not suitable for single, long-term, or high-dose use in patients with external wind-cold or internal cold-dampness injury. Not suitable for single, long-term, or high-dose use in patients with kidney yang deficiency. Not suitable for long-term, high-dose use in patients with hypotension: This herb has a hypotensive effect. Not suitable for long-term use in diabetic patients: It contains glucose. Should not be used with alkaline drugs (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, aminophylline): May cause neutralization, reduce efficacy, and potentially impair kidney function. Contraindicated during pregnancy: Its blood-moving effect may cause miscarriage.
Selected Formulas
Er Zhi Wan (Two-Ultimate Pill, from Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng) Ingredients: Nüzhenzi (Ligustrum Lucidum Fruit) and Eclipta Herb (Hàn Lián Cǎo). Efficacy: Tonifies the liver and kidney, nourishes yin, and stops bleeding. Indications: Dizziness, soreness of the lower back and knees, premature greying of hair, blurred vision due to liver and kidney yin deficiency, and bleeding disorders such as metrorrhagia. Nüzhenzi with Eclipta Herb and Mulberry Fruit Ingredients: Nüzhenzi, Eclipta Herb, and Mulberry Fruit (Sāng Shèn Zǐ), 15–30g each. Efficacy: Tonifies the liver and kidney, and darkens the hair. Indications: Neurasthenia, dizziness, insomnia, forgetfulness, and premature greying of hair due to liver and kidney deficiency. Nüzhenzi Wine Ingredients: 120g Nüzhenzi (chopped), 150g sweetener (e.g., honey, rock sugar, or sugar). Efficacy: Tonifies the liver and kidney. Usage: Steep in wine and drink in moderation.
Daily Consumption
Nüzhenzi Infusion: Take 5–10g of Nüzhenzi, steep in boiling water for 10–15 minutes, and drink. It can be re-steeped until the flavor fades. The recommended daily dosage is 5–10g. Nüzhenzi Congee: Place 5–10g of Nüzhenzi in a gauze bag. Cook with 100g of polished rice and water to make congee. Helps delay aging, invigorate yang, and strengthen the body. Nüzhenzi, Goji Berry, and Lean Pork Soup: Combine 30g of Nüzhenzi, 15g of Goji Berries (Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ), 5 red dates, and 250g of lean pork. Stew with water to make a soup. Nourishes the liver and kidney, suitable for chronic hepatitis with liver-kidney yin deficiency. Nüzhenzi, Goji Berry, and Pseudostellaria Tea: Take 10g each of Nüzhenzi, Goji Berries, and Pseudostellaria Root (Tài Zǐ Shēn), and 15g of Caulis Spatholobi (Jī Xuè Téng). Steep in boiling water and drink as tea. Tonifies the liver and kidney, nourishes blood, and strengthens the foundation.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from moisture.