Pinyin: Shanzhuyu
Aliases
Shuzao, Shanyurou, Rouzao, Hongzaopi.
Source
Plant of the family Cornaceae, Fructus Corni (Shanzhuyu)Cornus officinalisThe dried ripe pulp of Sieb.et Zucc.
Botanical Description
Deciduous shrub or small tree. Branches blackish-brown. Leaves opposite; petiole 0.6-1.2 cm long, with a shallow groove on the upper surface; leaf blade papery, ovate to elliptic, rarely ovate-lanceolate, 5-12 cm long, apex acuminate, base cuneate, upper surface sparsely appressed-hairy, lower surface more densely hairy; lateral veins 6-8 pairs, with yellowish-brown tufts of hair in the vein axils. Umbels appearing before leaves, axillary, with 4 small bracts at the base, bracts ovate-orbicular, brown; flowers yellow; calyx 4-lobed, lobes broadly triangular; petals 4, ovate; disk annular, fleshy; ovary inferior. Drupe ellipsoid, red when mature. Flowering period March to April, fruiting period September to October.
Habitat and Distribution
Born at forest edges or within forests at elevations of 400-1500 m. Distributed in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, and Hunan.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest the fruit when the pericarp turns red in late autumn and early winter, dry it with a gentle fire or briefly blanch in boiling water, promptly remove the pit, and then dry it.
Medicinal Properties
This product appears in irregular sheet-like or pouch-like shapes, 1-1.5 cm long and 0.5-1 cm wide. The surface is purplish-red to purplish-black, wrinkled, and glossy. Some specimens have a circular persistent calyx scar at the apex and a fruit stalk scar at the base. The texture is soft. Odor: faint; Taste: sour, astringent, and slightly bitter.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains loganin, sweroside, cornus tannins, and methyl eugenol and other components.
Pharmacology
Enhances immune system function; anti-inflammatory; anti-hemorrhagic shock; lowers blood sugar; inhibits platelet aggregation; improves cardiac function and hemodynamics; antibacterial; diuretic, etc.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sour, astringent, and slightly warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
Functions and Indications
Tonifies and benefits the Liver and Kidneys, astringes and secures against collapse
Dosage and Administration
Internal use: decoction, 5-10 g; or in pill or powder form.
Precautions and Contraindications
For those with intense Mingmen fire, chronic Damp-Heat, or painful and difficult urination (dysuria), this should be avoided.
Prescriptions
1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.
1. For polydipsia with constant drinking, followed by sudden cessation of thirst, frequent urination (dozens of times day and night), Qi deficiency, and muscle wasting (indicating kidney Qi failure in consumptive diabetes): Roucongrong (washed, sliced, soaked in wine, and roasted) , Wuweizi (stir-fried) , Shanzhuyu , and dried Shanyao , in equal parts. Grind into powder, form into pills with wine and flour paste (size of wutong seeds). Take 30 pills on an empty stomach with water. (from "Quansheng Zhimi Fang" Zhuyu Wan). 2. For five types of lower back pain, Wind-Cold in the lower burner, and weakness of the lower back and legs: Niuxi 30 g (without rootlets) , Shanzhuyu 30 g , and Guixin 0.9 g . Grind and sift into powder. Take 6 g before meals with warm wine. (from "Sheng Hui Fang"). 3. To boost primordial Yang, tonify primordial Qi, secure primordial essence, and strengthen the primordial spirit: Shanzhuyu (soaked in wine, meat only) 1 jin , Poguzhi (soaked in wine for one day, dried) 240 g , Danggui 120 g , and Shexiang 3 g . Grind into fine powder, form into pills with honey (size of wutong seeds). Take 81 pills before bed with wine or salted water. (from "Fu Shou Jing Fang" Cao Huan Dan). 4. For heart deficiency with palpitations: Longyanrou 30 g , Suanzaoren (stir-fried, crushed) 15 g , Shanzhuyu (without core) 15 g , Baiziren (stir-fried, crushed) 12 g , Sheng Longgu (crushed) 12 g , Sheng Muli (crushed) 12 g , Sheng Ming Ruxiang 3 g , and Sheng Ming Moyao 3 g . Decoct and take orally. (from "Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu" Ding Xin Tang).
