Stabilize and bind
Shan Zhu Yu
山茱萸
Cornus fruit
Cornus officinalis
Astringes and supports liver and kidney yin.
Not for self-dosing. This page is not a formula, not a strength, and not a substitute for a licensed herbalist or physician.
Category
Warm · Sour
Meridians entered
Traditional uses
Dogwood fruit. A pillar of the six-ingredient rehmannia lesson. Used for a weak low back and a thin yin picture. “Holding essence” is sometimes discussed beside erectile difficulty and urinary leaking in the traditional sense. Astringent means it holds; it should not be used to trap an acute infection, and it is not a treatment for ED.
Common pairings
- Shu Di Huang 熟地黄
The yin pair at the center of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
- Wu Wei Zi 五味子
Two sour holders. Easy to make a formula too binding.
Cautions
Not for self-dosing. Not appropriate when damp-heat or an acute urinary infection is the real problem. Care in pregnancy.