Corni Fructus
Aliases：Sichuan Jujube-like Fruit、Rat-dropping-like Fruit、Chicken-foot-like Fruit、Corni Fructus Pulp、Jujube-like Fruit、Fleshy Date、Jujube-like Peel、Corni Pulp、Medicinal Jujube
Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried ripe sarcotesta (fleshy fruit pulp) of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. (family Cornaceae). The original plant is distributed in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Shandong, Jiangsu, and other provinces of China.
Efficacy & Actions
Corni Fructus has the functions of tonifying and nourishing the Liver and Kidney, and astringing and securing collapse.
Indications
Corni Fructus is mainly used to treat two major categories of patterns: Liver and Kidney Deficiency patterns and Debility with Collapse patterns. 1. Liver and Kidney Deficiency patterns: Corni Fructus is adept at tonifying and nourishing the Liver and Kidney. It is indicated for various symptoms caused by insufficiency of the Liver and Kidney, such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, impotence, as well as internal heat with wasting thirst disorder due to Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency. 2. Debility with Collapse patterns: Corni Fructus has the effect of astringing and securing collapse. It is often used for collapse conditions that fail to be secured, including spermatorrhea, seminal emission, enuresis, frequent urination, as well as incessant profuse sweating with debility and impending collapse. In gynecology, it is also indicated for flooding and spotting, menorrhagia, and incessant vaginal discharge.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have found that Corni Fructus has the effects of lowering blood glucose, antiarrhythmia, and immunomodulation, among others.
Ingredients
Corni Fructus mainly contains the following constituents: Iridoid glycosides: loganin, cornuside, morroniside, 7-O-methylmorroniside, sweroside, cornin. Triterpenoids: ursolic acid, etc. Lectins: 7-dehydrologanin. Tannins: cornusiin 1, 2, 3; cornusiin A–G; eugeniin; geum tannin D; 2,3-di-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose; camptothanin A, B; 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose; and gallic acid. Volatile oil.
Usage & Dosage
The conventional usage of Corni Fructus is decoction, with a recommended dosage of 6–12 g. It may also be used in pills or powders. It should be noted that due to variations in each patient’s condition, constitution, age, and other factors, the specific dosage of Corni Fructus may vary individually. Patients should strictly follow the dosage prescribed by their physician.
Contraindications
1. Incompatibility with other Chinese medicinals Corni Fructus is incompatible with Platycodon grandiflorum (Jiegeng), Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), and Stephania tetrandra (Fangji). 2. Incompatibility with Western medications (1) It should not be used concurrently with sulfonamides, as this may cause crystallization in the urine, leading to crystalluria and hematuria. (2) It should not be used concurrently with aminoglycosides (e.g., streptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, etc.), as this may reduce their therapeutic efficacy. (3) It should not be used concurrently with alkaline drugs such as aluminum hydroxide and aminophylline, as neutralization reactions may occur, thereby reducing or abolishing the efficacy. (4) It should not be used concurrently with nitrofurantoin, rifampicin, aspirin, indomethacin, etc., as this may increase nephrotoxicity (toxicity to the kidneys).
Selected Formulas
1. Kidney Qi Pill from Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber (Jinkui Yaolue) 2. Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill from Key to Therapeutics of Children‘s Diseases (Xiao'er Yaozheng Zhijue) 3. Restore the Right [Kidney] Pill from The Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue (Jingyue Quanshu)
Daily Consumption
1. Shanzhuyu, Walnut, and Pork Kidney (from Chinese Medicinal Diet) Ingredients: 10 g Shanzhuyu (Cornus fruit), 15 g walnut meat, 2 pork kidneys. Preparation: Split the kidneys, remove the white ureter tissue, and rinse thoroughly. Stuff the Shanzhuyu and walnut meat into the kidneys, secure the openings, then cook until fully done. Usage: Eat warm. Action: Tonify the kidney and astringe essence. Suitable for kidney‑deficiency low back pain, spermatorrhea, and related conditions. 2. Yam and Shanzhuyu Congee (from Dietary Self‑Care for Various Diseases) Ingredients: 60 g yam (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), 20 g Shanzhuyu, 100 g Japonica rice. Preparation: Decoct the yam and Shanzhuyu in water to obtain a concentrated liquid. Use this liquid to cook congee with the rice. Action: Nourish yin and stabilize kidney qi. Indicated for lower wasting thirst disorder (Xiaoke, similar to renal diabetes), characterized by frequent large volumes of turbid, fatty‑like urine, dry mouth and tongue, and sweet‑tasting urine. 3. Rehmannia Stewed Quail Eggs (from Chinese Medicinal Dietetics) Ingredients: 20 g prepared Rehmannia root (Shudihuang), 30 g goji berries, 30 g Shanzhuyu, 30 g Chinese yam (Huaishanyao), 20 quail eggs, seasonings to taste. Preparation: Cook the quail eggs until they are about 80% done, then remove the shells. Place the shelled eggs together with the Rehmannia root, yam, goji berries, Shanzhuyu, and seasonings in a clay pot. Add sufficient water and simmer for about 15 minutes. Usage: Eat 2 eggs in the morning and 2 in the evening each day. Action: Nourish the liver and kidney. Suitable for liver‑kidney deficiency pattern.
Medicinal Parts
pulp
Selection & Storage
General dried pulp (raw) : Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, protected from moisture and insects. Processed products (e.g., wine‑processed, salt‑processed) : Store in a dry, airtight container in a cool, dry place, protected from mold and insects.