Fructus Kaki
Aliases：Zhuguo (Vermilion Fruit); Zhentoujia.
Shizi (Persimmon) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the fruit of Diospyros kaki Thunb., a plant in the family Ebenaceae. It is an authenticated variety of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Terminology Standardization and Promotion Project. It is recorded in Records of Famous Physicians (Mingyi Bielu), Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), Chinese Materia Medica (Zhonghua Bencao), and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears Heat, moistens the Lungs, promotes fluid production, and removes toxin.
Indications
Cough; hematemesis (vomiting of blood); heat thirst; mouth sores; heat dysentery; hematochezia (blood in stool).
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that persimmon (fruit) possesses the following significant pharmacological activities: Antioxidant effect: The polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids in persimmon possess significant antioxidant activity, capable of scavenging free radicals and preventing the occurrence of various diseases. Hemostatic effect: Persimmon possesses hemostatic activity and is traditionally used for bleeding conditions such as hematemesis and hematochezia. Antibacterial effect: The phenolic compounds in persimmon possess antibacterial activity. Hypotensive effect: Persimmon possesses hypotensive activity and can be used as an adjunctive treatment for hypertension. Antitumor effect: The natural constituents in persimmon possess antitumor and anticancer activities. Hypolipidemic effect: Persimmon possesses hypolipidemic activity. Iodine supplementation: Fresh persimmon contains 49.7 mg% of iodine (49.7 mg per 100 g) and can be used as an adjunctive treatment for endemic goiter. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from modern experimental studies on persimmon fruit extracts and constituents such as polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids. Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on persimmon is still ongoing. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
Persimmon (fruit) mainly contains the following active constituents: Sugars: sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Tannins: unripe fruits contain tannins, mainly composed of leucoanthocyanins. Amino acids: citrulline. Trace elements: fresh persimmon contains 49.7 mg% of iodine (49.7 mg per 100 g). Polyphenols: persimmon is rich in polyphenolic compounds and possesses antioxidant activity. Tannins: persimmon has a relatively high tannin content and possesses astringent and antibacterial activities. Flavonoids: persimmon contains flavonoid constituents. Note: The natural constituents in persimmon possess antioxidant activity, and their health-promoting value and medicinal activity have considerable research value.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Appropriate amount, consumed as food; or decocted in water; or burned into charcoal and ground into powder; or, when unripe, pounded to extract the juice and taken mixed with water.
Contraindications
Fresh persimmon is contraindicated in individuals with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, internal exuberance of Phlegm-Dampness, externally contracted cough, Spleen deficiency diarrhea, malaria, and similar conditions. It should not be consumed together with crab, as this causes abdominal pain and severe diarrhea (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica, Bencao Tujing). It should not be eaten on an empty stomach, nor should it be eaten together with octopus, kelp, sweet potato, or similar foods. Persimmon Frost is contraindicated in individuals with wind-cold cough.
Selected Formulas
For endemic goiter (Jiangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take unripe persimmon, crush to extract juice, and take orally. For tung oil poisoning (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 2–3 persimmons or dried persimmon cakes orally. For chronic bronchitis (dietary formula) Take 5 good-quality dried persimmon cakes and cut into thin strips. Rinse 150g of japonica rice and soak in water for 30 minutes. Put both into a cooking pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer into congee. Add white sugar or honey to taste. Eat as a side dish. Actions: strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea. Effective for chronic diarrhea and deficiency dysentery, weak stomach with poor appetite, infantile spleen-deficiency diarrhea, and chronic enteritis.
Medicinal Parts
Fruit. Harvested between Frost's Descent and the Beginning of Winter, and consumed after de-astringency and ripening. Appendix: Other Medicinal Parts of the Persimmon Tree Persimmon Calyx (Persistent Calyx) The dried persistent calyx of the persimmon. Bitter and astringent in flavor, neutral in nature, enters the Stomach Channel. Actions: Redirects Qi downward and stops hiccups. Indications: Various types of hiccups. Dosage and Administration: Oral decoction, 5–10 g; or in powders. External use: ground into powder and sprinkled. Precautions: Contraindicated in individuals with Qi deficiency and sinking. Chemical Constituents: Contains tannins, hydroxy triterpene acids, glucose, fructose, neutral fatty oils, and others. Pharmacological Effects: Sedative, anticonvulsant, antiarrhythmic, and other effects. Storage: Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from insects. Persimmon Leaf The leaf of the persimmon tree. Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, enters the Lung Channel. Actions: Relieves cough and calms asthma, promotes fluid production and relieves thirst, activates Blood circulation and stops bleeding. Indications: Cough and asthma, consumptive thirst, various internal hemorrhages, and chronic leg ulcers (ecthyma). Dosage and Administration: Oral decoction, 3–9 g; or brewed as tea. External use: appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied. Precautions: Not suitable for individuals with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold. Chemical Constituents: Mainly contains flavonoids, terpenoids, naphthoquinones and naphthols, coumarins, sterols, organic acids, fatty acids, volatile oils, and other constituents. Pharmacological Effects: Include hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, hemostatic, and lipid-regulating effects. Modern Applications: Used in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medicines (such as Xinnao Liantong Capsules and Nao Xin Qing Capsules) and gynecological medicines. Persimmon Frost (Dried Persimmon Frost) The white powdery frost that forms on the surface of dried persimmons when the fruit is processed into dried persimmons. Sweet in flavor, cool in nature, enters the Heart and Lung Channels. Actions: Clears Heat, moistens the Lungs, and resolves Phlegm. Indications: Dry cough due to Lung Heat, dry and sore throat, mouth and tongue sores, hematemesis, hemoptysis, and consumptive thirst. Dosage and Administration: Oral use 3–9 g. Precautions: Contraindicated in wind-cold cough. Storage: Sealed, store in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and insects. Persimmon Peel The unripe green peel of the persimmon. Sweet and astringent in flavor, cold in nature. Actions: Clears Heat and removes toxin. Indications: Furuncles and unnamed toxic swellings. Usage: Remove the unripe persimmon, peel off the exocarp, and apply it topically to the affected area. Persimmon Root Bitter and astringent in flavor, cool in nature. Actions: Clears Heat and cools Blood. Indications: Hematemesis, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and bloody dysentery.
Selection & Storage
Fresh persimmon: After de-astringency and ripening, persimmons should be consumed promptly or refrigerated for short-term storage. Dried persimmon: Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Persimmon Calyx: Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from insects. Persimmon Leaf: Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Persimmon Frost: Keep sealed in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and insects.
