Ligustrum - Nu Zhen Zi

Products Featuring This Herb:
Ligustrum Fruit Extract Powder 100 grams
Ligustrum Fruit Extract Powder 5 kilograms
Microcosmic Orbit
Yin Replenisher Drops

Other Common Names
Ligustrum

Page # In Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs
190

Latin Name
Fructus Ligustri lucidum

Pinyin
Nu Zhen Zi

Treasures
Yin Jing

Treasure Rating
****

Atmospheric Energy
Cool

Taste
Bitter and Sweet

Organ Meridian Systems
Kidney and Liver

Primary Functions
Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin, enhances immune functions, clears heat, brightens the eyes

Qualities
Ligustrum is a Yin Kidney tonic which is said by the Chinese to prolong life. It has been found to be a significant immune enhancing agent. It is also used as a blood tonic.

Ligustrum is a very good Yin essence tonic. It’s action is very similar to that of Polygonum, except that it is a cool herb. It is used for all the same purposes as Polygonum, including blackening the hair or preventing premature graying. Therefore it is considered to be an antiaging, rejuvenative herb. It strengthens the back and relieves soreness in the lower back and knees and helps relieve aching in other joints. It is said to improve hearing and sharpen vision.

Ligustrum has gained quite a reputation in the past decade due to the discovery that it has powerful immune enhancing effects. In a study done in the United States, supported by the National Institutes of Health, it was found to prevent break down of the immune system when cancer patients were given chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Subsequent studies around the world have supported this action. It is now used clinically for this purpose in Japan and China.

Preparation and Utilization
It may be used in Kidney and Liver tonics.

Primary Combinations
Combine with:
Goji Berries, Polygonum or Rehmannia (steamed) to build blood, to tonify Kidney yin and to prevent premature aging
Goji, Raw Rehmannia and Moutan for deficient yin and heat
Astragalus, Ganoderma and Gynostemma to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Large doses are more effective in building/protecting the immune system

Varieties and Grading
All Ligustrum sold in the United States is of approximately equivalent quality and is generally quite good.

Contraindications
Do not use when you have diarrhea due to cold. In cases of Yang deficiency it is often better to use Polygonum.