Ligustrum, Glossy Privet Fruit, Nu Zhen Zi 女贞子
Glossy PrivetNu Zhen Zi (TCM)

Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 52 (1825)

(Photo by SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Ligustrum lucidum; L. thibeticum is also used.
Parts used:
Fruit
Temperature & Taste:
Cool. Bitter, Sweet
Classification:
N. Yin Tonic
Uses:
1. Nourish and Strengthen the Liver and Kidney:
-Dizziness, Vertigo, Tinnitus
-Lower Back pain and weakness
-premature Greying of hair
-‘Long-term use makes one put on weight, feel happy and vigourous, and remain young-looking’. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
2. Benefits the Eyes:
-Floaters, Poor eyesight, Failing Vision, especially in the elderly due to Liver and Kidney weakness
-the juice has been applied directly to the eyes fro Wind-Heat conjunctivitis (Ji Ji Xian Fang [Immortal’s Prescriptions for Emergency])
-‘turns graying hair black and brightens the eye’ (Li Shi Zhen)
3. Clears Deficient Heat:
-Heat from Yin deficiency
-Tuberculosis; Scrofula
Dose:
Powder: 1–4 grams
Preparation:
… available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
1. Sore and Weakness of the Lower Back, Dizziness:
i. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
ii. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
2. Deficient Heat, Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
3. To strengthen the Eyesight and improve Vision, Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
4. Sore, red eyes:
i. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
ii. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
5. Premature greying of Hair:
i. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
ii. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
6. Nourish the Blood and Yin:
i. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
ii. Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
7. Scrofula, Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi with … available in PRO version
Cautions:
Not for Diarrhea from Cold and Weakness of the Stomach