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Can Zizyphus seed, Cornus fruit, and Astragalus be used together?

Mar 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Zizyphus seed usually refers to the seed of the sour jujube (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa). In general, it is acceptable to use sour jujube seed, Cornus officinalis, and Astragalus membranaceus together, but they should be combined under the guidance of a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Sour jujube seed has a calming effect on the mind, Cornus officinalis nourishes the liver and kidneys while consolidating essence and reducing urination, and Astragalus membranaceus benefits qi and strengthens the body's defensive barrier. When used together, these herbs can help treat symptoms such as mental restlessness, insomnia, and vivid dreams caused by deficiency of qi and blood.

　　Zizyphus seed usually refers to the seed of sour date (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa). In general, it is acceptable to use sour date seed, cornus fruit, and astragalus together, but they should be combined and used under the guidance of a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. The detailed explanation is as follows:

　　

　　Sour date seed, cornus fruit, and astragalus are all traditional Chinese medicinal materials, each having its own therapeutic value and effects. There are no obvious contraindications among them in combination. Sour date seed has a calming effect, cornus fruit can nourish the liver and kidney and help retain essence and reduce urination, while astragalus functions to replenish qi and strengthen the body's defensive system. When used together, these herbs can help treat symptoms such as mental restlessness, insomnia, and vivid dreams caused by deficiency of qi and blood.

　　Although these three herbs can be used together, they are not suitable for everyone. Astragalus is warm in nature, and sour date seed and cornus fruit also have warming and nourishing properties. If a patient already has symptoms of excess internal heat or damp-heat, such as dry mouth, sore tongue, or constipation, these three herbs should not be used simultaneously, as they may exacerbate internal heat and worsen the condition. Therefore, it is recommended to use these herbs rationally under the guidance of a TCM practitioner according to individual constitution.

　　When taking these Chinese herbal medicines, it is also important to avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods, as they may interfere with the effectiveness of the herbs.

　　References

　　[1] Qian J, Wang J, Li ZJ, et al. Exploring the protective effects of astragalus-cornus fruit on podocyte injury induced by high glucose based on the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway[J]. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae, 2024, 31(04): 606-611.

　　[2] Wang XH. Famous doctors' prescriptions: Yijing Xingyang Decoction[J]. Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022, 38(08): 35.

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