Home
Articles
Q&A

Can Psoralea be used as a substitute for Cornus officinalis?

Mar 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
In general, Psoralea (Bu Gu Zhi) cannot replace Cornus officinalis (Shan Zhu Yu). Psoralea is warm in nature and enters the kidney meridian, possessing functions including nourishing the kidneys to strengthen yang, consolidating essence to reduce spermatorrhea, warming the spleen to relieve diarrhea. On the other hand, Cornus officinalis is slightly warm in nature and primarily functions to nourish the liver and kidneys and to astringe and consolidate. Although both Psoralea and Cornus officinalis have certain kidney-nourishing effects in traditional Chinese medicine, their main focuses and applications differ.

Generally speaking, Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi) cannot replace Cornus officinalis (Shan Zhu Yu). The detailed analysis is as follows:

Psoralea corylifolia and Cornus officinalis are two distinct traditional Chinese medicines, each possessing unique medicinal properties and functions. Psoralea corylifolia is warm in nature and enters the kidney meridian, exerting effects such as reinforcing kidney yang, consolidating essence and reducing urine, warming the spleen and stopping diarrhea. In contrast, Cornus officinalis is slightly warm in nature and primarily functions to nourish the liver and kidneys and to astringe and consolidate body fluids. Although both herbs have certain kidney-nourishing effects in traditional Chinese medicine, their primary functions and applications differ. Therefore, Psoralea corylifolia cannot fully substitute for Cornus officinalis.

When using traditional Chinese medicines such as Psoralea corylifolia or Cornus officinalis, it is recommended to follow the advice and guidance of a physician. The prescription should be adjusted according to the patient's specific condition and constitution, including herb combinations and dosages, to achieve optimal therapeutic effects. Additionally, patients should maintain a balanced diet and engage in appropriate physical activity to maintain good overall health.

During the use of herbal medicines, it is important to monitor the body's response and follow medical instructions to adjust lifestyle and dietary habits, thus promoting recovery from illness.

References

[1] Effects and functions of Cornus officinalis [J]. Forestry and Ecology, 2017, (03):26.

[2] Wang Bing, Wang Youfeng, Li Jing, et al. Optimization of ethanol extraction process for Psoralea corylifolia and Salvia miltiorrhiza in the kidney-nourishing and blood-activating granules by orthogonal method [J]. Shandong Science, 2016, 29(06):45-49.

Related Articles

View All
What Chinese herbal medicine can make the nucleus pulposus smaller?
Currently, there is no evidence that taking any traditional Chinese medicine can shrink the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus usually cannot be reduced in size through medication. However, patients may use certain traditional Chinese medicines—such as Chuan Shan Long (Dioscorea nipponica), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea corylifolia), Xue Jie (Dragon's Blood), Ru Xiang (Frankincense), and Mo Yao (Myrrh)—to help alleviate symptoms caused by nerve compression due to the nucleus pulposus. It is important to note that these medications should only be used under the guidance of a physician and must not be self-administered to avoid potential adverse reactions.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Ziyi
View Full Answer
The Efficacy and Functions of Psoralea corylifolia and Its Methods of Consumption
Psoralea fruit is the mature fruit of the leguminous plant Psoralea corylifolia. It has a bitter taste and warm nature, and enters the spleen and kidney meridians. It functions to warm the yang of the spleen and kidneys, consolidate the spleen to stop bleeding, and enhance qi to relieve asthma. It is usually decocted in water for oral administration, or can be crushed and made into pills. It is used to treat sexual dysfunction or even impotence caused by kidney yang deficiency, as well as symptoms such as cold pain in the lower back and knees, and cold sensation in the lower abdomen. It can be combined with Eucommia, walnut kernel, Aconite, Duzhong, and other herbs.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Lihui
View Full Answer
What is Jianpi Yishen Granule?
The main ingredients of Jianpi Yishen Granules include traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Codonopsis pilosula, Lycium barbarum, Ligustrum lucidum, Atractylodes macrocephala, Cuscuta chinensis, and Psoralea corylifolia. This formulation functions to strengthen the spleen and benefit the kidneys, enhance immune function, and alleviate adverse reactions caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is primarily indicated for treating symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, and soreness in the lower back and knees due to deficiency of both the spleen and kidneys. It can also help reduce side effects induced by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer patients.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
View Full Answer
Can Yishen Wufa Oral Liquid treat gray hair?
Yishen Wufa Oral Liquid is a traditional Chinese medicine composed of a combination of herbal ingredients including Polygonum multiflorum, Lycium barbarum, Poria, Achyranthes root, Angelica sinensis, Psoralea corylifolia, and others. Premature graying of hair is caused by deficiency of both the liver and kidney systems. Yishen Wufa Oral Liquid functions to darken hair and nourish the liver and kidneys, and is primarily used for premature graying and hair loss due to liver and kidney deficiency.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Ziyi
View Full Answer
Can Shenbao Tablets treat kidney yang deficiency?
In general, Shenbao Pills can help to nourish kidney yang deficiency, but the specific effects may vary from person to person. Shenbao Pills are a type of traditional Chinese medicine, primarily composed of several herbal ingredients including Trigonella foenum-graecum (Hu Lubat), Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Di Huang), Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi), processed Polygonum multiflorum (Zhi He Shou Wu), and Cistanche deserticola (Rou Cong Rong). This formulation possesses functions of harmonizing yin and yang, warming and invigorating kidney yang, and strengthening the body's resistance. It can be used for the treatment of symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the waist and knees, and mental depression caused by kidney yang deficiency.
avatar
Dr. Yang Guang
View Full Answer
Can Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi) be steeped in water for consumption?
Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi) can be consumed as a tea, but it is important to follow the correct usage and dosage. Psoralea corylifolia is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb that functions to nourish the kidneys, support yang energy, consolidate essence, reduce urinary frequency, warm the spleen, and stop diarrhea. It is often used to treat symptoms such as kidney yang deficiency, cold pain in the lower back and knees, impotence, premature ejaculation, enuresis, frequent urination, spleen and kidney yang deficiency, and diarrhea occurring at dawn. The appropriate dosage for consuming Psoralea corylifolia as a tea should be determined according to individual constitution and specific symptoms.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
View Full Answer
Can Psoralea be combined with cooked Rehmannia?
When Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi) and Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Di Huang) are used together to regulate symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency or liver-kidney insufficiency, their combination may produce a synergistic effect. Psoralea corylifolia warms and tonifies kidney yang, and stabilizes essence and reduces urine, whereas Rehmannia glutinosa primarily nourishes yin and enriches blood. Together, these two herbs can improve symptoms such as weakness and soreness of the lower back and knees, cold intolerance, and aversion to cold by simultaneously replenishing both yin and yang.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
View Full Answer
Can Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi) be combined with processed Aconitum carmichaelii (Hei Shun Pian)?
Psoralea fruit (Bu Gu Zhi) is primarily used to treat symptoms such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, seminal emission, and premature ejaculation caused by kidney-yang deficiency. On the other hand, Black Prepared Aconite Root (Hei Shun Pian) is commonly used for cold-damp bi syndrome with pain, cold abdominal pain, and other related symptoms. When a patient presents simultaneously with symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency and cold-dampness, Psoralea fruit and Black Prepared Aconite Root can be used together to warm and tonify kidney-yang, dispel cold, and eliminate dampness. This should be done under the guidance of a TCM physician, based on the patient's specific constitution and condition.
avatar
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
View Full Answer
彩牛养生

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.