Can I eat cornus fruit (Cornus officinalis) for a bitter taste in the mouth?

Apr 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Whether bitter taste in the mouth can be treated with Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) depends on the specific cause of the bitterness. If the bitter taste is caused by liver blood deficiency, it can generally be taken under the guidance of a physician. However, if it is caused by other factors, taking Cornus officinalis is not recommended. It is advisable to consult a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner before using Cornus officinalis, to avoid self-medication and ensure its effectiveness and safety.

Whether or not one can take Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) for a bitter taste in the mouth depends on the specific cause of the bitterness. If the bitter taste is caused by liver blood deficiency, it can generally be taken under the guidance of a physician. However, if the bitterness originates from other causes, Cornus officinalis is usually not recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the bitter taste in the mouth is due to liver blood deficiency accompanied by symptoms such as sore throat and swollen tonsils (bitter taste and dryness in the mouth), Cornus officinalis, as a traditional Chinese herb, has functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys, consolidating essence, and arresting discharges. It can help regulate the liver and gallbladder, strengthen the spleen, and improve stomach function. Appropriate usage might alleviate these symptoms. Prior to use, consultation with a TCM practitioner is advised to ensure that Cornus officinalis suits the individual's body constitution and to understand the correct dosage and method of administration.

However, if the bitter taste in the mouth is caused by other factors such as damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, excessive stomach fire, or excessive heart fire, taking Cornus officinalis alone may not effectively address the issue. In such cases, treatment should target the specific underlying cause, which may include the use of herbal formulas such as Longdan Xiegan Wan (Dragon胆Liver Bitter Pill), Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules, or other TCM treatments such as acupuncture.

Prior to using Cornus officinalis, it is recommended to consult a qualified TCM practitioner to avoid self-medicating blindly, thus ensuring both its efficacy and safety.

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What causes a bitter taste in the mouth?

Bitter taste in the mouth may be caused by factors such as imbalance of the oral environment, emotional and neurological regulation, gastrointestinal motility disorders, abnormal liver and gallbladder metabolism, or medication effects. It is recommended to maintain a daily water intake of more than 1500 ml, consume moderate amounts of hawthorn and dried tangerine peel to aid digestion, and avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption. If bitter taste persists for over a week or is accompanied by abdominal pain, jaundice, or significant weight loss, you should visit a gastroenterology or dental clinic for further evaluation, including gastroscopy.