Can Chinese dogwood (Cornus officinalis) be used for vertical ridges on fingernails?

Generally speaking, using Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) may have some beneficial effects on vertical ridges in fingernails, but its efficacy is limited and should be used under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Cornus officinalis is a common traditional Chinese herb that may help improve vertical ridges in fingernails due to its function of nourishing yin, supporting yang, and enriching blood. The appearance of vertical nail ridges is sometimes associated with factors such as blood deficiency, malnutrition, and related conditions. Cornus officinalis can nourish blood and yin, thus potentially helping alleviate these symptoms. Before using Cornus officinalis, it is recommended to consult a professional TCM practitioner to ensure safe medication use.

Although Cornus officinalis may provide some improvement for vertical nail ridges, it should not be solely relied upon to resolve the issue completely. If the vertical ridges are caused by other factors, such as fungal infection, trauma, or malnutrition, then using Cornus officinalis alone may not achieve the desired therapeutic effect and could even delay treatment. In such cases, appropriate treatments targeting the specific underlying cause should be undertaken under medical supervision.

In daily life, it is advisable to avoid prolonged use of electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones, and to protect the hands from injury.