Can Cornus officinalis be taken for damp-heat in the lower jiao?

Shanzhuyu (Cornus officinalis) is generally not recommended for patients with damp-heat in the lower jiao. Patients are advised to use medication appropriately under a doctor's guidance.

As a traditional Chinese herb, Shanzhuyu is warm in nature with sour and astringent tastes, and it acts on the liver and kidney meridians. It is primarily used for symptoms such as kidney deficiency-related lower back pain, nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, enuresis, and frequent urination. However, for patients with damp-heat in the lower jiao, its use should be carefully considered. Patients presenting obvious symptoms of lower jiao damp-heat, such as yellow urine, bitter taste in the mouth, sticky and unpleasant bowel movements, yellow and greasy tongue coating, etc., should avoid taking Shanzhuyu, which is warm in nature, as it may exacerbate dampness and heat, thereby worsening the symptoms of damp-heat. Therefore, it is generally not advisable for such patients to consume it.

Damp-heat in the lower jiao is a syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine referring to damp-heat invading areas such as the lower jiao, the large intestine, or the bladder. Common clinical manifestations include painful and burning urination, urinary retention, foul-smelling and loose stools or constipation, lower abdominal pain, leukorrhea that is yellowish-white and foul-smelling, fever, and thirst. The main treatment principle is to clear heat and resolve dampness. Patients are often advised to avoid overly warm, hot, or greasy foods that may hinder the elimination of damp-heat. Instead, they should consume bland, easily digestible foods with heat-clearing and detoxifying effects.

In daily diet, patients should maintain a light diet and avoid excessive intake of oily and spicy foods to facilitate the elimination of damp-heat.