Glossy Privet Fruit: Benefits, Uses, Contraindications, and Precautions Explained

Glossy privet fruit is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the fruit of the glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), an evergreen tree, harvested when ripe in winter and dried in the sun. So what are the benefits and uses of glossy privet fruit? Who should not take it? What precautions are there?

1. Benefits and uses of glossy privet fruit

1. Protects and benefits the liver

Glossy privet fruit has high medicinal value and is very beneficial to the liver. It is often used to treat liver and kidney deficiency and can relieve the dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees that result from it. It can be taken together with rehmannia root, sweet wormwood, goji berry, and other medicinal herbs. Taken as a decoction, it can be used to treat steaming bone and consumptive fever.

2. Darkens hair and brightens eyes

Glossy privet fruit has the benefit of darkening the hair and brightening the eyes, but its medicinal effect is mild and slow, so it must be taken consistently over the long term to see results. It can be used to treat premature graying of hair and blurred vision caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency and insufficient blood supply to the brain. Take an appropriate amount of black sesame, figwort root, and false daisy and decoct them together to darken the hair. Take an appropriate amount of cassia seed, rehmannia root, and goji berry, steep them in water, and drink the liquid to brighten the eyes.

3. Lowers blood lipids

Clinical trials have shown that the oleanolic acid contained in glossy privet fruit can significantly lower blood lipid levels, reduce the content of lipid peroxides in serum, and lower the incidence of coronary artery sclerosis lesions.

4. Lowers blood sugar

The oleanolic acid contained in glossy privet fruit also has the benefit of lowering blood sugar. It helps prevent and treat diabetes and can also inhibit rises in blood sugar.

5. Improves immunity

Clinical trials have shown that glossy privet fruit has a significant effect on increasing T lymphocytes. It can enhance the activity of T lymphocytes and improve the body's immune capacity.

6. Relieves fatigue

The ligustroside contained in glossy privet fruit can relieve fatigue by promoting blood flow and speeding up metabolism.

2. Who should not take glossy privet fruit

1. People with kidney deficiency should not take it

Steeping glossy privet fruit in water and drinking it has many benefits, but “every medicine has some degree of toxicity”, so it must be taken at the right time and in the right amount, otherwise it can harm the body and produce the opposite of the desired effect. People with kidney deficiency who take glossy privet fruit may experience the adverse symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, so it is not recommended.

2. People with poor gastrointestinal function should not take it

Glossy privet fruit contains a small amount of mannitol, which can lubricate the intestines and is beneficial for people with constipation. However, for people with poor gastrointestinal function or spleen-stomach deficiency cold, it can cause the adverse symptoms of diarrhea and loose stools.

3. Pregnant women should not take it

Glossy privet fruit is a medicinal material. The use of medicines during pregnancy must strictly follow a doctor's advice to avoid harm to the pregnant woman and the fetus.

4. People with colds and fever should not take it

People with colds and fever who take glossy privet fruit while ill may worsen their condition, which is not conducive to recovery.

3. Dietary contraindications for glossy privet fruit

1. Take it in appropriate amounts

Glossy privet fruit is a common Chinese herbal medicine in daily life, commonly used to nourish yin and supplement yang, darken the hair, and brighten the eyes. Although it has many benefits, “every medicine has some degree of toxicity”, so long-term, large-dose use is not recommended. In addition, if during treatment with glossy privet fruit the condition has not been effectively relieved after more than two weeks, you should stop taking it and go to the hospital immediately; do not avoid seeking medical help.

2. Take it at the right time

It is best to take glossy privet fruit steeped in water after meals to reduce irritation to the stomach and intestines; otherwise it may irritate the stomach and intestines and cause adverse symptoms such as stomach pain and bloating. In addition, during treatment with glossy privet fruit, you should also pay attention to your diet and avoid spicy, irritating, and greasy foods, otherwise the medicinal effect will be affected.

4. How to take glossy privet fruit

1. Glossy privet fruit green tea

Take an appropriate amount of glossy privet fruit and crush it, then add green tea and green calyx plum blossoms and steep them in boiling water. It is then ready to drink.

2. Glossy privet fruit honey drink

Take several grams of glossy privet fruit, put it in a pot, add clean water, and simmer for half an hour. Strain and keep only the medicinal liquid, then add an appropriate amount of honey according to personal preference, stir well, and it is ready to drink.

3. Glossy privet fruit chrysanthemum tea

Take an appropriate amount of glossy privet fruit, chrysanthemum, and goji berry and steep them in water. Once the tea has cooled slightly, it is ready to drink.