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Gardenia fruit, Gardenia jasminoides. Botanical plate: Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.846 - Gardenia augusta - Kawahara Keiga - 1823 -
Plate: Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.846 - Gardenia augusta - Kawahara Keiga - 1823 - . Ishizaki Yūshi. Public domain.

Gardenia fruit

Gardenia jasminoides · 栀子

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called Zhi zi, Cape jasmine fruit, Cape jasmine, Gardenia fruit

Pinyin: Zhī zi

Spanish: Gardenia

Limited safety data

The dried fruit of a fragrant shrub, used in Chinese medicine to clear heat, ease restlessness and cool damp heat.

Did you know? Gardenia fruit makes a natural yellow food color, and Japanese cooks use it to color yellow pickles.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

  • Inflammation. Lab and animal studies show anti-inflammatory activity. Human trials are lacking.
    Traditional proof
  • Sleep. Used in tradition for restlessness and sleep trouble from heat. No human sleep trials exist.
    Traditional proof
  • Liver. Lab and animal studies suggest liver-protective effects. Human trials are lacking.
    Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Immune system, Joints, Brain & mind, Liver

Traditional use

Traditional Chinese Medicine has used gardenia fruit for heat with restlessness, insomnia from heat, and damp heat with yellow discharge. It is in many heat-clearing formulas, including Huang Lian Jie Du Tang and Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San.

How it is classified

Herbal actions
Anti-inflammatory, Hepatic, Bitter. Energy: cooling.
Chinese medicine
栀子 Clear heat. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter. Enters the Heart, Lung and San Jiao channels.

How people take it

Traditional doses are about 6 to 10 grams of dried fruit in a decoction. Human studies are few, and capsules should follow the label.

Decoction, capsule and tincture.

Where to get it

A shrub native to China, Japan and Southeast Asia, widely planted in gardens. The dried fruits are sold in herb shops and as capsules. Food colorings are made from the fruit.

Be careful

Large doses may cause stomach upset. Few human safety studies exist. Traditional texts warn against use with weak digestion or loose stools, and pregnancy data are lacking.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; loose stools.

Mixing with other things

  • Works well together

    Also in Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, for heat and restlessness.

  • Works well together

    Also in Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, for heat and restlessness.

  • Works well together

    Also in Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, where gardenia helps clear heat.

  • Works well together

    Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Moutan and Gardenia Free and Easy Wanderer) pairs them to clear heat and ease moods that feel stuck or irritable.

  • Works well together

    Paired in Yin Chen Hao Tang (Virgate Wormwood Decoction) to clear damp heat.

Found in these formulas

Coptis Detox Decoction (TCM)

The honest take

Gardenia fruit is a long-used heat-clearing herb, and its yellow pigment is used in food. Its benefits rest on lab, animal and traditional evidence. Human trials are too few to show it helps sleep or liver problems.