Alpinia Fruit – 1 lb (454 g)

Alpinia Fruit, known in Chinese as 益智 (Yìzhì) and scientifically as Fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Alpinia Fruit carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Alpinia Fruit helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Alpinia Fruit provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Alpinia Fruit has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Alpinia Fruit, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Yizhiren, Yizhi Zi, and Zhaizhi Zi. It is the mature fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., a plant of the Zingiberaceae family. It is mainly produced in Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Fujian provinces. The fruit is harvested in summer and autumn when it changes from green to red, with the stalk removed, then sun-dried or oven-dried.

[Properties] Pungent in taste and warm in nature. Enters the spleen, stomach, and kidney meridians.

[Actions] Warms the spleen to stop diarrhea and control salivation; warms the kidney to consolidate essence and restrain urination.

[Applications]
1. Used for vomiting and diarrhea due to spleen and stomach deficiency cold, epigastric and abdominal cold pain, and excessive salivation. Treats vomiting and diarrhea caused by spleen and stomach weakness, often combined with Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), and Kaempferia galanga (Gaoliangjiang). For spleen and kidney yang deficiency with internal cold dampness causing early morning diarrhea, it can be combined with Psoralea corylifolia (Buguzhi) and Myristica fragrans (Rou Dou Kou). If spleen deficiency with cold leads to inability to control salivation and continuous drooling, or in children with persistent drooling, it can be combined with Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Pinellia ternata (Banxia), dried ginger (Ganjiang), and Citrus reticulata pericarp (Chenpi).
2. Used for urinary incontinence, frequent urination, seminal emission, premature ejaculation, leukorrhea, and uterine bleeding due to kidney deficiency and instability. For kidney qi deficiency cold causing urinary incontinence, nocturia, or enuresis in children, it can be used alone or combined with Lindera aggregata (Wuyao) and Dioscorea opposita (Shanyao), as in the formula Suoquan Wan. For seminal emission and premature ejaculation due to kidney deficiency instability, it is often combined with Cuscuta chinensis (Tusizi), Psoralea corylifolia (Buguzhi), and lotus stigma (Lianxu). For dream emission due to heart and kidney disharmony, it is combined with Panax ginseng (Renshen), Poria cocos (Fushen), Polygala tenuifolia (Yuanzhi), and fossil bone (Longgu). For kidney qi deficiency causing leukorrhea, it can be combined with Dioscorea hypoglauca (Bixie), as in the formula Bixie Fenqing Yin. For uterine bleeding due to kidney deficiency and instability, it can be combined with Angelica sinensis (Danggui), Sepia esculenta (Haipiaoxiao), and palm charcoal (Zonglutan).
Additionally, Yizhiren is used for cold hernia abdominal pain and can be combined with dried ginger, fennel, Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou), and Citrus reticulata peel (Qingpi), as in the formula Yizhiren Tang.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 3–9 g; or incorporated into pills or powders.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases of seminal emission, frequent urination, or uterine bleeding caused by yin deficiency with fire or damp-heat.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: The fruit contains volatile oils, with main components including α-cyperone, 1,8-cineole, 4-terpineol, zingiberene, patchoulene, valencene, and gingerol. It also contains yizhiren ketone, various amino acids, inorganic elements, oleic acid, and linoleic acid.
2. Pharmacological effects: The methanol extract of the fruit has a strong positive inotropic effect on guinea pig left atrium; the acetone extract significantly inhibits gastric injury in rats; the alcohol extract inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.
3. Clinical reports: For enuresis, a powder of Yizhiren and cinnamon (each 1 part) and ephedra (2 parts) is finely ground. Three grams of this powder is mixed with a small amount of vinegar into a paste and applied to the umbilicus, fixed with adhesive tape. After 36 hours, it is removed, and reapplied after 6–12 hours. After three applications, treatment is reduced to once weekly for two consecutive weeks to consolidate efficacy. In a total of 38 cases, 18 were cured, 15 improved, and 5 ineffective, with an overall effective rate of 86.9%. [Jiangsu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1990, (6):51]