Raw Gardenia Fruit Classic Formulas

Primary Actions

Drains fire and eliminates irritability - the raw form is used for febrile restlessness, agitation, chest constraint, and heat disturbing the Heart.
Clears damp-heat - traditional indications include jaundice, dark painful urination, and heat lodged in the Liver-Gallbladder or lower burner.
Cools blood and stops bleeding - raw Gardenia fruit is used when heat drives bleeding such as epistaxis, hematuria, or blood-heat rash.
Reduces swelling and trauma heat externally - poultice use extends to sprains, bruises, and hot painful swelling.

Zhi Zi Chi Tang - classic heat-constrained irritability formula using raw Gardenia fruit with Dan Dou Chi.
Yin Chen Hao Tang - damp-heat jaundice formula in which Gardenia fruit helps clear heat through the urine.
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang - intense fire-toxin formula using Zhi Zi to drain heat from multiple burners.

Traditional materia medica sources describe Shan Zhi and Zhi Zi as bitter and cold, entering the Heart, Liver, Stomach, and Lung to purge fire, cool blood, and clear damp-heat.
Processing notes distinguish the raw form from stir-baked or charred forms, with the raw fruit carrying the strongest fire-draining action.