Cornelian Cherry

Also called

Corni Fructus, Asiatic Dogwood, Japanese Cornel, Cornel Dogwood

Traditional names

Shan Zhu Yu, Shanzhuyu

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

• Shan zhu yu has been used in Chinese medicine for nearly 2,000 years and is first recorded in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing. It's described as sour, astringent and warming, and is used for:

  • Dizziness and ringing in the ears
  • Weakness in the lower back and knees
  • Impotence and involuntary loss of semen
  • Heavy sweating

  It has also been used for infections, inflammation, and nerve and urinary or reproductive disorders.[1]

• In Chinese medicine it's a tonic for the liver and kidneys, used for weakness, liver and kidney diseases and reproductive problems. The classic Compendium of Materia Medica says it stops heavy menstrual bleeding and treats frequent urination in older people. It has also long been used for thirst with frequent urination, now recognized as signs of diabetes, and for ringing in the ears, deafness, forgetfulness and hair loss.[2]

• This Asian cornelian cherry grows mainly in China, Korea and Japan. It's a close relative of the European cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), but the two plants' medicinal uses grew up separately.[3]

• Besides its use as medicine, the fruit is used in foods such as drinks, jams, preserves and canned products.[4]

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

• In lab and animal studies, the fruit and its compounds (especially morroniside and loganin) have lowered blood sugar, protected nerve cells, the liver and the kidneys, slowed bone loss, affected the immune system, protected the heart, and acted as antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation. Researchers say clinical trials are still needed to find out whether these effects happen in people.[2]

Research in people

• A 2025 review found that research on shan zhu yu is mainly lab and animal studies, and that clinical trials are lacking, so there's no good evidence yet on whether it works or is safe in people.[1]