Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis) — Wild-Grown Pitted Dogwood Fruit, Sulfur-Free Dried Herb

Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis), also known as Dogwood Fruit or Cornelian Cherry, is the dried, pitted fruit of a highly revered traditional herb known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Shān Zhū Yú (山茱萸). For centuries, Shan Zhu Yu has been prized as a stabilizing, astringent, and essence-preserving herb, traditionally used to anchor the body's vital essence, support the Kidney and Liver, and gently restrain excessive discharge. Its nature is slightly warm and its flavor is sour and astringent, making it a gentle yet profoundly effective herb for securing the root and nourishing the deeper reserves of the body. This wild-grown, naturally sun-dried fruit is sourced from the Funiu Mountains of Henan and the Qinling range, carefully pitted, and processed without sulfur.

Key Selling Points

• Wild-grown from Henan Funiu Mountain and Qinling ranges
• Naturally sun-dried, sulfur-free processing
• Pitted fruit flesh (Zao Pi) for convenient use
• Traditional essence-preserving and astringent herb
• Available in 250g, 500g, and 1000g sizes

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is carefully pitted and sun-dried to preserve its deep purplish-red to dark crimson color, soft and slightly sticky texture, and mild, fruity, subtly sour aroma. When decocted or steeped, the fruit flesh yields a gentle, tart, and slightly sweet infusion with a smooth, rounded mouthfeel, releasing its characteristic sourness without harshness.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoctions and tonics
• Herbal tea blends with goji berry and chrysanthemum
• Medicinal food soups and congee
• Seasonal essence-nourishing formulas
• Daily wellness tea for Kidney and Liver support

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Shan Zhu Yu is decocted into soups, congee, and longevity tonics to support the body's vital essence and promote a sense of grounded stability. It is a classic ingredient in formulas paired with Rehmannia, Chinese Yam, and Goji Berry, and is often simmered into medicinal food soups during the cooler months. As a daily tea, it is brewed alone or blended with wolfberry and rose for a tart, gently warming infusion that supports the Kidney and Liver channels.

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