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Ligustrum
Botanical name: Ligustrum
lucidum
This shrub is
native to China and eastern Asia and is now grown
ornamentally in the United States. The berry of
ligustrum is used medicinally.
Historical
or traditional use
Since
ancient times, ligustrum berries have been employed as a
yin tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ligustrum
was used for a wide range of conditions, including
premature aging and ringing in the ears.
Active
constituents
The
major constituent in ligustrum is ligustrin (oleanolic
acid). Preliminary studies, mostly conducted in China,
suggest that ligustrum stimulates the immune system,
decreases inflammation, and protects the liver.
Ligustrum is often combined with astragalus in
Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although used for
long-term support of the immune system in people with
depressed immune function or cancer, more research is
needed to demonstrate the optimal length of time to use
ligustrum.
How much is
usually taken?
Powdered, encapsulated berries, 13
teaspoons (515 grams) per day, are sometimes
recommended. A similar amount of berries can be made
into tea by adding 1/21 teaspoon (25 grams) of
powdered or crushed berries to 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling
water and steeping for ten to fifteen minutes.
Alternatively, 3/41 teaspoon (35 ml) of tincture three
times per day can be
taken.
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