Jia Wei addition in Xiao Yao San

Zhī Zǐ 栀子

Gardenia fruit · Gardeniae Fructus (Gardenia jasminoides) · added in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San in the classical formula

Role in the variant

Zhī zǐ is the second of the two Jia Wei additions, paired with mǔ dān pí. Its classical specialty is heat of the shén — the restless, irritable, can't-settle quality the older texts call vexation. Where mǔ dān pí cools the blood, zhī zǐ drains fire from the heart and liver and guides it downward and out^[1].

Character

Bitter and cold, entering the heart, lung, and triple-burner channels. The tradition uses it for fire in its various lodgings — irritability and insomnia, damp-heat jaundice, heat in the blood^[1].

In the pharmacy

The ripe fruit of Gardenia jasminoides — the same gardenia grown for its perfume — dried, sometimes dry-fried to moderate its coldness.