The Positive Effects Of Ligustrum Lucidum - Chinese Privet

Other Common Names: Chinese Privet, Glossy Privet, Nepal Privet, Nu Chen, Nu Chen P'I Chiu, Nu-zhen-zi, To-Nezumi-Moti, Ligustrum lucidum

Range: E. Asia - China.

Habitat: Roadsides and in river valleys.

Chinese privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years. The fruit is antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumour, cardiotonic, diuretic and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of complaints associated with weak kidney and liver energy such as menopausal problems (especially premature menopause), blurred vision, cataracts, tinnitus, rheumatic pains, palpitations, backache and insomnia. Modern research has shown that the plant increases the white blood cell count and is of value when used to prevent bone marrow loss in cancer chemotherapy patients, it also has potential in the treatment of AIDS. Extracts of the plant show antitumour activity. Good results have also been achieved when the fruit has been used in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, Parkinson's disease and hepatitis.

The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use. It is often decocted with other herbs in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and also as a general tonic. Some caution is advised in their use, since the fruits are toxic when eaten in quantity.

The leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary. The bark of the stems is diaphoretic.

Young shoots - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails. The shoots contain a glucoside and are probably toxic.

Known Hazards: The fruit is mildy toxic. Although no other reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, it is quite probable that other parts of the plant also contain toxins.

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