Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides

Common Name:

English: Cape Jasmin
Also, known as: Gardenia jasminoides, the gardenia, cape jasmine, cape jessamine, danh-danh, 栀子, Zhī Zi, Gardenia fruit, Cape jessamine fruit, Danh-danh fruit

Habitat: Jiangsu, Henan and Hubei province of China

Origin: China

Harvested: Wild or cultivted

Parts Used: Fruit

General Information:

Gardenia (shanzhizi, or simply zhizi) is the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides, one of the frequently used herbs in Chinese medicine. It has an intense bitter taste and a relatively strong cold nature. Cape jasmine is an evergreen shrub that originates from southern China and Japan. It is now widely cultivated in the tropics and sub-tropics, particularly in Southeast Asia both as a garden ornamental and as a source of a yellow food colorant. The pigments are contained in the fruit that is used in the Far East, either directly or after drying, in a wide range of dishes, and as a medicinal decoction with other herbs. In recent years, usage of the extract has developed in the processed food industries in Western Europe as a less expensive colorant substitute for saffron in applications where the latter's flavor is not required.

How to use:

Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

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This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Gardeniae Fruit