Herb Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Jin Ying Zi

Cherokee rose fruit · 金樱子

Rosa laevigata Michx. · Fructus Rosae Laevigatae

Also known as: Cherokee rosehip, 金罂子 (Jīn Yīng Zǐ), 糖罐子 (Táng Guàn Zi),

Jin Ying Zi (Cherokee rose fruit) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Jin Ying Zi (Cherokee rose fruit) is a stabilizing herb that seals and secures the body's essence, fluids, and digestive function. It is most commonly used for people experiencing involuntary leakage such as frequent urination, incontinence, chronic diarrhea, or excessive vaginal discharge due to underlying weakness. Its neutral temperature makes it gentle and versatile, but because it only controls symptoms rather than building strength, it works best when combined with tonifying herbs.

Category Astringent / Stabilizing herbs (收涩药) Herbs that secure Essence and reduce urination (固精缩尿止带药)
Therapeutic focus Bladder Health Digestive Health Reproductive Health Men's Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sour (酸 suān), Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels entered

Kidneys, Urinary Bladder, Large Intestine

Parts used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Available in our store
View in Store
From $18.00

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Jin Ying Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Jin Ying Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Bladder Health Digestive Health Reproductive Health Men's Health

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Jin Ying Zi performs to restore balance in the body:

Secures Essence and Stops Enuresis Astringes to stop leukorrhea and stabilize uterine bleeding Astringes the Intestines and Stops Diarrhea

How these actions work

'Secures essence and reduces urination' means this herb tightens and holds the body's stored essence (Jing) and fluids in place, preventing them from leaking out. In TCM, the Kidneys store essence and govern the opening and closing of the urinary tract. When Kidney function weakens, the body can 'leak' in various ways: involuntary seminal emission, frequent urination, or bedwetting. Jin Ying Zi's strongly astringent and sour nature acts like a seal on these pathways, helping the body retain what it should not be losing. It enters the Kidney and Bladder channels directly, making it particularly effective for these lower body leakage symptoms.

'Astringes to stop leukorrhea and stabilize uterine bleeding' refers to its ability to address vaginal discharge and abnormal uterine bleeding caused by weakness and deficiency. When the Kidneys and Spleen are too weak to hold fluids and blood in their proper channels, discharge and irregular bleeding can result. The astringent quality of Jin Ying Zi helps contain these losses. This is a symptom-management action, so it is typically combined with herbs that address the root deficiency.

'Astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea' means it helps firm up loose stools and stop chronic diarrhea by tightening the intestinal lining. Because it enters the Large Intestine channel, it is well suited for prolonged diarrhea or dysentery caused by Spleen deficiency, where the digestive system is too weak to absorb properly. It is not appropriate for acute diarrhea caused by infections or excess conditions, where the body actually needs to expel pathogens.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Jin Ying Zi is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Jin Ying Zi addresses this pattern

When the Kidneys are too weak to perform their 'gating' function (holding essence and controlling urination), substances that should be stored leak out. Jin Ying Zi's sour and astringent tastes directly address this loss by tightening and securing the lower body's outflow. It enters the Kidney and Bladder channels, making it a precise fit for the leakage symptoms of Kidney Qi not being firm. However, it only stabilizes and binds; it does not tonify the Kidneys itself, so it must be paired with Kidney-tonifying herbs to address the root cause.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Frequent Urination

Especially at night or with weak stream

Urinary Incontinence

Involuntary urine leakage due to weakness

Spermatorrhea

Involuntary seminal emission or nocturnal emission

Excessive Vaginal Discharge

Chronic watery or white discharge

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Jin Ying Zi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Qi Deficiency

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, urination is governed by the Kidneys, which control the 'opening and closing' of the lower body. The Bladder stores urine, but the Kidney's Qi provides the holding power that keeps it in place until it is time to release. When Kidney Qi becomes weak, this gate loses its firmness. The result is frequent, sometimes uncontrollable urination, nocturia (waking at night to urinate), or a feeling of incomplete emptying. This is quite different from urinary frequency caused by excess Heat or Dampness, where there is burning or urgency. The deficiency type tends to involve clear, copious urine and a weak, dribbling stream.

Why Jin Ying Zi Helps

Jin Ying Zi enters both the Kidney and Bladder channels and has a strongly astringent, sour taste that is specifically suited to tightening a loose 'gate.' Its neutral temperature means it won't worsen any underlying Yin or Yang imbalance. Pharmacological research has shown that extracts of Rosa laevigata can reduce urination frequency and prolong the interval between urinations in animal models, supporting the traditional use. However, since Jin Ying Zi only stabilizes and does not rebuild Kidney Qi, practitioners typically pair it with tonifying herbs like Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia fruit) and Shan Yao (Chinese yam) for a more complete treatment.

Also commonly used for

Urinary Incontinence

Including stress incontinence and enuresis (bedwetting)

Dysentery

Chronic or recurrent dysentery

Excessive Vaginal Discharge

Chronic leukorrhea from Kidney or Spleen weakness

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Deficiency-type metrorrhagia and metrostaxis

Uterine Prolapse

Due to Qi deficiency and sinking

Rectal Prolapse

Due to Qi deficiency and sinking

Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis with urinary symptoms

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sour (酸 suān), Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered

Kidneys Urinary Bladder Large Intestine

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Jin Ying Zi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

6-12g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in decoction for severe cases of chronic diarrhea or prolapse. Some historical sources indicate use of up to 60g/day in concentrated decoction for uterine prolapse (clinical trials), but this should only be done under close practitioner supervision.

Dosage notes

Use lower doses (6-9g) for mild cases of urinary frequency or vaginal discharge. Use higher doses (9-12g) for persistent seminal emission, chronic diarrhea, or prolapse conditions. For chronic diarrhea, the stir-fried (chao) or honey-processed (mi zhi) form is preferred, as these reduce the risk of abdominal pain and enhance the intestine-binding effect. For securing the essence and reducing urination, the raw form (Jin Ying Zi Rou, with seeds and hairs removed) provides stronger astringent action. It is most effective when combined with tonifying herbs. The Ben Cao Xin Bian specifically cautions against using Jin Ying Zi alone for seminal emission, recommending combination with Qian Shi, Shan Yao, Lian Zi, and Yi Yi Ren to balance astringency with supplementation.

Preparation

The fruit must be carefully processed before use: remove external thorns, split in half, wash briefly, and thoroughly scrape out all seeds and internal silky hairs. The cleaned flesh (Jin Ying Zi Rou) is then dried. This step is essential because the seeds are traditionally considered to have a semen-releasing effect that counteracts the herb's purpose, and the internal hairs can irritate the digestive tract.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Jin Ying Zi does

Processing method

The cleaned fruit flesh (with thorns and seeds removed) is stir-fried with honey until it becomes non-sticky and slightly darkened.

How it changes properties

Honey processing adds sweetness, enhancing the herb's ability to tonify the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). The astringent intestine-binding action becomes stronger, while the overall nature remains neutral. The sweet honey also moderates the sourness and makes it gentler on the digestive system.

When to use this form

Preferred for chronic diarrhea and dysentery from Spleen deficiency. The honey-prepared form is better suited when both intestinal astringency and gentle Spleen tonification are needed, and when the raw form might cause mild abdominal discomfort.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Jin Ying Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Qian Shi
Qian Shi 1:1 (equal parts)

This is the classical herb pair at the heart of Shui Lu Er Xian Dan. Jin Ying Zi provides strong astringency to seal the essence gate, while Qian Shi (Euryale seed) both astringes and nourishes the Spleen and Kidneys. Together they secure essence, reduce urination, and stop leukorrhea more effectively than either alone. Classical sources describe them poetically as 'one from water, one from land' working together like immortals.

When to use: Kidney deficiency with essence leakage: spermatorrhea, frequent urination, white turbid vaginal discharge, or chronic diarrhea from Spleen-Kidney weakness.

Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi 1:1 to 2:1 (Tu Si Zi : Jin Ying Zi)

Tu Si Zi (Dodder seed) warms and tonifies Kidney Yang and secures essence, while Jin Ying Zi provides astringent stabilization. Together they address both the root (Kidney Yang deficiency) and the branch (leaking essence), strengthening the Kidney's holding function from two directions.

When to use: Kidney Yang deficiency with spermatorrhea, impotence, or frequent urination where both tonification and astringency are needed.

Yi Zhi Ren
Yi Zhi Ren 1:1

Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia fruit) warms the Kidneys and Spleen, reduces urination, and controls saliva, while Jin Ying Zi provides neutral astringency. The warm-neutral combination strengthens bladder control without causing excess Heat.

When to use: Enuresis (bedwetting), frequent urination, or urinary incontinence from Kidney Yang deficiency with cold signs.

Bu Gu Zhi
Bu Gu Zhi 1:1

Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea fruit) strongly tonifies Kidney Yang and warms the Spleen, while Jin Ying Zi astringes and secures. Together they address Kidney-Spleen Yang deficiency with both tonification and stabilization, treating pre-dawn diarrhea and seminal loss.

When to use: Kidney-Spleen Yang deficiency with early morning diarrhea ('cock-crow diarrhea'), spermatorrhea, or lower back cold and soreness.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Shan Zhu Yu
Jin Ying Zi vs Shan Zhu Yu

Both are sour and astringent and stabilize the lower body to treat spermatorrhea, incontinence, and vaginal discharge. However, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus fruit) is both astringent AND tonifying: it strongly nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin/Yang, secures essence, stops sweating, and even supports collapse in critical conditions. Jin Ying Zi only stabilizes and does not tonify, but it has the additional ability to astringe the intestines to stop chronic diarrhea, which Shan Zhu Yu cannot do. Choose Shan Zhu Yu when the root Kidney deficiency needs direct nourishment; choose Jin Ying Zi when intestinal astringency is also needed or when simple stabilization suffices.

Qian Shi
Jin Ying Zi vs Qian Shi

Both are key astringent herbs for securing essence and reducing urination, and they are most often used together. Qian Shi (Euryale seed) is sweet and astringent and also tonifies the Spleen and Kidneys, giving it a dual stabilizing-and-nourishing role. Jin Ying Zi is more purely astringent and has a stronger intestine-binding action. When choosing between them alone, Qian Shi is gentler and more nourishing; Jin Ying Zi is more powerfully astringent.

Fu Pen Zi
Jin Ying Zi vs Fu Pen Zi

Both are fruits that secure the Kidneys and astringe essence to treat spermatorrhea and frequent urination. Fu Pen Zi (Rubus fruit) is slightly warm and also benefits the Liver and improves vision, with a milder astringent effect. Jin Ying Zi is neutral and has a stronger overall astringent action, plus it can treat chronic diarrhea via its Large Intestine channel entry. Choose Fu Pen Zi for milder deficiency with vision problems; choose Jin Ying Zi for more severe leakage or when intestinal astringency is also needed.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Jin Ying Zi

The fruit of Jin Ying Zi (Rosa laevigata) is occasionally confused with fruits of other Rosa species, particularly Xiao Guo Qiang Wei (Rosa cymosa, small-fruited rose) and Fen Tuan Qiang Wei (Rosa multiflora var. cathayensis). The roots of these species are sometimes mixed together in the medicinal market. Authentic Jin Ying Zi fruit is distinctively obovoid with dense surface prickles and a characteristic thick fleshy wall with numerous hard achenes inside. It can be distinguished by its red-yellow surface colour and the pattern of raised brown dots remaining after de-thorning. The root (Jin Ying Gen) is a separate medicine; market confusion between the root and root bark (rhizome) of the same plant also occurs and may affect clinical quality.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Jin Ying Zi

Non-toxic

Jin Ying Zi is classified as non-toxic in both classical sources and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The Kai Bao Ben Cao states it is non-toxic. However, the unprocessed fruit (with seeds and internal silky hairs intact) can cause abdominal pain and gastrointestinal irritation in some individuals. The seeds should always be removed before internal use, as they were traditionally believed to counteract the fruit's astringent action. Stir-frying (chao) or honey-processing (mi zhi) can further reduce the risk of abdominal discomfort. No significant toxic components have been identified in the fruit flesh. A 90-day subchronic toxicity study of the total flavonoids from the fruit in rats found the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 500 mg/kg/day, with only mild effects at higher doses, supporting a good safety profile at standard dosages.

Contraindications

Situations where Jin Ying Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Excess Heat or pathogenic Fire patterns. Jin Ying Zi is an astringent herb that retains and binds, so using it when there is active Heat or Fire in the body can trap the pathogen inside and worsen the condition.

Avoid

Diarrhea caused by acute Heat toxin or damp-heat. The Ben Cao Jing Shu warns that diarrhea due to intense Heat pouring downward should not be treated with this astringent herb, as it would trap Heat in the intestines.

Avoid

Spermatorrhea or urinary incontinence caused by Yin deficiency with vigorous Fire. The Ben Cao Jing Shu specifically notes that when seminal loss or urinary dysfunction arises from Yin deficiency Fire, astringent herbs like Jin Ying Zi are inappropriate and may aggravate the underlying condition.

Caution

Middle Jiao cold with abdominal masses (zhong han you pi). The Yi Xue Ru Men advises against using Jin Ying Zi in patients with cold obstruction and accumulation in the Spleen and Stomach.

Caution

The raw, unprocessed herb (with seeds intact) may cause abdominal pain. The seeds inside the fruit are traditionally believed to have a semen-releasing rather than semen-securing effect, and the internal hairs are irritating. Proper processing (removing seeds and hairs) is essential before use.

Caution

Constipation or difficult bowel movements. As a strongly astringent herb that binds the intestines, Jin Ying Zi may worsen constipation.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

No specific classical prohibition against use during pregnancy exists for Jin Ying Zi. As a strongly astringent herb with binding and retaining properties, it does not move Blood or stimulate the uterus. However, its strong astringent nature could potentially worsen constipation, which is common in pregnancy. Use during pregnancy should be guided by a qualified practitioner and limited to clear clinical need. Safety data from human pregnancy studies are not available.

Breastfeeding

No classical or modern sources specifically address the safety of Jin Ying Zi during breastfeeding. The herb is non-toxic at standard doses and its astringent, binding nature is not associated with components known to transfer harmfully through breast milk. However, its strongly astringent quality could theoretically affect digestion in a breastfeeding mother. As with all herbs during lactation, professional guidance is recommended.

Children

Jin Ying Zi may be used in children for conditions such as bedwetting (enuresis) or chronic diarrhea, which are among its primary indications. Dosage should be reduced proportionally according to the child's age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose for children over 5 years old. It should only be used under professional guidance in pediatric patients. Ensure that the processed form (with seeds and hairs removed) is always used, as the unprocessed herb can cause abdominal pain.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Jin Ying Zi

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been reported for Jin Ying Zi. However, based on its known pharmacological properties, the following theoretical considerations apply:

  • Antidiabetic medications: Animal studies have shown that Rosa laevigata extracts may have blood sugar-lowering effects. Concurrent use with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs could theoretically potentiate hypoglycaemia. Blood sugar monitoring is advisable.
  • Anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs: A subchronic toxicity study noted decreased platelet counts at very high doses of the total flavonoids. While not established at normal doses, caution may be warranted when combining with warfarin, heparin, or antiplatelet agents.
  • Lipid-lowering medications: Animal studies have demonstrated hypolipidaemic effects. Additive effects with statins or other lipid-lowering drugs are theoretically possible.

These interactions remain theoretical and are based on preclinical data. Clinical evidence in humans is lacking.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Jin Ying Zi

When taking Jin Ying Zi for Kidney deficiency with loose stools or seminal emission, avoid cold and raw foods, iced drinks, and excessively greasy or spicy foods, as these can undermine the Spleen and Kidney functions the herb is intended to support. Warm, easily digestible foods such as congee, cooked grains, and mild soups complement its astringent action. Foods that naturally support the Kidney such as black sesame, walnuts, and lotus seeds are compatible.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Jin Ying Zi source plant

Rosa laevigata Michx. (Cherokee Rose) is an evergreen climbing shrub of the Rosaceae family, capable of reaching up to 5 metres in height. Its stout branches are armed with scattered, flattened, curved thorns and bear trifoliate (occasionally five-leaflet) compound leaves with leathery, glossy, elliptic-ovate leaflets that have finely serrated margins. The leaf stalks and rachis also carry small prickles and glandular hairs.

In late spring (April to June), solitary white flowers about 5 to 9 cm across bloom from the leaf axils, each with five broad petals, numerous yellow stamens, and densely glandular-hairy sepals and flower stalks. These glandular hairs gradually develop into needle-like prickles as the fruit matures. The fruit is a fleshy pseudocarp (false fruit developed from the floral receptacle), pear-shaped or obovoid, 2 to 4 cm long, densely covered with bristly prickles, turning red-yellow to red-brown when ripe in autumn. Inside the thick fleshy wall are numerous small, hard achenes (true fruits) surrounded by pale yellow silky hairs.

The plant grows wild in sunny hillsides, field margins, stream banks, and scrubland thickets at elevations of 200 to 1,600 metres throughout southern China. It prefers warm, humid climates with ample sunlight and well-drained, slightly acidic soils, though it is adaptable and somewhat shade- and cold-tolerant.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Jin Ying Zi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

October to November, when the fruit has ripened and turned red.

Primary growing regions

Widely distributed across southern China. The Ben Cao Tu Jing recorded that those from Jiangxi, Jiannan (Sichuan), and Lingnan (Guangdong/Guangxi) were considered the finest quality. Modern primary producing regions include Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Sichuan provinces. Additional production comes from Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangxi, Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hubei, and Shaanxi. The herb grows wild in hilly terrain, field borders, and stream banks throughout these areas at elevations of 200 to 1,600 metres.

Quality indicators

Good quality Jin Ying Zi fruit should be large, intact, obovoid in shape, with a red-yellow to red-orange surface colour. The surface should show small, raised brown dots (remnant bases where the spines were removed) but be cleanly de-thorned without excessive residual bristles. When cut open, the wall of the fleshy receptacle should be 1 to 2 mm thick. The interior should be cleaned of all seeds and the pale yellow silky hairs (for processed Jin Ying Zi Rou). The texture should be hard and firm. It should have no particular odour and a sweet, mildly astringent taste. Avoid fruits that are dark, mouldy, broken, or still contain many seeds and hairs. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia requires that Jin Ying Zi polysaccharides (calculated as glucose) be no less than 25.0% in the processed flesh.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Jin Ying Zi and its therapeutic uses

《开宝本草》 (Kai Bao Ben Cao)

Original: 味酸涩，平温，无毒。

Translation: "Sour-astringent in flavour, neutral to warm in nature, non-toxic."

《蜀本草》 (Shu Ben Cao)

Original: 主治脾泄下痢，止小便利，涩精气。

Translation: "Treats Spleen-type diarrhea and dysentery, stops excessive urination, and secures the essence and Qi."

《本草经疏》 (Ben Cao Jing Shu)

Original: 十剂云，涩可去脱。脾虚滑泄不禁，非涩剂无以固之。膀胱虚寒则小便不禁，肾与膀胱为表里，肾虚则精滑，时从小便出。此药气温味酸涩，入三经而收敛虚脱之气，故能主诸证也。

Translation: "The Ten Strategies say: 'Astringency can treat prolapse and loss.' When the Spleen is deficient and there is uncontrolled slippery diarrhea, only astringent remedies can stabilise it. When the Bladder is cold-deficient, urination becomes uncontrolled. The Kidney and Bladder are interior-exterior partners: when the Kidney is deficient, the essence becomes slippery and leaks out with the urine. This herb, warm in nature and sour-astringent in flavour, enters the three channels and collects the Qi of deficiency and collapse. Thus it can treat all these conditions."

《本草纲目》 (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Original: 金樱子，无故而服之，以取快欲，则不可；若精气不固者服之，何咎之有。

Translation: "Jin Ying Zi should not be taken without cause merely to enhance sensual pleasure. But for those whose essence and Qi are not secured, what harm could there be in taking it?"

《本草新编》 (Ben Cao Xin Bian)

Original: 遗精梦遗之症，皆尿窍闭而精窍开。不兼用利水之药以开尿窍，而仅用涩精之味以固精门，故愈涩而愈遗也。所以用金樱子，必须兼用芡实、山药、莲子、薏仁之类。

Translation: "In cases of seminal emission and nocturnal emission, the urinary orifice is closed while the seminal gate is open. If one only uses astringent medicines to close the seminal gate without also using water-draining herbs to open the urinary orifice, then the more one astringes, the more the emissions continue. Therefore, when using Jin Ying Zi, one must also combine it with Qian Shi [foxnut], Shan Yao [Chinese yam], Lian Zi [lotus seed], Yi Ren [Job's tears], and the like."

《本草图经》 (Ben Cao Tu Jing)

Original: 今南中州郡多有，而以江西、剑南、岭外者为胜。丛生郊野中，大类蔷薇，有刺，四月开白花，夏秋结实亦有刺，黄赤色，形似小石榴。

Translation: "Now found widely in southern provinces, with those from Jiangxi, Jiannan [Sichuan], and Lingnan considered best. It grows in clusters in the wild countryside, much resembling a rose bush with thorns. In the fourth month it opens white flowers; in summer and autumn it bears thorny fruit of yellow-red colour, shaped like a small pomegranate."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Jin Ying Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Jin Ying Zi was first recorded in the Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun (雷公炮炙论), a foundational text on medicinal processing attributed to Lei Xiao of the Liu Song dynasty (5th century). This makes it a herb with a long and well-documented history of use. Its name literally means "golden cherry seed" because the small ripe fruit resembles a golden cherry. Folk names are numerous and colourful, including "sugar jar" (糖罐), "thorn pear" (刺梨子), "wild pomegranate" (野石榴), and "lantern fruit" (灯笼果), reflecting its familiarity as a wild fruit across southern China.

The Ben Cao Tu Jing (Song dynasty) noted that people in Jiangnan and Sichuan traditionally boiled the fruit into a thick syrup and drank it with wine as a tonic, reporting remarkable effects. It also recorded the practice of combining Jin Ying Zi with Qian Shi (foxnut) to form the famous "Water and Land Immortal Pill" (水陆二仙丹), from the Ren Cun Tang Jing Yan Fang. This formula remains one of the most well-known pairings in TCM for securing the essence. Zhu Danxi, in the Ben Cao Yan Yi Bu Yi (Yuan dynasty), sounded a note of caution, warning that the channels and pathways need free flow, and that foolish use of astringent herbs for pleasure-seeking is counterproductive. Li Shizhen echoed this in the Ben Cao Gang Mu, clarifying that Jin Ying Zi is genuinely beneficial for those with unstable essence but should not be taken casually. Chen Shiduo, in the Ben Cao Xin Bian (Qing dynasty), provided an influential clinical insight: that Jin Ying Zi must always be combined with diuretic and tonifying herbs, arguing that using astringency alone paradoxically worsens emissions.

An important processing detail, first emphasised in the Ben Cao Xin Bian, is that the internal seeds and hairs must be completely removed before use. The seeds were believed to have a semen-releasing effect, the opposite of the fruit's therapeutic purpose. Processing remains laborious, as the thorny exterior must be stripped and the interior carefully cleaned. This difficulty has historically limited the herb's clinical availability.

Modern Research

6 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Jin Ying Zi

1

Protective effect of flavonoid-rich extract from Rosa laevigata Michx on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (Preclinical study, 2013)

Zhang S, Qi Y, Xu Y, Han X, Peng J, Liu K, Sun CK. Neurochemistry International, 2013, 63(5): 522-532.

This animal study found that a flavonoid-rich extract from Jin Ying Zi fruit significantly improved survival rates and reduced brain damage in rats with induced cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. The protective effect was attributed to antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, including downregulation of several cell-death pathways.

Link
2

Effects of flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit against high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats (Preclinical study, 2013)

Zhang S, Zheng L, Dong D, Xu L, Yin L, Qi Y, Han X, Lin Y, Liu K, Peng J. Food Chemistry, 2013, 141(3): 2108-2116.

In a rat model of high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease, total flavonoids from the fruit significantly reduced liver fat accumulation and improved liver function markers. The study suggested the extract could be a candidate for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Link
3

Protection of the flavonoid fraction from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice (Preclinical study, 2013)

Zhang S, Lu B, Han X, Xu L, Qi Y, Yin L, Xu Y, Zhao Y, Liu K, Peng J. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2013, 55: 60-69.

Total flavonoids from the fruit significantly protected against chemically induced liver injury in mice, reducing liver enzyme elevations, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokine expression. The mechanism involved suppression of NF-kB signalling and apoptosis pathways.

Link
4

Subchronic toxicity study of the total flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit in rats (Toxicology study, 2012)

Zhang S, Zheng L, Xu L, Sun H, Li H, Yao J, Liu K, Peng J. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2012, 62: 221-230.

A 90-day safety study administered total flavonoids from the fruit to rats at three dose levels. No toxic signs were observed at 500 mg/kg/day. At the highest dose (2000 mg/kg/day), mild effects were noted including decreased platelet counts and cardiac changes. The NOAEL was established at 500 mg/kg/day, supporting a good safety profile.

Link
5

Total Flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx Fruit Ameliorates Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Rats (Preclinical study, 2016)

Tao X, Sun X, Xu L, Yin L, Han X, Qi Y, Xu Y, Zhao Y, Wang C, Peng J. Nutrients, 2016, 8(7): 418.

Total flavonoids from the fruit protected against liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by reducing oxidative stress (lowering MDA, raising SOD and GSH-Px) and suppressing inflammatory cytokines. The mechanism involved inhibition of TLR4/MyD88 signalling and activation of the Sirt1/Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.

Link
6

Ethanol Extract of Rosa laevigata Michx. Fruit Inhibits Inflammatory Responses through NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways via AMPK Activation in RAW 264.7 Macrophages (In vitro study, 2023)

Molecules, 2023, 28(6): 2813.

This cell study demonstrated that an ethanol extract of Jin Ying Zi fruit effectively suppressed inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated macrophages. The anti-inflammatory mechanism involved AMPK activation leading to inhibition of NF-kB and MAPK signalling pathways. Active components identified included madecassic acid, ellagic acid, quinic acid, and procyanidin C1.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.