Herb

Shi Di

Persimmon calyx | 柿蒂

Shi Di

Product appearance may vary from images shown

Properties

Qi-regulating herbs (理气药) · Neutral

Traditionally supports*

Digestive Health Hiccup Relief Nausea and Bloating

Parts Used

Other

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Select Product Type

Select Supplier

Select Size

Quantity

$24.00 ($0.42/g)
For shipments to: United States Change
Standard Shipping (3-5 business days): $4.99
Express Shipping (1-2 business days): $9.99
Free shipping on orders over $75

About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Persimmon calyx is the dried cap-like structure from the top of persimmon fruit. It is the most widely used herb in Chinese medicine for stopping persistent hiccups. Its bitter, astringent nature helps push the stomach's Qi back downward when it is rebelling upward, which is the root cause of hiccups in TCM thinking. It has a neutral temperature, meaning it works for both cold and hot types of hiccups depending on what it is combined with.

Herb Category

Qi-regulating herbs (理气药)

Main Actions

  • Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Hiccup
  • Directs Stomach Qi downward

How These Actions Work

'Descends rebellious Qi and stops hiccups' is the primary and most specific action of Shi Di. In TCM, the Stomach's natural direction of Qi movement is downward. When this function is disrupted, Qi surges upward instead, producing hiccups (呃逆, è nì), belching, or nausea. Shi Di's bitter and astringent properties give it a strong descending and anchoring quality that redirects this rebellious Qi back downward. It is considered the single most specific herb for stopping hiccups regardless of whether the underlying cause is Cold or Heat, earning it the classical title of 'essential herb for stopping hiccups' (止呃要药). For Cold-type hiccups, it is paired with warming herbs like Ding Xiang (Clove) and fresh ginger. For Heat-type hiccups, it is combined with cooling herbs like Zhu Ru (Bamboo shavings) and Lu Gen (Reed root).

'Directs Stomach Qi downward' is the broader mechanism behind Shi Di's anti-hiccup action. Because it enters the Stomach channel and has a descending nature, it can also help with belching (噫气) and mild nausea related to upward-rebelling Stomach Qi. Its neutral temperature means it does not add Heat or Cold, making it a versatile building block that adapts to the accompanying herbs in a formula.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Shi Di is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Shi Di addresses this pattern

When the Stomach loses its natural descending function, Qi rebels upward, producing hiccups, belching, nausea, or vomiting. Shi Di directly addresses this pathomechanism through its bitter, astringent, and descending properties. Its bitter taste promotes downward movement, while its astringent quality anchors and stabilizes the Qi, preventing it from surging upward repeatedly. Because Shi Di is neutral in temperature, it treats the Qi rebellion itself without adding Heat or Cold, making it adaptable to both Cold and Heat presentations when combined with appropriate partner herbs.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hiccups

Persistent or intractable hiccups that do not resolve on their own

Belching

Frequent belching from upward-rebelling Stomach Qi

Nausea

Nausea or mild vomiting due to Stomach Qi failing to descend

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered
Stomach
Parts Used

Other

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

Quantity Description

Loading quantity information...

Concentration Ratio

Loading concentration information...

Fabrication Method

Loading fabrication information...

Supplier Certifications

Loading certifications information...

Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

Good quality Shi Di is flat and disc-shaped, about 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter, with thick, fleshy lobes. The outer surface should be yellowish-brown to reddish-brown in colour. The inner surface should be yellowish-brown and densely covered with fine velvety hairs. The calyx should feel hard and brittle but not crumbling. It should have minimal smell and a distinctly astringent taste when chewed. Prefer pieces that are large, thick, intact (not broken into fragments), and evenly coloured. Avoid calyxes that are dark, mouldy, or have lost their characteristic astringency.

Primary Growing Regions

Widely cultivated throughout China. The main producing regions are Henan and Shandong provinces, with significant production also in Hebei, Shanxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Sichuan. Henan province (particularly the area around Xingyang, famous for its persimmons) and Shandong are generally considered the primary sources for quality medicinal Shi Di.

Harvesting Season

Autumn and winter (September to November), when the fruit is fully ripe. The calyx is collected during fruit harvest or when persimmons are eaten, then washed and sun-dried.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

Loading supplier information...

Loading supplier attributes...

Miscellaneous Info

No additional information available

Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

Loading dosage information...

Instructions for safe storage and consumption

Loading storage and consumption information...

Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

5-10g

Maximum

Up to 15g in decoction for stubborn hiccups, under practitioner guidance. Some classical sources mention using up to 10 pieces (approximately 15-20g) in acute cases.

Notes

The standard dose of 5 to 10g is used in decoction for most cases of hiccups. For milder cases, 5g may suffice when combined with appropriate partner herbs. For stubborn or chronic hiccups, the dose may be increased toward 10 to 15g. Shi Di can also be used as a powder (ground and taken with warm water or yellow wine), which some classical sources suggest may be more effective for acute hiccups. When burned to ash and taken as powder (as described in some folk remedies), only 3 to 6g is used.

Processing Methods

Processing method

The dried persimmon calyx is charred by stir-frying over high heat until the exterior is blackened but the interior retains some original substance (烧灰存性).

How it changes properties

Charring enhances the astringent and hemostatic (止血) properties. The charred form gains a stronger ability to stop bleeding while its Qi-descending action becomes secondary. The temperature and channel entry remain largely the same.

When to use this form

Used when the clinical goal is stopping bleeding rather than descending Qi. Classical sources describe it for blood in the urine (血淋), where the charred calyx is ground to powder and taken with rice water.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Shi Di is classified as non-toxic and has no known toxic components at standard medicinal dosages. Its main chemical constituents include triterpene acids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), tannins, and phytosterols. Tannin content is present but relatively low in the dried calyx compared to the unripe fruit. No cases of poisoning from medicinal use of Shi Di have been reported.

Contraindications

Caution

Qi deficiency with prolapse of internal organs. Because Shi Di has a descending action on Qi, it may worsen conditions where Qi is already sinking, such as organ prolapse (e.g. uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, gastroptosis).

Caution

Hiccups or vomiting caused by Stomach Heat without Cold. While Shi Di itself is neutral in nature, it is most commonly combined with warming herbs (Ding Xiang, Sheng Jiang). If used in a warming formula for a Heat-pattern hiccup, it could aggravate the condition. When used for Heat-pattern hiccups, it must be combined with Heat-clearing herbs instead (such as Lu Gen and Zhu Ru).

Special Populations

Pregnancy

No specific pregnancy contraindication is established for Shi Di in classical or modern sources. Its neutral thermal nature and narrow therapeutic scope (primarily used for hiccups) make it relatively benign. However, as with all medicinal herbs during pregnancy, it should only be used under professional guidance and for clear clinical need. There is no known uterine-stimulating or teratogenic mechanism.

Breastfeeding

No specific concerns have been documented for Shi Di during breastfeeding. It is classified as non-toxic, and its traditional use at standard doses for short-term treatment of hiccups poses minimal theoretical risk of transfer through breast milk. However, formal safety studies during lactation have not been conducted, so professional guidance is recommended.

Pediatric Use

Shi Di may be used in children at reduced dosages appropriate for age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose. It is most commonly given for persistent hiccups. Because of its astringent taste, it may be more practical to administer in powder form mixed with warm water or honey (for children over one year old) rather than as a decoction. No specific age restrictions or pediatric toxicity concerns are documented.

Drug Interactions

Shi Di contains tannins that can bind to iron, potentially reducing the absorption of iron supplements or iron-containing medications. Avoid taking Shi Di within two hours of oral iron preparations.

The tannin content may also reduce the absorption of certain alkaloid-based medications if taken simultaneously, though this interaction is modest at standard doses.

No significant interactions with common pharmaceutical drug classes (anticoagulants, antihypertensives, etc.) have been documented for Shi Di specifically. However, as a general precaution, patients on medications for cardiac arrhythmias should inform their practitioner, given preliminary pharmacological data suggesting the herb may have mild anti-arrhythmic properties.

Dietary Advice

When taking Shi Di for hiccups related to Stomach Cold, avoid cold, raw, and icy foods and beverages, as these can worsen the underlying Cold pattern and counteract the treatment. Avoid highly acidic or sour foods, which may increase astringency in the stomach. Because the calyx contains tannins, avoid drinking milk or consuming high-protein foods (such as crab) within one hour of taking the herb, as tannins can bind with proteins and reduce absorption.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this herb is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.