Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Ligustrum berry
For the body system: Lymphatics
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ligustrum lucidum (Chinese Ligustrum, known as "Nu Zhen Zi" in Traditional Chinese Medicine) berries have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese herbal practice. They are valued for their supposed abilities to "nourish liver and kidney yin," which, in TCM theory, is linked to general vitality and immune function. While there is considerable traditional use of Ligustrum berries for longevity and supporting immune health, direct references to their use for the "lymphatic system" are rare. The lymphatic system as understood in Western physiology does not have an exact analogue in TCM. However, because Ligustrum is sometimes used in formulas aimed at "removing toxins" or "clearing heat," some herbalists extrapolate its use to support lymphatic health.
Scientific research on Ligustrum lucidum focuses primarily on its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective effects. There are studies suggesting that certain compounds in Ligustrum (such as oleanolic acid) can modulate immune responses, but these do not specifically address lymphatic function as defined in Western medicine. Thus, the use of Ligustrum berries to support the lymphatic system is justified more by traditional precedent and indirect associations than by direct scientific evidence. The overall strength of evidence for its impact on the lymphatics is therefore modest, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients that support Lymphatics
AescinAHCC
Ajuga
Alfalfa
Alkylglycerols
Andrographis
Asteraceae
astragalus
bayberry
bee products
berry
bindweed
bittersweet
black-eyed Susan
blackberry
blue flag
boneset
Brassica
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
Calendula
castor oil
cat's claw
Ceanothus integerrimus
chamomile
chaparral
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Citrus
citrus pectin
cleavers
Codonopsis
coriolus mushroom
coumarin
cowslip
cruciferous
culvers Root
cypress
cytokines
dandelion
deerbrush
dyer’s woad root
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elecampane
escin
figwort
fruit
fruit blend (proprietary)
Galium
ganoderma
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
gotu kola
green tea
heal-all
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
horse chestnut
Immortelle
Indian sarsparilla
jiaogulan
joe-pye
Kachnar
Laminaria
lemon
Lentinan
licorice root
Ligustrum
lingzhi
lobelia
Lomatium
maitake mushroom
marigold
Marshmallow
Monoterpenes
Mullein
Neem tree
Nettle
New Jersey Tea
noni
Ocotillo
onion
oregon grape
parsley
pau d'arco
Pluchea
Pokeweed
Polyporus
polysaccharides
punarnava
Queen's Delight
red clover
red root
reishi mushroom
rockweed
rosemary
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
Ruscogenins
Ruscus
Sanicle
sarsaparilla
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
serratiopeptidase
sheep's sorrel
Spanish Needle
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Stillingia
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Clover
Taraxacum
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Thymus
Triterpenes
turmeric
typhonium
Typhonium flagelliforme
Watercress
Watermelon
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Other body systems supported by Chinese Ligustrum berry
Adrenal GlandsBlood
Eyes
Immune System
Kidneys
Liver
Lymphatics
Skin
