Ingredient Spotlight

Gardenia Pod / Zhi zi

Traditionally supports: Skin clarity, Tension support, and Emotional balance

How It's Used

In Chinese herbal practices, Gardenia Pod is recognized as a key herb for addressing heat and damp imbalances. It is traditionally used to support emotional calmness, promote cooling properties within the body, and address issues related to blood and toxicity.

In Western herbal practices, Gardenia Pod is valued for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is often associated with supporting liver and bile function and contributing to overall well-being.

Fun Fact: Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family, yet it’s known for its soothing qualities rather than energizing effects

I remember my grandmother making me a tea of Gardenia pod whenever I caught a fever. I hated the taste, but I’d always wake up the next morning feeling good as new—so I guess it was worth it!

- Lulu Ge, Founder

What the research says.

Proven by 839 clinical trials (and counting), doctors of all backgrounds can finally agree on the healing properties of this powerful herb.

Chemistry and bioactivity of Gardenia jasminoides.

Gardenia Pod has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and hypoglycemic properties, and has been shown to improve blood circulation and sleeping quality.

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Anti-inflammatory activities of crocetin derivatives from processed Gardenia jasminoides

Crocin, an active component of Gardenia Pod produces anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting COX-1 And COX-2 enzymes. The anti-inflammatory activity also blocked NF-kB activity, leading to less production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- challenged cells.

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Antidepressant-like effect of geniposide on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive rats by regulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis.

Geniposide, a major active component of Gardenia Pod, demonstrates antidepressant-like effects by regulating the HPA axis in the chronic unpredictable (CUMS) rat model. Doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg per kg reversed the CUMS-induced behavioral abnormalities.

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Anxiolytic effect of Gardeniae Fructus-extract containing active ingredient from Kamishoyosan (KSS), a Japanese traditional Kampo medicine.

Kamishoyosan is an active component within Gardenia Pod that produces an anxiolytic effect.

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