Latin Name
Cornus officinalis

General Description
Chinese practitioners use cornus berries in several medicinal tonics. Known also as Asiatic cornelian cherry fruit and Asiatic dogwood, it is prescribed for kidney and bladder disorders and for menstrual irregularity. Grown in several parts of China, it is harvested in October and November, when the fruit becomes purplish red. The best variety is fat, thick, soft and seedless. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes sour and slightly warm characteristics to cornus.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Excessive urination, incontinence, impotence and other symptoms related to kidney and bladder problems.
  
• Excessive sweating.
  
• Lightheadedness with weakness of the back and knees.
  
• Excessive menstrual bleeding or prolonged menstruation.

Preparations
The berries are available at Chinese pharmacies, Asian food markets and some Western health food stores.
Combinations: A preparation designed to overcome urinary frequency, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and low-back pain contains cornus berries as well as Chinese foxglove root, Chinese yam and other minor ingredients. A blend of cornus and Cherokee rose hip is prescribed for urinary incontinence. Check with a Chinese herbalist for recommended doses and additional combinations.

Special Information

• While cornus is believed to have low toxicity, herbalists warn against prescribing it for some forms of painful, difficult urination involving infection or cystitis.
  
• Laboratory tests indicate that cornus may have an antibiotic effect on staphylococcus bacteria.
  
• In tests with animals, cornus increased urination and reduced blood pressure.

Possible Interactions
Some Chinese herbalists advise against using cornus in combination with the herbs platycodon, siler and stephania.