ZHI ZI Fructus Gardeniae It is the dried fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.(Fam. Rubiaceae). It is prepared by the modern techniques of extracting, purifying and spray-drying. 1 gram of the extract powder is equivalent to 3.5 grams of the crude herb.

Property, taste and attributive meridian
Bitter in taste, cold in property. Enters the heart, lung and triple-jiao meridians.

Function and indication
Purge fire to relieve vexation, clear away heat and promote diuresis, cool the blood and clear away toxicity. Help for febrile diseases with irritability，jaundice, yellow urine, painful and difficult in urination due to bloody stranguria, hematemesis and epistaxis due to blood-heat，redness, pain and swelling of the eyes， sores and carbuncles due to noxious fire, and contusions (external use).

Chemical components
Iridoids, acids and flavanoids are the chief components.

Clinical applications
It is widely applied to help nameless poisoning swelling, parotitis, and infantile fever.