Ligustrum

botanical

Best with a meal

What is it

Ligustrum (most commonly Ligustrum lucidum, called nu zhen zi or glossy privet) is a traditional Chinese medicine herb whose berry/fruit is used as a yin tonic, with traditional applications for liver and kidney health and immune support.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Immune support and bone health (as part of formulas)

Limited Evidence

Mostly small Chinese clinical studies of Ligustrum lucidum in multi-herb formulas. Modern Western trial evidence is limited.

How it works

Ligustrum fruit contains oleanolic and ursolic acids, salidroside-like compounds, and iridoid glycosides. Mechanistic studies show effects on immune cell function, hepatoprotection in animal models, and modulation of oxidative stress markers. Modern clinical evidence is mostly small Chinese studies, often as part of multi-herb formulas.

Dosage

Traditional decoctions use 6-15 g of dried fruit per day. Extract supplements vary in concentration.

When and how to take it

Taken with meals once or twice daily. No strict timing.

2 commercial forms

Dried fruit / decoction

Traditional preparation.

Used in TCM formulas.

Fluid or solid extract

More concentrated.

Used in modern herbal products.

Safety

Generally well tolerated. Mild GI symptoms occasional. Long-term safety data are limited.

Who should be cautious

Caution with immunosuppressive therapy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: limited modern safety data. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners may also caution against use in certain 'cold' constitutional patterns.

Interactions

May modulate immune signaling; theoretical caution with immunosuppressants. Possible interactions with cyclophosphamide explored in research settings.

Food sources

Food	Amount	%DV
Ligustrum berries (not a culinary food)	n/a	—

Frequently asked questions

Is ligustrum the same as common privet hedge?⌄

Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet) is one of many privet species. The supplement uses the berries, not the leaves. Common hedge privets have toxic berries; do not forage.

Can I take ligustrum during chemotherapy?⌄

Discuss with your oncology team. Research has explored ligustrum as an immune modulator alongside chemotherapy, but combinations should be supervised.

References

Ligustrum on Wikidata — Wikidata link
Ligustrum on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
Research on Ligustrum (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Ligustrum with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store

Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.