Limited evidenceImmunity

Ligustrum (Privet Fruit)

Glossy privet fruit (nu zhen zi), a Chinese tonic usually paired with astragalus. Human evidence is essentially absent; what exists is chemistry, cell work and animal studies.

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What the science says

Immune support Limited evidence
Immune effects have been demonstrated mainly in animals, for example in breeding pigeons given a combined Astragalus, Epimedium and Ligustrum extract under stress. No controlled human trial supports the immune claim.
Antioxidant and bone effects Limited evidence
Reviews of the Erzhi Pill (Ligustrum plus Eclipta) and of its marker compound specnuezhenide describe antioxidant and bone-protective activity in preclinical models. These are laboratory findings, not clinical results.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditional decoctions use 6–12 g of dried fruit per day, usually within a formula; extract capsules typically supply 500 mg. Neither has been tested in a controlled trial.

SafetyFew reports of harm, but also almost no formal safety data. Loose stools are the common complaint. Avoid in pregnancy and in children given the lack of information.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.

With food?With food if it loosens your stools.

Worth knowingIt is a formula herb in practice, almost never taken alone, so a single-herb capsule is not what the traditional record describes.

Frequently asked questions

Does ligustrum (nu zhen zi) support immunity?

Human evidence for ligustrum is essentially absent, so the grade is limited. Immune effects have been shown mainly in animals, such as pigeons given a combined astragalus, epimedium and ligustrum extract.

How much ligustrum fruit should I take?

Traditional decoctions use 6–12 g of dried ligustrum fruit per day, usually within a formula, and extract capsules typically supply 500 mg. Neither amount has been tested in a controlled trial.

Is ligustrum safe?

There are few reports of harm from ligustrum, but almost no formal safety data; loose stools are the common complaint. Avoid it in pregnancy and in children given the lack of information.

Scientific references

The modern scientific interpretation of ancient wisdom: a review of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of Erzhi Pill and its constituent botanical drugs
Li X, Liu X, Jiang J — Front Pharmacol, 2026
Specnuezhenide: Comprehensive review of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and ethnomedicinal uses
He GS, Xia JK, Li QH — Fitoterapia, 2025
Effects of Astragalus, Epimedium, and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extractive on antioxidant capacity, production performance, and immune mechanism of breeding pigeons under stress
Zhang X, Zhou S, Liang Y — Poult Sci, 2023

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Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)