Glossy Privet
OTHER NAME(S): Aligustre, Chinese Linguster, Chinese Ligustrum, Chinese Privet, Dongqingzi, Chinese Wax-leaf Privet, Joteishi, Ligustro, Ligustro Ceroso, Ligustrum, Ligustrum Fruit, Nu Zhen, Nu Zhen Zi, Nuzhenzi, To-Nezumimochi, Tree Privet, Troène, Troène de Chine, Troène à Feuilles Brillantes, Trueno, White Waxtree, Yojungja, Ligustrum lucidum, Ligustro Ceroso (Aligustre), Troène À Feuilles Brillantes
Overview
Glossy privet is a plant. The ripe fruit is used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) with other species of privet such as Japanese privet, border privet, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), common privet, golden privet, and others.
Glossy privet is used for promoting growth and darkening of hair, reducing facial dark spots, rapid heartbeat (palpitations), achy joints (rheumatism), swelling, tumors, dizziness (vertigo), common cold, congestion, constipation, deafness, fever, headache, liver disease (hepatitis), trouble sleeping (insomnia), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), promoting youthfulness, and extending lifespan. It is also used to induce sweating, as a tonic, for improving immune function, and for reducing the side effects of cancer treatment (chemotherapy). Glossy privet is also used for blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and sore back and knees.
It is not well understood how glossy privet might work. There is some evidence that it may stimulate the immune system and help fight cancer.
It is not well understood how glossy privet might work. There is some evidence that it may stimulate the immune system and help fight cancer.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Promoting growth and darkening of hair.
- Reducing dark spots on the face.
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations).
- Achy joints (rheumatism).
- Swelling.
- Tumors.
- Dizziness (vertigo).
- Common cold.
- Congestion.
- Constipation.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
- Liver problems.
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Improving the body’s defenses (immune function).
- Reducing the side effects of cancer treatment.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of glossy privet for these uses.
Precautions
Glossy privet might be safe for most adults when used appropriately. Some people may have allergic reactions such as a runny nose and asthma.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of glossy privet during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergy to the pollen of olive and related plants: Glossy privet may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Oleaceae family of plants. Members of this family include common privet (Ligustrum vulgare), olive, ash, and lilac. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking glossy privet.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Lithium interacts with Glossy PrivetGlossy privet might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking glossy privet might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of glossy privet depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for glossy privet. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Pajaron MJ, Vila L, Prieto I, et al. Cross-reactivity of Olea europaea with other Oleaceae species in allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Allergy 1997;52:829-35.
- Batanero E, Gonzalez De La Pena MA, Villalba M, et al. Isolation, cDNA cloning and expression of Lig v 1, the major allergen from privet pollen. Clin Exp Allergy 1996;26:1401-10.
- Khoo KS, Ang PT. Extract of astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Singapore Med J 1995;36:387-90.
- Lau BH, Ruckle HC, Botolazzo T, Lui PD. Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Biother 1994;9:153-61.
- Niikawa M, Hayashi H, Sato T, et al. Isolation of substances from glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum Ait.) inhibiting the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene in bacteria. Mutat Res 1993;319:1-9.
- Rittenhouse JR, Lui PD, Lau BH. Chinese medicinal herbs reverse macrophage suppression induced by urological tumors. J Urol 1991;146:486-90.
- Sun Y, Hersh EM, Talpaz M, et al. Immune restoration and/or augmentation of local graft versus host reaction by traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Cancer 1983;52:70-3.