Glossy Privet

Aka: Nv Zhen Zi / 女贞子, Nu Zhen Zi, Joteishi / 女貞子, Yeojeongja / 여정자, Nu Trinh Tu.

used for premature graying of hair, blurred vision, dim vision, dizziness, tinnitus, lumbar weakness, sore knees, premature aging, kidney/liver yin deficiency patterns, post-illness recovery, post-chemotherapy recovery, postmenopausal symptoms, insomnia, palpitations from yin deficiency.

Compounds that activate Nrf2 are some of the most promising anti-aging interventions. the oleanolic acid in the fruit activates Nrf2, which fades as you age. protects skin from city air pollution damage. Li Shizhen wrote in 1578 that it darkens gray hair, strengthens weak knees, and clears blurry vision.

oleanolic acid boosts bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and shuts down bone-eating cells (osteoclasts). mild estrogen-like activity from the iridoid glycosides helps postmenopausal bone loss (driven mainly by estrogen decline).
also reduces visceral (belly) fat, because belly fat in older women correlates with weaker bones. good for menopausal osteoporosis, low bone density, hot flashes, night sweats, and menopausal insomnia.

specnuezhenide and lucidumoside C from the fruit block the abnormal eye blood vessel growth behind wet macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. just like the eye injections Lucentis and Eylea, but as an oral preventive. protects retinal cells from oxidative damage. improves retinal microcirculation. used for blurred vision, dim vision, age-related vision decline.

for chemo support, ligustrum + astragalus have been used to keep white blood cell counts up, reduce chemo side effects, and protect bone marrow.
oleanolic acid and salidroside kills lung, liver, breast, colon, leukemia, and gastric cancer cells. in a trial, this plant combined with reishi mushrooms, has been shown to make lung cancer patients feel better during chemo.

calms overactive brain immune cells (microglia) that drive Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and MS when chronically inflamed. switches these cells from inflammation mode to healing mode. look to Korean Dongguk University research. good for early Alzheimer's prevention, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, post-stroke brain recovery.

protects the liver from chemical damage, drug damage, alcohol, and hepatitis B/C. boosts glutathione, prevents cirrhosis, and is good for fatty liver disease.

oleanolic acid lowers blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity, blocking carb-digesting enzymes, and protecting insulin-producing pancreatic cells. lowers cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides while shrinking belly fat.

prevents hair from greying by protecting the melanin in the hair follicles from oxidative damage.

oleanolic and ursolic acid kill gum disease bacteria, calm gum inflammation, and protect against bone loss around teeth. good for gum disease, periodontitis, and gingivitis.