Fruits and seedsInterior-warmingFructus Evodiae

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit)

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Wu Zhu Yu?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Wu Zhu Yu is acrid, bitter and hot; slightly toxic , enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach and Kidney channels, and acts to disperse cold and stop pain, direct counterflow downward to stop vomiting, and assist Yang to stop diarrhea . It is used for Jueyin vertex headache, cold shan abdominal pain, cold-damp leg qi, menstrual abdominal pain, epigastric-abdominal distending pain, vomiting with acid regurgitation and fifth-watch diarrhea; externally for mouth sores. Acrid-hot and drying-fierce, it suits Liver-Stomach cold counterflow—not Yin vacuity with flaming fire or heat without cold.

Q: How do you choose raw versus processed Wu Zhu Yu? How is it used externally?

Internal use routinely prefers Zhi Wu Zhu Yu (licorice-processed) to reduce slight toxicity and dryness. Externally, powder may be applied or placed at Yongquan as an adjunct for mouth sores or hypertension—only under a practitioner. Do not treat a kitchen pinch as a large medicinal dose.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a Stomach-warming antiemetic tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 2–5 g ; externally, a suitable amount. It is not a four-season “Evodia warming tea.” Slightly toxic and acrid-hot, it must not be taken large or long. Jueyin headache and cold vomiting need a practitioner to name processed Wu Zhu Yu and a short small dose; excess may dry the mouth and blur vision.

Q: How do you choose and store Wu Zhu Yu?

Choose small plump green-brown or black-brown fruits with a dense aroma and an acrid-bitter-pungent taste . Split, moldy, moth-eaten and scentless lots are discarded. Store cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Wu Zhu Yu or Zhi Wu Zhu Yu; do not replace dispersing cold and directing counterflow downward with a large dose of unidentified culinary evodia.

A practical guide to Wu Zhu Yu: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Fructus Evodiae
Chinese Name & Pinyin	吳茱萸 · Wu Zhu Yu
Medicinal Part	Fruits and seeds
The herb	Wu Zhu Yu is the nearly ripe fruit, fiercely aromatic. Shan Zhu Yu is fruit flesh. Common form: Gan Cao–processed Wu Zhu Yu.
Nature and channels	Acrid, bitter, hot. Enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney. Acrid heat disperses cold. Bitterness directs down.
Pharmacopoeia line	Disperses cold and relieves pain. Directs rebellious qi downward and stops vomiting. Assists yang and stops diarrhea. Used for Jueyin headache, cold shan pain, cold-damp leg qi, menstrual abdominal pain, epigastric distending pain, vomiting and acid regurgitation, and cold-damp diarrhea.
Pattern cues	Vertex headache. Dry retching of drool. Cold shan. Acid regurgitation. Deficiency-cold diarrhea. Pale tongue with white coating.
In this article	Wu Zhu Yu versus Shan Zhu Yu, Gan Jiang, and Huang Lian. Why the dose is small. Why Gan Cao processing matters. Why yin deficiency is a stop sign. Who should skip it.

What Is Wu Zhu Yu?

Wu Zhu Yu (吴茱萸; Wú Zhū Yú; Latin: Evodiae Fructus; English: evodia fruit) is the dried nearly ripe fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T. G. Hartley (formerly Evodia rutaecarpa). In Chinese medicine it is an interior-warming herb. It is acrid, bitter, and hot, enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney channels, and its core actions are to disperse cold and relieve pain, direct rebellious qi downward and stop vomiting, and assist yang and stop diarrhea. The dose stays small. It is not Shan Zhu Yu. Cornus is sour, astringent, and slightly warm; it tonifies Liver and Kidney and secures essence-qi. Wu Zhu Yu is greatly hot and drying; it disperses cold and directs rebellion down. One character apart; tonify versus drain, cold versus heat, are opposite. Tradition often processes it with Gan Cao to soften the harshness. In Zuo Jin Wan it sits with Huang Qin’s partner Huang Lian. That hot–cold ratio belongs with a practitioner.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Jueyin cold congealing — vertex headache, cold shan pain, cold menstrual pain
Stomach-cold vomiting and acid regurgitation
Deficiency-cold diarrhea / cold-damp leg qi

The usual decoction dose is 2–5 g. Yin-deficiency fire and excess-heat constipation are contraindications. Acrid-hot and bitter-dry, it is not a “warm-stomach yu” that can swap with Shan Zhu Yu. A large amount can cause thirst, red eyes, and abdominal pain. Use caution in pregnancy.

When Liver and Stomach are deficient-cold and turbid yin rises, vertex pain and dry retching of drool are common. Wu Zhu Yu is acrid-hot. It disperses and directs down, which is why it appears in Wu Zhu Yu Tang. It is more drying-hot than it is moistening. A bitter mouth, yellow coating, and dry sore throat are injured further if more heat is added.

Wu Zhu Yu is not a catch-all for pain or vomiting. In yin-deficiency fire or ascendant Liver yang, using it alone can lift fire and disturb the spirit. Raw or Gan Cao–processed, and how large a share it takes in Zuo Jin Wan, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Wu Zhu Yu: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Fructus Evodiae

Botanical Origin

The dried nearly mature fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth.(Rutaceae)

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is green, small, full, with potent aromatic odor.

Macroscopic Features

Pentagonal flat spherical, 2~5mm diameter. Externally dark yellowish-green to brown, rough, with spotted protrusions or indented oil ducts. Apex has pentagonal cracks; base has remnants of fruit stem with yellow hairs. Hard and brittle texture. Potent aromatic odor, acrid, spicy and bitter taste.

Authentic Origins and Quality Identification

Historically, the highest quality herbs are sourced from regions like Guizhou, Hunan, and Sichuan.

How to Spot Quality: High-quality raw Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) is round, solid, and has a rough, wrinkled, dark yellow-green or brownish surface. When broken open, it has five chambers, each containing one black seed. It should have a very strong, aromatic, spicy scent and a bitter, pungent taste.
Processed Differences: The salted version is darker and has a milder smell, while the raw version is highly pungent.
Lookalikes: It is sometimes confused with similar plants (like Shi Hu), but those have a much weaker scent and different clinical effects, so careful identification is key.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid, Bitter; Hot; Slightly toxicLiverSpleenStomachKidney

1. Historical TCM Records

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: Listed it as a middle-grade herb, noting it warms the core, pushes Qi downward, and stops pain.
Ming Yi Bie Lu: Stated it treats cold phlegm, severe abdominal cramping, and unblocks stagnant digestion.
Ben Cao Gang Mu: Highlighted its ability to clear stagnation, treat hernias, and descend cold Qi.
Zhong Hua Ben Cao: Summarized its core functions: warming the Liver, dispersing cold, stopping pain, calming nausea/vomiting, and supporting Yang to stop morning diarrhea. It is famously used for cold-type headaches and menstrual pain.

2. Evolution of Medicinal Understanding

Over the centuries, TCM doctors highlighted different strengths of this herb:

Some focused on its ability to warm the Liver and disperse cold, using it primarily for cold-induced headaches and abdominal pain.
Others emphasized its power to descend Qi and stop vomiting, using it for Spleen and Stomach coldness.
Important Consensus: Practitioners agree that it is not a general tonic. People with "Yin deficiency and hyperactive fire" (those who run hot, have dry mouths, or night sweats) should avoid it, as its hot, spicy nature will only make the heat worse.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Disperses cold, stops pain, downbears counterflow, stops vomiting. Apply to deficiency cold of liver and stomach, headache or abdominal pain induced by inversed yin turbid.

1. Primary Focus: Warming the Liver, Dispersing Cold, and Relieving Pain

Traditional Function: Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) excels at unblocking the Liver meridian by driving out cold energy, making it highly effective for cold-induced pain.
Target Symptoms: Used for vertex headaches (pain at the very top of the head), hernia pain, severe menstrual cramps, and lower abdominal cold pain. These pains usually worsen with cold and improve with warmth, often accompanied by cold hands and feet and a pale tongue.
Common Pairings: Frequently combined with Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Dang Gui (Angelica Root), and Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root) to warm the stomach and promote blood flow. For hernia pain, it is paired with Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel) and Wu Yao (Lindera Root).
When to Avoid: Do not use if your pain is caused by internal heat or if you have Yin deficiency (symptoms like dry mouth, mouth sores, dry stool, or a red tongue with little coating).

2. Secondary Focus: Descending Rebellious Qi, Stopping Vomiting, and Relieving Diarrhea

Traditional Function: It helps push "rebellious" upward-moving Qi back down (stopping nausea and acid reflux) and warms the Spleen and Kidneys to stop chronic diarrhea.
Target Symptoms: Ideal for stomach cold (vomiting clear fluids), Liver Qi invading the stomach (acid reflux and rib pain), and "daybreak diarrhea" (watery bowel movements before dawn due to Kidney Yang deficiency).
Common Pairings: For cold stomach vomiting, it is paired with Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) and Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome). For acid reflux, it is combined with Huang Lian (Coptis Root). For daybreak diarrhea, it is a key ingredient in Si Shen Wan (Four Miracle Pill), paired with Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea Fruit) and Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg).
When to Avoid: Avoid if vomiting is caused by heat (bitter taste, burning stomach) or if diarrhea is due to damp-heat (sticky stool, burning sensation).

3. Common Herb Pairings: Synergistic Duos

A classic combination is Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger).
Why it works: Wu Zhu Yu warms the Liver and pushes energy downwards, while Sheng Jiang warms the Stomach and stops nausea. Together, they powerfully resolve cold-induced vomiting, stomach pain, and headaches. Note: This pairing should only be used under professional guidance.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Key Chemical Components

Modern laboratories have identified that Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) contains essential oils, alkaloids (like evodiamine and rutecarpine), and flavonoids.

Lab Findings: In animal models and test tubes, extracts have been shown to influence gastrointestinal movement and relieve pain caused by cold stimulation. However, human clinical trials are currently limited and mostly focus on its ability to soothe mild digestive upset.

2. Modern Pharmacological Directions

Current scientific exploration is generally focused on three areas:

Digestive Regulation: How its active compounds might help contract or relax gastrointestinal smooth muscles.
Pain Relief: Investigating how certain alkaloids interact with pain signaling pathways.
Anti-inflammatory Potential: Observing its effects on inflammatory cells in test-tube environments.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

It is vital to view modern studies with a balanced perspective:

Lab vs. Real Life: Results from animal or cell tests do not automatically translate to the same effects in the human body.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Modern research often uses highly concentrated single chemicals. This is completely different from drinking a traditional tea brewed from the dried root, and the two cannot be swapped.
Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use different doses and extraction methods, making it hard to apply one study's conclusion to general use.
The Synergy of TCM: In traditional practice, the herb works through the combined effect of all its parts. Isolating one single compound (like evodiamine) does not represent the healing power or safety profile of the whole herb.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Shared Traits with Similar Herbs

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) and Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel) share key traits:

Both strongly warm the body and disperse internal cold.
Both treat cold-induced abdominal pain and hernia pain.
Both require extreme caution for people with Yin deficiency (internal heat/dryness).

2. Core Differences

Properties and Toxicity: Wu Zhu Yu is hot, bitter, and has mild toxicity. Xiao Hui Xiang is warm, purely pungent, and generally non-toxic.
Direction of Action: Wu Zhu Yu has a "sinking" nature, excelling at pushing energy down to stop vomiting and diarrhea. Xiao Hui Xiang has a "floating/moving" nature, focusing on circulating Qi outwards to relieve bloating.
Target Symptoms: Wu Zhu Yu is preferred for deep, cold-induced vertex headaches, acid reflux, and morning diarrhea. Xiao Hui Xiang is better for relieving gas, stomach distension, and improving appetite.
Safety Profile: Due to its mild toxicity, Wu Zhu Yu is strictly cautioned for pregnant women, whereas Xiao Hui Xiang is relatively safer, though still used carefully.

3. A One-Sentence Summary

Wu Zhu Yu focuses downward to stop cold-induced vomiting and diarrhea, while Xiao Hui Xiang moves Qi outward to relieve abdominal bloating and gas; they cannot simply replace each other.

Classical Formulas Containing Wu Zhu Yu

Wen Jing Tang

溫經湯Sovereign

Formula CategoryBlood-Tonifying FormulasPrimary PatternBlood DeficiencyPrimary FunctionWarm channels, nourish Blood, regulate mensesRelated ConditionsIrregular Menstruation·Dysmenorrhea·Cold Limbs·Abdominal Pain

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Wu Zhu Yu Tang

吳茱萸湯

Formula CategoryYang-Tonifying FormulasPrimary PatternYang DeficiencyPrimary FunctionWarm the Middle, tonify deficiency, stop vomitingRelated ConditionsNausea·Headache·Cold Limbs·Abdominal Pain

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Si Shen Wan

四神丸Assistant

Formula CategoryAstringent FormulasPrimary PatternYang DeficiencyPrimary FunctionWarm Spleen-Kidney Yang, astringe intestines, stop diarrheaRelated ConditionsDiarrhea·Abdominal Pain·Poor Appetite·Cold Limbs

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Herbal Teas and Meals

Wu Zhu Yu & Ginger Millet Porridge:
- Ingredients: 2g prepared Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit), 5g Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), 50g millet.
- Method: Wash the millet and boil with water. Wrap the Wu Zhu Yu in a cheesecloth bag. When the porridge is half-cooked, add the ginger slices and herb bag. Cook until done, then remove the herb bag.
- Best For: Mild stomach cold, cold hands/feet, and poor appetite during autumn and winter.
- Avoid If: You have Yin deficiency, damp-heat diarrhea, or are pregnant.
- Frequency: 1-2 times a week in small amounts. Always use the processed (prepared) version for food therapy to reduce toxicity.

2. Preparation Differences

Raw vs. Prepared: Raw Wu Zhu Yu is harsh and strongly scatters cold (used clinically for severe pain). Prepared (stir-baked) Wu Zhu Yu is milder, less toxic, and safer for stomach conditioning. Salt-processed versions specifically target the Kidneys to stop diarrhea.
Cooking Tip: It can be boiled normally with other herbs. Do not boil it for excessively long periods, and never swap raw herb doses with concentrated herbal extracts.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycles

Dosage: Traditional clinical doses range from 2–5g. For home dietary use, keep it very low (1–3g).
Duration: Do not use continuously for more than 2 weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen, stop and seek professional medical advice.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Yin Deficiency / Internal Heat: Anyone with a dry mouth, mouth sores, dry stools, or hot flashes should avoid this herb.
Vulnerable Groups: Pregnant and nursing women must avoid it. Children and the elderly should only use it under strict medical supervision.
Organ Dysfunction: Those with impaired liver or kidney function should consult a doctor before use.
Allergies: Avoid if you are allergic to plants in the Rutaceae (citrus) family.

2. Medication Interactions and Dietary Notes

Wu Zhu Yu may interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, blood sugar medications, and sedatives (potentially altering their effects).
Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking prescription medications before using this herb.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose

Signs of Overuse: Taking too much or using it for too long can cause dry mouth, sore throat, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Allergic Reactions: If you experience rashes or itching, stop immediately.
Emergency: If you experience continuous vomiting, breathing difficulties, or a rapid worsening of symptoms, stop use and seek emergency medical care immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wu Zhu Yu

What is Wu Zhu Yu? Are Zhi Wu Zhu Yu, Shi Zhu Yu and Huang Lian the same?

Official Wu Zhu Yu (吴茱萸) is the nearly ripe fruit of Evodia / Tetradium species. The pharmacopoeial name is Euodiae Fructus (also Evodiae Fructus). Zhi Wu Zhu Yu is processed with licorice decoction then dried—less toxic and less drying, the usual internal form. Shi Zhu Yu is a related culinary species and must not be treated as equal. Huang Lian is bitter-cold Coptis that clears Liver-Stomach fire; with Wu Zhu Yu at 6:1 it makes Zuo Jin Wan—opposite in temperature, not the same herb. Write Wu Zhu Yu or Zhi Wu Zhu Yu; keep the dose small.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Wu Zhu Yu?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Wu Zhu Yu is acrid, bitter and hot; slightly toxic, enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach and Kidney channels, and acts to disperse cold and stop pain, direct counterflow downward to stop vomiting, and assist Yang to stop diarrhea. It is used for Jueyin vertex headache, cold shan abdominal pain, cold-damp leg qi, menstrual abdominal pain, epigastric-abdominal distending pain, vomiting with acid regurgitation and fifth-watch diarrhea; externally for mouth sores. Acrid-hot and drying-fierce, it suits Liver-Stomach cold counterflow—not Yin vacuity with flaming fire or heat without cold.

How do you choose raw versus processed Wu Zhu Yu? How is it used externally?

Internal use routinely prefers Zhi Wu Zhu Yu (licorice-processed) to reduce slight toxicity and dryness. Externally, powder may be applied or placed at Yongquan as an adjunct for mouth sores or hypertension—only under a practitioner. Do not treat a kitchen pinch as a large medicinal dose.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a Stomach-warming antiemetic tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 2–5 g; externally, a suitable amount. It is not a four-season “Evodia warming tea.” Slightly toxic and acrid-hot, it must not be taken large or long. Jueyin headache and cold vomiting need a practitioner to name processed Wu Zhu Yu and a short small dose; excess may dry the mouth and blur vision.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Forbid in Yin vacuity with flaming fire; do not take large amounts or for long. Use caution in pregnancy. Unsuitable in Stomach-fire vomiting and excess-heat acid regurgitation. Tell the practitioner about liver-kidney disease and multiple Western drugs. Stop at once and seek care if vision blurs or palpitations appear.

Can Wu Zhu Yu disperse cold, stop vomiting and stop diarrhea?

It can help Liver-Stomach deficient cold rising counterflow. Vertex pain and dry vomiting of drool join fresh ginger, ginseng and jujube in Wu Zhu Yu Tang. Liver fire invading the Stomach with acid regurgitation joins Coptis (more Coptis, less Evodia) in Zuo Jin Wan. Fifth-watch diarrhea joins Psoralea, nutmeg and Schisandra in Si Shen Wan. Acrid-hot, it directs counterflow downward—not a specific for every headache, every reflux or every diarrhea. Thunderclap headache with neurologic signs and vomiting of blood or black stool are emergencies.

Can Wu Zhu Yu be taken daily as a blood-pressure, uterus-warming or antacid tea?

Liver-cold vomiting and fifth-watch diarrhea may enter a short formula; Yin vacuity with fire only grows hotter and drier. “Evodia on the sole lowers pressure” does not replace cardiovascular assessment. Dispersing cold and directing counterflow downward should name processed Wu Zhu Yu 2–5 g; do not raise the dose on your own.

How do you choose among Wu Zhu Yu, Huang Lian, Gan Jiang, Xiao Hui Xiang and Hua Jiao?

Evodia is acrid-bitter-hot and slightly toxic: disperses cold, stops pain, directs counterflow downward and assists Yang to stop diarrhea—Liver-Spleen-Stomach-Kidney, specific for Jueyin cold counterflow. Coptis is bitter-cold: clears heat, dries damp and drains fire—clears Liver-Stomach fire; opposite in temperature and often used as a counter-assistant. Dried ginger is acrid-hot: warms the middle, disperses cold, restores Yang and transforms rheum—Spleen-Stomach-Lung. Fennel is acrid-warm: disperses cold, stops pain and regulates qi—cold shan. Sichuan pepper is acrid-warm: warms the middle, stops pain and kills parasites—middle cold with worms. Vertex cold vomiting favors Wu Zhu Yu; Liver-fire acid regurgitation favors Huang Lian with a little Wu Zhu Yu; middle-cold vomit-diarrhea favors Gan Jiang; cold shan favors Xiao Hui Xiang. They may be paired; all are wrong as pure acrid heat in Yin vacuity with fire, and the Evodia dose stays small.

Which herbs is Wu Zhu Yu combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Jueyin cold vomiting joins fresh ginger, ginseng and jujube in Wu Zhu Yu Tang. Liver fire invading the Stomach joins Coptis in Zuo Jin Wan. Fifth-watch diarrhea joins Psoralea, nutmeg and Schisandra in Si Shen Wan. Write Zhi Wu Zhu Yu; keep 2–5 g; do not use large raw doses.

How do you choose and store Wu Zhu Yu?

Choose small plump green-brown or black-brown fruits with a dense aroma and an acrid-bitter-pungent taste. Split, moldy, moth-eaten and scentless lots are discarded. Store cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Wu Zhu Yu or Zhi Wu Zhu Yu; do not replace dispersing cold and directing counterflow downward with a large dose of unidentified culinary evodia.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.