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Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx and Receptacle)

A practical guide to Shi Di: 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 29, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Kaki Calyx
Chinese Name & Pinyin	柿蒂 · Shi Di
Medicinal Part	Others
The item	Shi Di is the dried persistent calyx of the persimmon tree, usually used raw. Ding Xiang is not this herb. It usually goes into decoctions.
Nature and channels	Bitter, astringent, neutral. Enters the Stomach and Lung. It descends reversed qi and stops hiccups.
Pharmacopoeia line	Descends qi and stops hiccups. Traditionally used for hiccups and belching from stomach-qi reversal, and mild cough with rising lung qi.
Pattern cues	Hiccups after cold food. Hiccups after catching cold. Mild stomach fullness with belching.
In this article	Shi Di versus Ding Xiang. Settling reversed qi versus warming the middle. Why fire-type hiccups are a poor match. Who should skip it.

What Is Shi Di?

Shi Di (柿蒂; Shì Dì; Latin: Diospyros kaki; English: persimmon calyx) in the current pharmacopoeia is the dried persistent calyx of the persimmon tree, gathered in winter after the fruit is picked and sun-dried, usually used raw. It is bitter and astringent, and neutral, enters the Stomach channel and also the Lung, and its core actions are to descend the upward-reversed stomach qi and stop hiccups, and to assist in calming reversed lung qi in cough. It usually goes into decoctions. The usual amount is 3–10 g. It needs no special handling in a decoction; a simple short simmer of ten to fifteen minutes is enough.

It is not Ding Xiang. Clove is acrid and warm; it warms the middle and disperses cold to treat the root of cold-type hiccups, while Shi Di is neutral and mainly settles the rising qi. Loud hiccups with a bitter mouth, bad breath, and dry stools, from stomach fire rising upward, are a poor match. Yin-deficiency heat with a dry mouth and hot palms should not use it on its own. Pregnancy and nursing call for caution.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Intermittent hiccups after cold food, cold exposure, or mild stomach disharmony
Hiccups with stomach fullness and poor appetite after diet injury
Mild cough with rising stomach qi — slight chest tightness, little white sputum

Bitter, astringent, and neutral, it is not a daily “hiccup water” to keep brewing. When the hiccups come from stomach fire or yin deficiency with heat, using it on its own does not match the pattern and leaves the fire untouched.

When cold food, cold exposure, or mild stomach disharmony sends stomach qi upward, repeated belching and hiccups, with a little stomach fullness, are common. Shi Di is bitter, astringent, and neutral. It gently pulls the reversed qi back down, which is why it appears in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang (Clove-Persimmon-Calyx Decoction)–type formulas. It settles more than it warms. Loud fire-type hiccups, with a bitter mouth and bad breath, are a poor match on their own.

Shi Di is not a catch-all hiccup fix. In stomach fire rising upward, or in yin deficiency with heat, using it alone leaves the wrong root untouched. Simple decoction or tea, and whether it belongs in a formula, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Shi Di: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Kaki Calyx

Botanical Origin

The dried persistent calyx of Diospyros kaki Thunb.(Ebenaceae). The mature fruit is harvested in winter and the calyx is collected when fruit is consumed. It is washed clean and sun-dried.

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Shandong, Fujian, Hebei, Shanxi.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is large and thick, hard, yellowish-brown.

Macroscopic Features

Flat spherical, 1.5~2.5cm diameter. Center is relatively thick, slightly raised up, with round scar of fallen off fruit, edge is relatively thin, 4 lobes that are often rolled over, easily broken; base has fruit stem or round hole-like fruit stem scar. External surface is yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, inner surface is yellowish-brown, densely covered hairs. Hard and brittle texture. faint odor, astringent taste.

Main Regions and Quality Identification

Traditional materia medica and industry experience value certain producing regions, but actual quality also depends on variety, harvest time, processing, and storage. The main producing areas of Shi Di are concentrated in several northern provinces of China — the main persimmon-producing belt, where persimmon cultivation has a long history and Shi Di is common. In appearance, good-quality raw Shi Di is flat and round, 1.5–3 cm in diameter, with 4 lobes at the edge that curl outward; the surface is yellow-brown or red-brown, slightly hard with a little toughness, with a faint fruit fragrance and an astringent taste. The common look-alikes are other similar persistent calyxes — such as the calyx of the black date — whose lobes are shorter and more black-brown in color — clearly different from Shi Di; observe the lobe form and color to tell them apart.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Bitter, Astringent; NeutralStomach

1. Records in Classic Materia Medica

Ben Cao Shi Yi: the earliest record — mentions that Shi Di can be used to "stop hiccups," targeting the uncontrollable hiccup of stomach-qi reversal.
Ben Cao Gang Mu: supplements that Shi Di can "stop cough-reversal and descend qi" — besides easing hiccups, it also helps calm the reversed lung qi.
De Pei Ben Cao: defines its stomach-channel entry, stressing that its core action is regulating the stomach qi — avoiding the generalization of its effects.

2. How Views of Its Nature Changed

Views among physicians differ. Some hold it leans to clearing-draining — fitting the hiccups of food accumulation and stomach-fire reversal, better paired with stomach-clearing herbs; some hold it leans to warm-freeing — fitting the hiccups of spleen-stomach deficiency-cold and catching cold, better paired with yang-warming herbs; some stress its limited scope — it cannot be used for all types of hiccups; for example, for the intractable hiccups of severe illness, Shi Di alone has limited effect — do not blindly widen its application.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Downbears rebellion and stops hiccup.

1. First Direction: Descending Qi and Stopping Hiccups

Traditional action: regulate the reversed stomach qi, easing the symptom of uncontrollable hiccups.
Typical signs: intermittent hiccups from eating too cold, eating too fast, catching cold, or mild spleen-stomach disharmony — the sound is not especially high-pitched, possibly with mild stomach fullness and poor appetite.
Usual combinations: for cold-caused hiccups, paired with the stomach-warming, cold-dispersing herbs Sheng Jiang and Ding Xiang to strengthen the qi-descending effect; for food-accumulation hiccups, paired with the digestion-promoting herbs Shan Zha and Shen Qu to help restore the spleen-stomach function.
Who should not self-use: if the hiccups are loud, with a bitter mouth and bad breath — a stomach-fire reversal — do not self-use Shi Di alone.

2. Second Direction: Assisting Cough Relief

Traditional action: calm the reversed lung qi, assisting the cough caused by lung-stomach qi reversal.
Typical signs: a cough with mild chest oppression and hiccups, without marked phlegm or with only a little white phlegm — mostly from improper diet and qi disorder causing the lung qi and stomach qi to rise together.
Usual combinations: often paired with the lung-diffusing, cough-stopping herbs Xing Ren and Jie Geng, together with Chen Pi to regulate the qi and harmonize the stomach — attending to both the lung and the stomach.
Who should not self-use: if the cough comes with much thick phlegm and fever — a heavier lung-heat or phlegm-dampness state — do not self-use.

3. Classic Pairing: Shi Di With Ding Xiang

This pairing is the classic combination for regulating deficiency-cold hiccups. Shi Di's action is descending qi and stopping hiccups — targeting the reversed stomach qi; Ding Xiang's action is warming the middle and descending the reversal — warming the spleen and stomach and driving out the cold inside. Combined, Ding Xiang's stomach-warming, cold-dispersing action assists Shi Di in descending the qi better, while Shi Di's qi-descending action lets Ding Xiang's yang-warming effect flow more smoothly — avoiding the qi blockage caused by cold retention. It fits the hiccups of spleen-stomach deficiency-cold — shown as the stomach area fearing cold when hiccuping, liking hot water, and slightly cold hands and feet. To emphasize: this pairing needs the physician's pattern diagnosis — do not use it on your own for all types of hiccups.

Modern Research

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

1. Main Chemical Constituents

Modern research shows that the main constituents detected in Shi Di are triterpenoid compounds, flavonoid compounds, and organic acids, plus a small amount of volatile oils. These constituents are natural substances the plant itself contains. In in vitro experiments, some triterpenoid substances may have a certain regulating effect on smooth-muscle contraction; in animal experiments, after feeding animals the Shi Di extract, the gastric emptying speed improved to a degree — but such experimental results cannot be directly equated with clinical efficacy, and no clear conclusion has been reached in human clinical research.

2. Current Research Directions

Current research on Shi Di mainly focuses on two directions:

Its regulation of the digestive-tract smooth muscle — exploring whether it can ease the spasm of the smooth muscle.
Its anti-inflammatory activity — observing whether it can ease the stomach-qi reversal caused by gastrointestinal inflammation.

However, most of this research is at the laboratory stage — more human studies are still needed to verify its actual regulating effect.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Lab results are not clinical efficacy — animal and in vitro results cannot be directly applied to humans.
Extracts and monomers are not the same as traditional slices — the laboratory uses high-concentration extracts, while daily medicine uses regular-dose slices — the action intensity differs greatly.
Doses and preparation methods vary between studies — some experiments use dried powder, some use water decoctions — the results lack a unified reference standard.
A single component does not define the whole herb — Shi Di's action is the joint result of many constituents — a single class of constituents cannot represent the whole herb's full effect.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Share

Choosing Ding Xiang as the similar herb, the two share three main points:

Both have the main action of descending qi, regulating the reversed stomach qi.
Both can be used for the traditional patterns of hiccups from spleen-stomach disharmony.
Both may appear in the formulas or food-therapy scenes for deficiency-cold gastrointestinal discomfort — and both need the constitution and dose considered in use.

2. The Key Differences: Shi Di vs. Ding Xiang

Nature and flavors: Shi Di is neutral with bitter and astringent flavors — gentle, neither cold nor hot; Ding Xiang is warm with an acrid flavor — leaning warm-hot.
Focus: Shi Di's core is descending qi and stopping hiccups — leaning to "stop," acting directly on easing the hiccup symptom; Ding Xiang's core is warming the middle and descending the reversal — leaning to "warm," improving the root cause of the hiccups by warming the spleen and stomach.
Qi tendency: Shi Di's tendency leans to "astringe" — pulling the reversed stomach qi down without over-pushing the qi; Ding Xiang's tendency leans to "disperse" — driving the cold out of the spleen and stomach and pushing the qi back to normal operation.
Best fit: Shi Di fits ordinary hiccups — such as the hiccups from catching cold or improper diet — without marked fear of cold or fever; Ding Xiang fits the hiccups of heavier deficiency-cold — such as the stomach area fearing cold when hiccuping, liking hot water, and cold hands and feet.
Not suitable: Shi Di — not for the hiccups of stomach-fire reversal, shown as a bitter mouth, bad breath, and dry stool; Ding Xiang — not for those with vigorous stomach fire or yin-deficiency internal heat, shown as a dry mouth and tongue, tidal heat, and night sweats.
Use scenes: Shi Di often serves the regulation of daily light discomfort — such as the hiccups after eating cold persimmons — boiled in water alone; Ding Xiang appears more in formula combinations or the cases needing other herbs — rarely used alone for daily regulation.

3. One-Sentence Summary

Simply put, Shi Di leans toward gently stopping the hiccups, whereas Ding Xiang leans toward warming the spleen and stomach to improve the deficiency-cold discomfort. Both can be used for hiccup regulation, but they are not interchangeable.

Classical Formulas Containing Shi Di

Classic Formula 1: Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang (Clove-Persimmon-Calyx Decoction)

Combination logic: In this formula, Shi Di is one of the main herbs — the minister; Ding Xiang is the lord; Sheng Jiang is the assistant; Ren Shen is the courier. It mainly solves the hiccups of spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with stomach-qi reversal: Ding Xiang warms the stomach and disperses cold, Shi Di descends the qi and stops hiccups, Sheng Jiang assists in warming the stomach, and Ren Shen tonifies the upright qi of the spleen and stomach — together regulating the deficiency-cold hiccups. Working with the other herbs, Shi Di keeps Ding Xiang's warm-heat from being too fierce, and keeps Ren Shen's tonifying from blocking the qi. Shi Di cannot be used alone, because a single Shi Di lacks the stomach-warming, cold-dispersing force to solve the root problem of deficiency-cold.

Traditional use: traditionally for the intractable hiccups of the spleen-stomach deficiency-cold type — shown as repeated hiccups, the stomach area fearing cold, and cold hands and feet.

Modern note: modern clinical use requires the doctor's pattern diagnosis and standard care — do not self-apply just because the formula name relates to a certain disease.

Classic Formula 2: Shi Di San (Persimmon-Calyx Powder)

Combination logic: In this formula, Shi Di is the lord — the main regulating herb; Chen Pi is the minister; Hou Po is the assistant; Gan Cao is the courier. It mainly solves the hiccups of food accumulation with stomach-qi reversal: Shi Di descends the qi and stops hiccups, Chen Pi regulates the qi and harmonizes the stomach, and Hou Po resolves the accumulation and guides the stagnation — helping restore the spleen-stomach transport function. Working with the other herbs, Shi Di both stops the hiccups and solves the food-accumulation problem causing them. Shi Di cannot be used alone, because a single Shi Di lacks the accumulation-resolving force to fully improve the discomfort of food accumulation.

Traditional use: traditionally for the food-accumulation-type hiccups — shown as stomach fullness when hiccuping, poor appetite, and unsmooth stool.

Modern note: modern clinical use requires the doctor's pattern diagnosis and standard care — do not self-apply just because the formula name relates to a certain disease.

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

A formula is many herbs acting together, attending to both the root and the symptoms through the lord-minister-assistant-courier combination, achieving overall regulation; a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effect, because a single herb's action is single and cannot cover the synergy of the many herbs in a formula. The doses and combinations in a formula are holistic — each herb's dose is adjusted to the pattern and cannot be casually increased or decreased. Do not build formulas from online articles, because online articles often do not consider the individual's specific pattern — improper use can easily occur. The common misunderstanding: a herb that works in a formula does not mean taking it alone produces the same effect — a formula's action is the synergy of many herbs, and a single herb's force is limited.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Tea

Tea — Shi Di Sheng Jiang Yin (Persimmon-Calyx and Ginger Drink): raw Shi Di 3 g, Sheng Jiang 2 slices. Wash the raw Shi Di, slice the Sheng Jiang thinly, put both into a cup, steep in boiling water, cover 10 minutes, and drink. Suited to the mild hiccups after catching cold or eating cold food — without marked stomach discomfort. Not for those with vigorous stomach fire or a dry mouth and tongue, or those allergic to Sheng Jiang or Shi Di. Suggested: 2–3 times a week; do not drink continuously every day, to avoid over-regulating. Note: Shi Di is a medicinal slice, not an ordinary food — do not increase the dose casually, and do not turn it into a daily snack or ordinary drink.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

The raw Shi Di is the common form — use it directly; no special decocting handling is needed — no pre-boiling, late addition, bag-boiling, or dissolving. The basic home decoction method: wash the raw Shi Di, add proper clean water, soak 15 minutes, then simmer over low heat for 10–15 minutes, and drink the juice. Different forms cannot be converted directly — the dose in a prescription is for illness regulation, while the dose in food therapy is for daily light discomfort — the doses differ greatly and cannot be applied to each other.

3. Dosage and Course

The common dose in traditional prescriptions is 3–10 g, adjusted to the specific pattern. The difference between the food-therapy and medicinal doses: the food-therapy dose is usually 3–5 g for daily light regulation; the medicinal dose is 6–10 g for improving marked discomfort. Long-term continuous use is not advised — the general regulation course is 3–5 days; if the symptoms do not ease, stop and consult a physician. The dose for special groups needs the physician's or pharmacist's advice — do not adjust the dose on your own.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Specific constitutions or traditional patterns: the hiccups of stomach-fire reversal — shown as a bitter mouth, bad breath, and dry stool — and those with yin-deficiency internal heat — shown as a dry mouth and tongue, tidal heat, and night sweats — using Shi Di may worsen the discomfort.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — special body state — consult a physician before use, to avoid affecting oneself or the health of the fetus or infant.
Children and the elderly — weaker body function — the dose must be strictly controlled and used under a physician's guidance; do not self-take.
Liver or kidney impairment — weaker drug metabolism — consult a physician before use, to avoid adding burden to the liver and kidneys.
Allergy to Shi Di or Ebenaceae plants — avoid use, to prevent allergic reactions.
Those in special treatment — such as those taking anticoagulants or blood-pressure medications — consult a physician first, to avoid drug interactions.

2. Interactions and Diet Notes

Shi Di currently has no clear drug-interaction reports, but those taking anticoagulants, blood-pressure medications, or glucose-lowering medications should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use, to avoid affecting drug absorption or metabolism. There is no sufficient evidence of a general "food clash" between ordinary foods, but certain herbs can interact with specific drugs — those on medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist first, and do not blindly pair other herbs or foods.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risk

Shi Di's action is gentle — adverse reactions are rare at normal doses, but overuse may cause stomach fullness and nausea. If marked discomfort, allergy signs (such as rash and itching), persistent vomiting, breathing difficulty, altered consciousness, or rapidly worsening symptoms appear, stop at once and seek medical care — do not delay the illness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shi Di

What is Shidi? Is it the same as Dingxiang or Xuanfuhua?

Shidi is the dried persistent calyx of Diospyros kaki, Latin name Kaki Calyx. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on descending qi to stop hiccups. Dingxiang warms the middle and descends counterflow to stop vomiting. Xuanfuhua descends qi and transforms phlegm. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Shidi. Caution in qi deficiency with sinking.

What are the composition and effects of Shidi?

Pharmacopoeial name Shidi, Latin Diospyros kaki Thunb. Bitter and astringent in taste, neutral in nature, enters the Stomach meridian. Functions to descend counterflow and stop hiccups. Used for hiccups. Descends qi and stops hiccups.

How to choose between raw and processed? Can Dingxiang replace it?

Persistent calyx is used raw. Dingxiang emphasizes warming the middle rather than strongly stopping hiccups, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.

What is the dosage of Shidi? Can it be used daily as a hiccup-stopping tea?

Decoction, 5-10g. Modern use requires physician-determined dosage. It is not a year-round "Shidi tea." Qi deficiency with sinking will be further injured by prolonged use. Hiccups require short-term, physician-determined dosage and cannot replace evaluation.

What are the contraindications of Shidi? Can pregnant women use it?

Not suitable for qi deficiency with sinking. Pregnant women require physician evaluation. Stop if fatigue or loose stools occur. Seek immediate medical care for severe hiccups or high fever.

Can Shidi descend qi and stop hiccups?

It can assist various patterns of hiccups. It descends counterflow and stops hiccups, but is not a specific remedy for all hiccups.

Can Shidi be taken daily as a hiccup-stopping tea?

Stomach qi counterflow can be used short-term in formulas; qi deficiency with sinking will be further injured. The idea that "Shidi must stop hiccups" cannot replace evaluation. Descending qi and stopping hiccups requires physician-determined formulation and dosage.

How to choose between Shidi, Dingxiang, Xuanfuhua, Shengjiang, and Daizheshi?

Shidi descends counterflow and stops hiccups, suited to hiccups. Dingxiang warms the middle and stops vomiting. Xuanfuhua descends qi and transforms phlegm. Shengjiang warms the middle and stops vomiting. Daizheshi calms the liver and subdues yang. Choose Shidi for stopping hiccups; Dingxiang for warming the middle; Xuanfuhua for transforming phlegm; Shengjiang for dispersing cold; Daizheshi for subduing yang. Pattern differentiation applies, but large doses of Shidi are contraindicated in qi deficiency with sinking.

How is Shidi commonly modified? What is a representative usage?

Modifications depend on the pattern. Add Dingxiang for hiccups; add Renshen for qi deficiency. Specify Shidi; do not substitute Dingxiang in equal amounts for stopping hiccups.

How to select and store Shidi?

Choose regular Chinese medicinal materials with intact calyces. Discard if moldy, damp, or abnormal in odor. Store in a dry place. Purchase "Shidi"; do not substitute Dingxiang or Xuanfuhua in equal amounts for descending qi and stopping hiccups.

Related Products

Nong's Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx) Single Herb 5:1 Concentrated Granules $50.03

Hoi Tin Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx and Receptacle) Single Herb 10:1 Concentrated Granules, 100 g TCM Herbal Supplement

Hoi Tin Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx and Receptacle) Single Herb 10:1 Concentrated Granules $25.26

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.