About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
Persimmon calyx is the dried cap-like structure from the top of persimmon fruit. It is the most widely used herb in Chinese medicine for stopping persistent hiccups. Its bitter, astringent nature helps push the stomach's Qi back downward when it is rebelling upward, which is the root cause of hiccups in TCM thinking. It has a neutral temperature, meaning it works for both cold and hot types of hiccups depending on what it is combined with.
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Hiccup
- Directs Stomach Qi downward
How These Actions Work*
'Descends rebellious Qi and stops hiccups' is the primary and most specific action of Shi Di. In TCM, the Stomach's natural direction of Qi movement is downward. When this function is disrupted, Qi surges upward instead, producing hiccups (呃逆, è nì), belching, or nausea. Shi Di's bitter and astringent properties give it a strong descending and anchoring quality that redirects this rebellious Qi back downward. It is considered the single most specific herb for stopping hiccups regardless of whether the underlying cause is Cold or Heat, earning it the classical title of 'essential herb for stopping hiccups' (止呃要药). For Cold-type hiccups, it is paired with warming herbs like Ding Xiang (Clove) and fresh ginger. For Heat-type hiccups, it is combined with cooling herbs like Zhu Ru (Bamboo shavings) and Lu Gen (Reed root).
'Directs Stomach Qi downward' is the broader mechanism behind Shi Di's anti-hiccup action. Because it enters the Stomach channel and has a descending nature, it can also help with belching (噫气) and mild nausea related to upward-rebelling Stomach Qi. Its neutral temperature means it does not add Heat or Cold, making it a versatile building block that adapts to the accompanying herbs in a formula.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Shi Di is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why Shi Di addresses this pattern
When the Stomach loses its natural descending function, Qi rebels upward, producing hiccups, belching, nausea, or vomiting. Shi Di directly addresses this pathomechanism through its bitter, astringent, and descending properties. Its bitter taste promotes downward movement, while its astringent quality anchors and stabilizes the Qi, preventing it from surging upward repeatedly. Because Shi Di is neutral in temperature, it treats the Qi rebellion itself without adding Heat or Cold, making it adaptable to both Cold and Heat presentations when combined with appropriate partner herbs.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Persistent or intractable hiccups that do not resolve on their own
Frequent belching from upward-rebelling Stomach Qi
Nausea or mild vomiting due to Stomach Qi failing to descend
Why Shi Di addresses this pattern
When Cold invades the Stomach or the Stomach's Yang is deficient, the Cold constricts and disrupts the Stomach's normal descending movement. Qi is forced upward, producing persistent hiccups that worsen with cold food or drink and improve with warmth. Shi Di's strong descending action redirects the rebellious Qi downward. Although Shi Di itself is neutral and does not warm the Stomach, it is the essential descending component in formulas like Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang, where it works alongside warming herbs (Ding Xiang, Sheng Jiang) that dispel the Cold while Shi Di anchors the Qi back into its proper downward path.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Hiccups that worsen after cold foods or drinks and improve with warmth
Nausea or vomiting with preference for warm drinks
TCM Properties*
Neutral
Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)
Other
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.