Summer Cypress Fruit Whole (Kochia Scoparia)

Summer Cypress Fruit Whole (Kochia scoparia) is the dried ripe fruit of the Summer Cypress plant, a classic herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) known as Di Fu Zi. For centuries, this small, lightweight seed has been prized for its damp-clearing, heat-reducing, and itch-relieving properties, especially for conditions affecting the skin and urinary system.

In TCM, Summer Cypress Fruit is described as sweet, bitter, and slightly cold, entering the Bladder channel. Its primary actions are to clear damp-heat from the lower burner, promote urination, and relieve itching. It is commonly used for urinary tract discomfort, difficult urination, burning sensations, and skin irritation such as eczema, rashes, or damp-heat sores. Decoctions made with Di Fu Zi are classic remedies for itching due to dampness, both internally and as external washes.

Folk herbalists have long used the fruit in baths, poultices, and washes to ease itchiness, swelling, and skin inflammation, especially in humid or hot climates. Internally, it is often combined with herbs like Poria (Fu Ling) or Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi) to support fluid metabolism, detoxification, and urinary flow.

Modern research has identified flavonoids, triterpenoids, and saponins in Kochia scoparia, compounds known for anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and antimicrobial effects. These active constituents help explain the herb’s strong traditional reputation for cooling skin inflammation, soothing itching, and supporting urinary comfort.

Each batch of Summer Cypress Fruit Whole (Kochia scoparia) is carefully harvested and shade-dried to preserve its natural color, lightweight texture, and medicinal potency. When decocted, it produces a mild, slightly bitter infusion used in heat-clearing teas, external washes, and urinary-support formulas.