The seeds are known as Nu Zhen Zi (female chastity seed) in traditional Chinese medicine and are believed to nourish Liver and Kidney yin and jing in the treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo (dizziness), premature graying of the hair, and soreness/weakness of the lower back and knees. Through their function of nourishing the Liver, they are also used in the treatment of disorders of the eye involving red or dry eyes, blurred vision, and pain. The active effects are believed to come from the chemical constituents of the seeds, oleanolic acid, nuzhenide, and ligustroside. In studies of lab animals, the herb extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective properties. Chen, John (2012). Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc. pp. 962–963. ISBN 0974063509