Ziziphi Spinosae Semen Preparatum
Aliases：Chǎo Zǎo Rén (Stir-fried Jujube Seed)
Chǎo Suān Zǎo Rén (Stir-fried Sour Jujube Seed) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the processed product of the dried ripe seed of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chou, a plant of the Rhamnaceae family, after stir-frying.
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes the heart and calms the mind, and astringes sweat.
Indications
Used for insomnia, palpitations with excessive dreaming, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats due to deficiency. It is also used for neurasthenia and menopausal syndrome with restlessness.
Modern Pharmacology
Sedative and Hypnotic: Exhibits significant sedative and hypnotic effects, prolonging sleep duration. Antidepressant and Anticonvulsant: Regulates central nervous system functions. Memory Improvement: Enhances learning and memory abilities. Cardiovascular Protection: Shows anti-myocardial ischemia, antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and anti-platelet aggregation effects. Immunomodulation: Enhances immune function. Antitumor Activity: Studies suggest certain antitumor activity.
Ingredients
After stir-frying, the main types of chemical components in Suanzaoren remain largely unchanged, but the content of jujuboside A and B increases. The main constituents include triterpenoid saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 10–15g; it may also be ground into powder and taken 1–1.5g per dose.
Contraindications
Not suitable for use alone in large amounts in patients with loose stools: Its moistening nature may worsen diarrhea. Not suitable for patients with insomnia due to phlegm, food stagnation, or liver qi depression transforming into fire. Elderly patients and infants should not take it in large amounts long-term. Use with caution in individuals with allergies: Allergic reactions such as urticaria, generalized pruritus, chills, fever, and joint pain may occur in rare cases.
Selected Formulas
Guī Pí Tāng (from Ji Sheng Fang) Ingredients: Baizhu (White Atractylodes), Danggui (Angelica Root), Fuling (Poria), stir-fried Huangqi (Astragalus), Longan Aril (Lóng Yǎn Ròu), Yuanzhi (Polygala Root), stir-fried Suanzaoren (Sour Jujube Seed), Renshen (Ginseng), Muxiang (Costus Root), roasted Gancao (Licorice), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), and Dazao (Jujube Date). Efficacy: Tonifies qi and blood, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes the heart. Indications: Heart-spleen deficiency with qi-blood deficiency, and spleen failing to control blood. Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān (from Jiao Zhu Fu Ren Liang Fang) Ingredients: Renshen (Ginseng), Fuling (Poria), Xuanshen (Figwort Root), Danshen (Salvia Root), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Yuanzhi (Polygala Root), Danggui (Angelica Root), Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), Maidong (Ophiopogon Root), Tiandong (Asparagus Root), Baiziren (Biota Seed), stir-fried Suanzaoren (Sour Jujube Seed), and Shengdi (Rehmannia Root). Efficacy: Nourishes yin, clears heat, and calms the mind. Indications: Yin deficiency with blood depletion and mental restlessness.
Daily Consumption
Pairing with Baiziren (Biota Seed): Stir-fried Suanzaoren nourishes the heart and calms the mind, while Baiziren nourishes blood and calms the spirit. Combined, they enhance the calming effect and are often used for palpitations and insomnia due to heart-liver blood deficiency. Pairing with Fuxiaomai (Light Wheat): Stir-fried Suanzaoren nourishes the heart and astringes sweat, while Fuxiaomai stops sweating. Together, they enhance the effect of nourishing the heart and astringing sweat, and are often used for spontaneous and night sweats due to deficient heat. Suanzaoren Congee: Take 10g of stir-fried Suanzaoren (crushed), decoct in 1500ml water until 1000ml remains, strain, add 100g of rice, and cook into congee. Season with a little salt. Suitable for restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, and spontaneous sweating. Longan and Suanzaoren Congee: 15g each of Longan aril and Suanzaoren, 35g of Gorgon fruit, and an appropriate amount of rice. Cook together to make a congee. Suitable for insomnia and palpitations due to deficiency fire disturbing the heart-spleen. Suanzaoren Tea: 10g of stir-fried Suanzaoren, an appropriate amount of sugar. Crush the Suanzaoren, put it in a covered bowl, pour in boiling water, steep for 15–20 minutes, then add sugar and drink. Calms the mind and promotes sleep, suitable for patients with neurasthenia and insomnia due to deficiency restlessness. Longan and Suanzaoren Tea: 8g of stir-fried Suanzaoren, 15g of Longan aril. Crush the Suanzaoren, place it together with the Longan aril in a cup, pour in boiling water, steep for 15 minutes, and drink. Calms the mind, nourishes blood, and promotes sleep, suitable for those with neurasthenia, insomnia, palpitations, and memory decline.
Medicinal Parts
The processed product of the dried ripe seed after stir-frying.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry, airtight container in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.