The Spine Date Seed or Chinese Sleeping Elixir,What is Semen Ziziphi Spinosa?

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Name Identification.

Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Extract INCI Name Zizyphus Jujuba Extract CAS 90045-99-1 EINECS ELINCS No 289-966-4 Spine Date Seed jujuboside A jujuboside B betulinic acid photo picture image Zizyphus refers to the seed of Zizyphus jujuba, var. spinosa, often labeled simply as Zizyphus spinosa.

 The Chinese name for the herb is suanzaoren [suan = sour; zao = date; ren = seed; hence, seed of the sour date], or just zaoren.

 This herb is related to the one commonly called jujube, which comes from the fruit of Zizyphus jujuba; the Chinese name for jujube is dazao (da = large; a smaller, red variety is called hongzao; hong = red).

 Both zizyphus and jujube are said to have sedative properties, with zizyphus being the primary sedative derived from a plant in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine (the mineral cinnabar has long been relied upon as a sedative).

 The Shennong Bencao Jing (ca. 100 A.D.) includes a description of zizyphus:

 Zizyphus is sour and balanced [in nature; being neither too warming or cooling, but combining both warming and cooling effects]. It mainly treats heart and abdominal cold and heat and evil binding qi, aching, pain in the limbs, and damp impediment. Protracted taking may quiet the five viscera, make the body light, and prolong life. It grows in rivers and swamps.

 The reference to "protracted taking" and the resulting beneficial effects refers to the practices of the Taoists seeking immortality, and is a formulaic presentation rather than providing any specific information about the herb. The main indications provided here are the herb's balanced nature and its ability to treat problems of the heart, including cold, heat, and bound qi.

 A typical modern presentation of the indications for zizyphus is this one from Chinese-English Manual of Commonly Used Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine: "1. Nourish the heart, benefit the liver, and tranquilize the mind; 2. Stop sweating." The latter indication is relied on when treating insomnia accompanied by night sweating, as commonly occurs with menopausal insomnia and insomnia associated with prolonged feverish diseases (i.e., consumptive diseases).

 Zizyphus seeds are usually stir-fried prior to use; the seeds are turned rapidly in a hot wok and then allowed to cool in straw baskets(See pictures). The fried herb is said to be especially useful for nourishing the liver blood, calming the spirit, and stopping sweating; the raw herb may be used to drain the liver and gallbladder; it also calms the spirit, but is less nourishing. Pharmacology evaluations indicate that both the raw and fried seed have similar sedative actions. The reference in the ancient literature to the sour taste of the herb depicts the fruit pulp; the seed itself is deemed sweet, in fact, the taste is relatively bland.

 Zizyphus is probably best known in the system of ancient Chinese medicine for its key role in the formula Suanzaoren Tang (Zizyphus Combination) of the Jingui Yaolue (220 A.D.). In that text, the formula is described simply as follows: "Zizyphus Combination treats weakness fatigue, and distress due to weakness, which causes insomnia." Zizyphus is the main ingredient of the formula both in terms of the quantity used and its central action for the treatment of deficiency and insomnia, which are the formula's main indications. Even today, if one discusses sedative formulas with prominent physicians in China, this formula is mentioned as being particularly effective; in books about using traditional formulas, Zizyphus Combination is among the first to be listed.

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citations1.The Spine Date Seed or Chinese Sleeping Elixir,What is Semen Ziziphi Spinosa?

last edit date:26th,May.2009.