Single Herb Glossary
Suān Zǎo Rén 酸棗仁
| Pharmaceutical name | Ziziphi spinosae Semen spiny zizyphus seeds, sour jujube seed, zizyphus "sour date seed" |
| Category | Calm the Spirit |
| Key Properties | Nourishes the Heart Yin & Liver Blood Promotes sleep Inhibits sweating |
| Properties | Sweet Sour Neutral |
| Tropism | GB, HT, LV, SP |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Nourish HT Yin, Augment LV Blood, & Quiets the Spirit (Hun) 2) Prevents Abnormal Sweating |
| Dosages | 9-15g (crushed) |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Insomnia from excess Heat or hot Phlegm accumulation; Use with caution in cases of severe diarrhea or heat from excess; caution with pregnancy, stimulates contraction of uterus |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Jujuboside, betulin, betulinic acid, jujubogenin, ebetinlaetone, zivulgarin, spinosin, swertisin, ceanothic acid, alphitolic acid |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Sedative and hypnotic: associated with sedative and hypnotic effect in mice, rats, cats, rabbits, dogs, and guinea pigs; reduces spontaneous activities in a dose-dependent fashion, prolongs sleeping time induced by barbiturates, reverses excitation caused by caffeine, and inhibits hyperactivity induced by morphine; both fresh and fried forms have demonstrated sedative and hypnotic effects with no statistically-significant differences between the two; jujuboside is considered by many to be main component responsible for sedative and hypnotic effects • Cardiovascular: decoction has negative chronotropic, positive inotropic and positive cardiotonic effects in frog heart specimens; clinically, treats arrhythmia caused by aconitine, chloroform, and barium chloride • Uterine stimulant: water extract has stimulating effect on smooth muscle and causes contraction of uterus • Analgesic: decoction 5 g/kg has marked analgesic effect in mice • Antipyretic: reduction in body temperature has been observed following oral ingestion of decoction at 40 g/kg in cats or 2.5 to 5.0 g/kg via intraperitoneal injection in rats |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Sedatives: herb has sedative and hypnotic effects; potentiates sedative effect of barbiturates, and reverses stimulating effect of caffeine; jujuboside is considered by many to be main component responsible for sedative and hypnotic effects |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.