Zizyphus Sleep Formula
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Kan Traditionals
Supplements Blood, calms the Shen and Ethereal Soul (Hun), clears Heat, calms irritability, benefits sleep.
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- Herb: Dry fried sour jujube seed, Sichuan lovage rhizome, Poria, Anemarrhena rhizome, Chinese licorice root and rhizome
- Herb (Pinyin): Chao suan zao ren, Chuan xiong, Fu ling, Zhi mu, Gan cao
- Pattern: Liver and Heart Blood deficiency, Liver and Heart Yin deficiency, Deficiency Heat
- Actions: Supplements Blood, calms the Etheral Soul (Po) and Spirit (Shen), Clear Heat, Calm Spirit (Shen), benefits sleep
- Indications: Supports emotional wellbeing, Occasional dizziness, Supports healthy water metabolism, Supports restful sleep, Occasional night sweating, Menopausal patterns accompanied by occasional sleep disturbances and irritability
- Contraindications: Caution with Spleen Qi deficiency.
- Tongue: Pale red and dry.
- Pulse: Wiry and thready, possibly rapid.
Zizyphus Sleep Formula is based on Sour Jujube Decoction (Suan Zao Ren Tang), a classical formula addressing Liver Blood deficiency, with deficiency Heat. When the Liver is deficient, so is the Blood, leading to stasis that can manifest as Heart not being able to store Shen and Liver not regulating the Ethereal Soul. Deficient Liver Blood leads to Fire from constraint which moves upward in the chest and disturbs the Heart, contributing to the rising of the Yang. This rising is experienced as an occasional inability to fall asleep and occasional dizziness. Heart Blood and Yin deficiency manifests as occasional irritability, occasional anxiety, night sweats and palpitations, and compounds the occasional inability to sleep.
Zizyphus Sleep Formula nourishes the Liver, Heart Blood and Yin, calms the Ethereal Soul (Hun) and Shen and clears deficiency Heat. It is useful for menopausal women, older individuals, and overworked or deficient individuals who experience occasional sleep disturbances and irritability. Its calming effect supports a healthy, tranquil mind.
A large portion of the formula is comprised of dry fried Sour jujube seed, a gentle herb that nourishes Heart Yin, augments Liver Blood, quiets the Shen and supports restful sleep. It addresses occasional irritability and insomnia with occasional anxiety due to either deficient Blood that is unable to nourish the Heart, or Yin deficiency with upward flaring Fire. It also warms the Middle to facilitate water metabolism and restrains the Qi. The deputy, Sichuan lovage rhizome, invigorates Blood and moves the Qi. It combines with dry fried Sour jujube seed to nourish and regulate the Liver while calming the Shen.
Poria tonifies the Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Burner, supports healthy urination, quiets the Heart and calms the Shen. Anemarrhena rhizome clears heat, drains Fire, enriches the Yin, protects the Stomach from dryness, generates fluids, and soothes the Ethereal Soul (Hun) Chinese licorice root and rhizome supplements the Spleen, augments the Qi, clears Heat, moderates and harmonizes the characteristics of the other herbs in the formula. It supports dry fried Sour jujube seed to help pacify the Liver, calm occasional irritability and moderate the scattering function of Sichuan lovage rhizome.
Formulas addressing similar patterns include: Peaceful Sleep addresses occasional insomnia due to an unsettled Shen and Heat in the Heart with underlying Blood deficiency. Celestial Emperor’s Blend addresses Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency, or Heart and Kidney not communicating. Rescue the Spirit addresses Phlegm that is clouding the Heart orifice with underlying Blood, Qi and Yin deficiency. Compassionate Sage calms the Shen and strengthens Heart Qi. Gather Vitality calms the Shen, tonifies Blood and strengthens Spleen Qi.
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Jin Gui Yao Lui, Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, Zhang Zhong-Jing, 219 C.E.