Zizyphus Sleep Formula
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Kan Traditionals
Supplements Blood, calms the Shen and Ethereal Soul (Hun), clears Heat, calms irritability, benefits sleep.
- 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 peaceful 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), the classical formula for Liver Blood deficiency with deficiency Heat. The Liver stores the Blood and the Blood houses the Ethereal Soul (Hun). When Liver Blood is insufficient, the Hun loses its anchor and the Heart cannot properly store the Shen. Over time, deficiency gives rise to Heat that rises into the chest and disturbs the Heart, contributing to ascending Yang. Clinically this shows up as occasional difficulty falling asleep and occasional dizziness. Accompanying Heart Blood and Yin deficiency adds occasional irritability and anxiety, night sweats and palpitations, which further disrupt sleep.
The formula nourishes Liver Blood and Heart Blood and Yin, calms the Hun and Shen, and clears deficiency Heat. It is well suited to menopausal women, older adults, and overworked or depleted individuals with occasional sleeplessness and irritability, and it supports a calm, settled mind.
Formula Composition
Dry-fried Sour jujube seed (Suan Zao Ren) makes up the largest share of the formula. Sweet, sour and gentle, it nourishes Heart Yin, augments Liver Blood and quiets the Shen to support restful sleep. It addresses occasional sleeplessness, irritability and anxiety whether they come from Blood too deficient to nourish the Heart or from Yin deficiency with upward-flaring Fire. Its sour, astringent nature also helps restrain night sweating.
Sichuan lovage rhizome (Chuan Xiong) invigorates Blood and moves Qi. Paired with Sour jujube seed, it combines nourishing with regulating: one replenishes the Liver, the other keeps it from stagnating, and together they calm the Shen.
Poria (Fu Ling) strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Burner, promotes healthy urination and quiets the Heart and Shen. Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhi Mu) clears Heat, drains Fire, enriches Yin, generates fluids and protects the Stomach from dryness, soothing the Hun. Chinese licorice root and rhizome (Gan Cao) supplements the Spleen, augments Qi, clears Heat and harmonizes the formula. It also joins Sour jujube seed in pacifying the Liver and easing irritability, and it moderates the dispersing quality of Sichuan lovage.
Related Kan Formulas
- Peaceful Sleep: occasional sleeplessness from an unsettled Shen and Heart Heat with underlying Blood deficiency.
- Celestial Emperor’s Blend: Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency, or Heart and Kidney failing to communicate.
- Rescue the Spirit: Phlegm misting the Heart orifice with underlying Qi, Blood 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
Suan Zao Ren Tang is recorded in Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Yao Lüe) by Zhang Zhong-Jing, c. 220 C.E.