Tranquilizing Herbs
Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Seed)
Naming
Bai Zi Ren(Semen Platycladi)——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)
The Processing of Semen Platycladi
Origin
The dry ripe kernel of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco of family Cupressaceae.
Location
Most places of China.
Harvest
Collected ripe seeds in autumn and winter.
The actual smell and taste
Slightly fragrant smell, light taste.
Best quality
Full shape, yellowish white color, without seeping oil and no outer shells.
Processing
Dried in the sun, crushed episperm, removed outer shells, obtained kernels; unprocessed or stir-baked or made into frost-like powder.
The Effect of Semen Platycladi
Property
Sweet, neutral; liver and large intestine meridians entered.
Actions
Tonify heart and induce tranquilization, moisten intestines for relaxing bowels.
Indications
A. Syndrome of unsteadiness of heart-mind
It has actions of tonifying heart and inducing tranquilization, so it is commonly indicated for palpitation, fearful throbbing, restlessness due to deficiency, insomnia, dizziness, amnesia due to heart yin-blood deficiency and heart-mind loss of nourishment. For restlessness due to deficiency, insomnia, fright palpitations, night sweat due to qi and yin deficiency, it is often combined with Ren Shen, Wu Wei Zi and Mai Dong, etc. For palpitation, upset, insomnia, amnesia, seminal emission due to disharmony between heart and kidney, it is often combined with kidney-tonifying and heart-nourishing herbs and herbs restoring normal coordination between heart and kidney. For instance, it is combined with Gou Qi Zi, Shu Di Huang and Shi Chang Pu, etc. in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan from Ti Ren Hui Bian (Collection of Benevolent Treatment Experiences).
B. Constipation caused by intestinal dryness
It can moisten intestines for relaxing bowels because of its moist and oily characteristics, so it is fit for intestinal dryness constipation due to deficiency of yin-blood, fluid insufficiency of old people or blood deficiency after parturition. For instance, it is often combined with intestines-moistening for relaxing bowels herbs, such as Yu Li Ren, Tao Ren and Ku Xing Ren, etc.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 10~20 g.
Cautions
It should be used with cautions for patients with loose stool or profuse phlegm.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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