Suan Zao Ren Tang

(Sour Jujube Decoction)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit

Pattern:

• Liver Blood Deficiency with Heat from Deficiency

Actions:

• Nourishes Liver and Heart blood Nourishes Yin. Clears deficient heat and calms the spirit.

Indications:

• Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, inability to or difficulty in falling asleep, palpitations, night sweats, dizziness, vertigo, thirst, dry mouth and throat

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Dry and red tongue with little coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Wiry, then, and rapid pulse

Western Uses:

• Insomnia
• Neurasthenia

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Do not use in cases of insomnia due to Phlegm-Heat

Preparation Notes:

• Decoction.

Originally Appeared In:

• Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Yao Lue)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Spleen, Heart, Gall Bladder, Liver, Lungs, Stomach, Kidneys, Pericardium

Substances in this Formula (5 Total):

	Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed, Zizyphus - Raw Herb Shown) 酸枣仁 Qty: 15-18 grams Chan: GB, HT, LIV, SP Prop: Sweet, Sour, Neutral Latin: Semen Zizyphi Spinosae Cat: Herbs that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit
	Fu Ling (Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, China Root, Poria, Hoelen) 茯苓 Qty: 6 grams Chan: HT, SP, LU Prop: Sweet, Bland, Neutral Latin: Scierotium Poriae Cocos Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) 知母 Qty: 6 grams Chan: LU, ST, KI Prop: Bitter, Cold Latin: Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Aspheloidis Cat: Herbs that Drain Fire
	Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root) 川芎 Qty: 6 grams Chan: LIV, GB, PER Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong Cat: Herbs that Invigorate Blood and Remove Stagnation
	Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 甘草 Qty: 3 grams Chan: All 12 (Primarily the LU, HT, SP, ST) Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition) - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition) - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition) - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition) - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article) - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition) - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition) - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition) - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist. Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.