Bai Zi Ren ( 柏子仁 ) ...Chinese Herb...
Bai Zi Ren is the dried seed of Biota Orientalis (L.) Endl., family Cupressaceae. This plant is also known as Platycladus Orientalis (L.) Franco.
Main ingredients
Rai Zi Ren contains fatty oils, volatile oils and saponins.

Properties
Taste: Sweet
Nature: neutral
Channels entered
Heart, Kidney and Large Intestine.
Functions and indications
Nourishes the Heart and quiets the Spirit, moistens the Intestines and frees the bowels, constrains Yin and Stops sweating.
It is indicated for deficiency vexation, insomnia, palpitations, night sweating due to Yin deficiency, and Intestinal dryness with constipation.
Common dosage
10-18g
Common Formulas Used In
Cerebral Tonic Pills; Ginseng and Zizyphus
Precautions and contraindications
Bai Zi Ren should be used with caution in cases of loose stool or copious sputum.
Comparison of functions
Both Bai Zi Ren (Semen Biotae Orientalis) and Suan Zao Ren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) are sweet and neutral and enter the Heart channel to nourish the Heart and quiet the Spirit. They are used to treat palpitations, fearful throbbing, insomnia and forgetfulness due to Yin and Blood deficiency and the Heart and Spirit being deprived of nourishment. They are often used in combination to enhance their effect.
Bai Zi Ren is effective in nourishing the Heart to quiet the Spirit and is mainly used for insomnia and palpitations due to the Blood failing to nourish the Heart. Being oily and moist, it can also moisten the Intestines and free the bowels to treat intestinal dryness with constipation. Suan Zao Ren has a stronger effect in quieting the Spirit. As it can nourish Heart Yin and Liver-Blood, it is mainly used for insomnia and palpitations due to Yin and Blood deficiency of the Heart and Liver. Being sour, it is also able to promote contraction to stop sweating and is often used for apontaneous sweating and night sweating.
Modern Research
- Slows the heart rate and has a tranquillizing function.
- The oils contained in Bai Zi Ren induce diarrhoea.
Notes Experiments have shown that Bai Zi Ren can sedate and inhibit
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