ZIZYPHUS DECOCTION
Suan Zao Ren Tang
‘Zizyphus Decoction’
Source: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Yao Lue, 200)
Keywords
insomnia and neurosis
Ingredients
Zizyphus spinoza (Suan Zao Ren, spine date seed)
Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gan Cao, liquorice)
Anemarrhena aspheloides (Zhi Mu, anemarrhena)
Poria cocos (Fu Ling, hoelen)
Ligusticum walichii (Chuan
Xiong, ligusticum)
Major therapeutic action
Nourishes Blood, calms shen, clears Heat, relieves restlessness.
Sedative, hypnotic.
Indications
• Yin deficiency and Internal Heat due to Liver Blood deficiency.
• With the appropriate key symptoms, this formula can be used to treat biomedical conditions such as insomnia and neurosis.
Key symptoms for use
• palpitation
• night sweating
• dizziness
• vertigo
• dry mouth and throat
• fine and wiry pulse
None noted.
The typical dose is three grams twice daily, before meals. In severe cases or the early stages of treatment (the first two weeks), a 50-100% increase in dose may be used, then reduced as the treatment takes effect.
Combinations
• For agitated sleep with disturbing dreams, terrifying dreams, palpitations, a pale tongue body, and a fine-wiry pulse (Xi Xian), use Dang Shen or Long Gu
• For concurrent Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency, use Gui Pi Tang
• For night sweating, use Mu Li, Wu Wei Zi or Bai Zi Ren
• For severe Empty-Heat with nervous breakdown, restlessness and insomnia, use Chuan Xiong, Han Lian Cao, Nu Zhen Zi or Bai Shao Yao
• For severe palpitations, use Long Qi or Mu Li