The Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction) is originally recorded in the Jin Kui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) and is indicated for “deficiency heat and insomnia.” It consists of five ingredients: Shao Zao Ren (Suan Zao Ren, Sour Jujube Seed), Fu Ling (Poria), Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), and Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice). This formula has been used to treat symptoms such as blood deficiency, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, and spontaneous sweating.
Suan Zao Ren, as the name suggests, is the seed of the sour jujube, also known as Zao Ren (Jujube Seed), Shan Zao Ren (Mountain Jujube Seed), or Suan Zao Zi (Sour Jujube Fruit). It is harvested in late autumn to early winter when the fruit is ripe, the flesh and shell are removed, and the seeds are collected and dried. Suan Zao Ren is sweet and sour in nature, neutral in flavor, and enters the Gallbladder, Liver, and Heart meridians, possessing significant medicinal value. The earliest pharmacopoeia, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica), also records the efficacy of Suan Zao Ren, and it is similarly noted in Li Shizhen’s Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) from the Ming Dynasty.
Effects of Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren has excellent effects in stopping sweating, indicated for deficiency sweating and night sweats. One can grind equal parts of Suan Zao Ren, Ren Shen (Ginseng), and Fu Ling into a fine powder. Take one tablespoon mixed with rice soup three times a day, and usually, effects can be seen within three to five days of use.
Suan Zao Ren nourishes the blood and calms the spirit, making it particularly suitable for symptoms caused by deficiency of both the Heart and Spleen, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, insomnia with vivid dreams, and irritability. It has good efficacy for various types of insomnia and palpitations.
Suan Zao Ren calms the heart and spirit, and regulates the liver and qi, especially suitable for individuals with neurasthenia, frequent nightmares, and restlessness.
Suan Zao Ren enters the Heart and Liver meridians, has qi-nourishing, calming, and sedative effects, can soothe emotions, and is suitable for those suffering from menopausal syndrome or anxiety disorders.
Methods of Consuming Suan Zao Ren
Raw or stir-fried
Take 9-15 grams each time, decoct; or grind into powder and swallow, taking 1.5-2 grams each time. Stir-frying makes it brittle and easy to decoct the effective components, enhancing its efficacy. Suan Zao Ren can also be paired with other Chinese herbs to make soups or medicinal wines, providing excellent therapeutic effects.
Blood Nourishing and Calming Formula
Method of Consumption: Crush 15 grams of stir-fried Suan Zao Ren and combine with 6 grams each of Fu Ling, Zhi Mu, and Chuan Xiong, and 3 grams of Gan Cao to stew into a medicinal soup for consumption.
Efficacy: It can treat liver blood deficiency, lack of nourishment to the spirit, deficiency heat and irritability, palpitations, night sweats, dizziness, and dry throat and mouth; it can also be used to treat schizophrenia, neurasthenia, menopausal syndrome, and other diseases.
Formula for Night Sweats
Method of Consumption: Grind 15 grams of stir-fried Suan Zao Ren, along with 9 grams each of Dang Shen (Codonopsis) and Fu Ling, into powder, and take with rice soup or decoct with water.
Suan Zao Ren has a sour taste, which can stop sweating and treat deficiency sweating and night sweats. Additionally, Suan Zao Ren has a sour flavor that can astringe and generate fluids, treating thirst and dryness.
Formula for Improving Insomnia
Method of Consumption: Combine 50 grams of stir-fried Suan Zao Ren with 50 grams of rock sugar in a wide-mouthed bottle, add 600 milliliters of white liquor, seal, and store in a cool place. After about a month, open and filter out the residue, and the liquid can be bottled for drinking, taking 20-30 milliliters daily. The Suan Zao Ren wine has a calming effect, promotes sleep, and effectively improves sleep quality.
The ancient masters pointed out: Suan Zao Ren is known today primarily as a key medicine for the heart, specializing in calming the heart and stopping sweating. However, its nourishing liver and blood power is often overlooked. As stated in the Ben Cao Tu Jie (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica): “Suan Zao Ren has a sour taste and astringent nature, thus its main treatments are often in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. If the Liver is deficient, it injures the yin and causes restlessness; the Liver stores the soul, and when one sleeps, the soul returns to the Liver. If the Liver cannot store the soul, one cannot close their eyes. The sour taste of jujube seeds nourishes the Liver, thus promoting deep sleep.” It is evident that the sleep-inducing effect of Suan Zao Ren is indeed due to its nourishing liver and blood properties. The Ben Cao Gang Mu states, “In treating heart diseases, one must use Fu Shen (Poria Spirit), as the ancient Zhang family could not eliminate dizziness and heart deficiency without it. However, Fu Ling has also been known to treat heart diseases,” indicating that Fu Ling can also calm the heart and spirit as an auxiliary herb. Zhi Mu is a bitter and cold herb, a good remedy for clearing heat and alleviating irritability, especially suitable for insomnia due to yin deficiency and excess heat as an adjunct herb. Chuan Xiong enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, moves qi in the blood, dispels wind, and alleviates pain as the main herb. Sheng Gan Cao clears heat and harmonizes the other herbs. Therefore, although the Suan Zao Ren Tang has a simple composition, it is precisely formulated with clear indications for treating insufficient Liver yin, blood deficiency, and disturbed heart fire, effectively addressing irritability and insomnia.
The ancient masters used Suan Zao Ren Tang to treat deficiency heat and insomnia, often adding Ye Jiao Teng (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) at a dosage of 30 grams. Ye Jiao Teng is first recorded in the Kai Bao Ben Cao (Kai Bao Materia Medica) and is the vine stem of He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), entering the Heart and Liver meridians, specifically nourishing the heart and calming the spirit, indicated for deficiency heat and insomnia. Adding it to Suan Zao Ren Tang enhances the sleep-inducing function. The ancient masters generally first used the decoction daily, taking it in two doses, and then combined it with acupuncture at San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6) and Shen Men (Heart 7) to nourish yin and calm the spirit. After achieving results, they increased the dosage tenfold, decocted it with white honey to form a paste, and took one tablespoon (15 grams) before bed to consolidate the effects, ensuring regular sleep.
