The amazing medicinal uses of Suan Zao Ren, also known as sour jujube seed in English-speaking countries, were recorded very early on the “Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic”, in which this Chinese herb was placed in the top-grade category thanks to the healing properties of settling five Zang viscera, losing weight, and prolonging life. So, do not underestimate this wild fruit that is not eye-catching at all because it may be the one and only medication that can cure the insomnia that has troubled you so long. In Chinese herbal remedies, it nourishes the liver, tranquilizes the heart, calms the mind, and arrests sweating. Today it is often used to treat neurasthenia, irritability, insomnia, nightmares, night sweats, nervousness, and so on. From the point of view of western medicine, it extends the deep sleep hours by impacting the slow-wave sleep. 

**not recommended during pregnancy  

Suan Zao Ren side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions

Suan Zao Ren, seeds taken from the ripe jujube fruit, can help the patients get rid of the torture of insomnia and thereby give them a good night’s sleep, recover the heartbeat of patients who are suffering from arrhythmias, and make neurasthenia patients energetic again. As you can see now, this herb offers tons of health benefits. But this is exactly the reason more and more people ignore its side effects and abuse it.

1) Aggravating pathogenic heat. According to Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing Shu (Commentary on ‘Shen Nong’s Classic of the Materia Medica), it shouldn’t be used in the patients who are with excess heat pathogen in channels of liver, gallbladder, and spleen because of its astringent nature.

2) Causing diarrhea. According to Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (Facts of Materia Medica), people who have gastrointestinal dysfunction should avoid excessive consumption of it since it can lubricate the intestinal tract.

3) Causing allergy. Its decoction can occasionally result in allergic reactions, such as nettle rash (hives), generalized pruritus, chills, fever, joint pain, and the like.

4) Causing numbness in the lips. The triterpenoids contained can cause numbness, clogging feeling in throat, drooling, stiff tongue, heart rhythm disorders, and a series of other adverse reactions.

5) Causing excessive stomach acid. Excessive consumption will aggravate the condition of hyperacidity because of its acidic property.

References

Sleep Aid:
For people suffering from insomnia or restlessness, consuming the seeds of the extract of the jujube fruit can be a good remedy. 

Circulation Issues:
The jujube fruit is a rich source of both iron and phosphorous, key ingredients in red blood cells.

**not recommended during pregnancy  

Do you ever feel listless during daytime but just can’t fall asleep at night though you are literally tired? That is actually the typical clinical manifestation of people who has difficulty with sleeping. Insomnia has long been documented as a disease in ancient China. So, how did the ancient treat insomnia? The authority words are from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer), which concludes that the Jujube Seed Decoction (Suan Zao Ren Tang) governs patterns of insomnia caused by consumptive disease and deficient dysphoria. Actually it is the inspiration of many later insomnia remedies. From this it’s not hard to see jujube seed plays an important role in the treatment of insomnia, neurasthenia, etc. Besides of treating insomnia, it has tons of other health benefits.

1) Maintaining a good nutritional balance. It is rich in vitamin C too. Eating it regularly can replenish vitamin C required in order to maintain good nutritional balance;

2) Calming the mind and soothing the nerves. Thanks to its special healing properties on insomnia, it is regarded as the “Oriental sleeping fruit.” What’s more, it is also somewhat a tonic. And Zhen Jing An Mian Wan (Calm Sleeping Pill), a commonly used Chinese patent medicine, takes it as one the main ingredients;

3) Arresting sweating and promoting the secretion of body fluid. Since this is an herb of sour flavor, it is often used in spontaneous sweating and night sweating in physically weak people who in particular have feelings of anxiety that always make them tense and irritable;

4) Tonifying liver and kidney and tranquilize mind by nourishing the heart. That’s to say, it works on menopausal syndrome and liver-kidney deficiency induced symptoms, including restless sleep, facial flushing, feverishness in palms and soles, dizziness, tinnitus, abnormal vaginal discharge, enuresis, urinary frequency and so on;

5) Treating insomnia, palpitations, and depression by tranquilizing by nourishing the heart. The traditional medications for insomnia and depression in western medicine are quite addictive and with lots of side effects. In comparison, Chinese herbs for insomnia and depression are not addictive and won’t result in drug dependence. Jujube seeds can effectively help relieve insomnia naturally, improve sleep quality, and relieve headaches, dizziness, fatigue and other phenomena. In addition, it can also relieve stress, anxiety, depression, memory loss, neurasthenia and other symptoms. More importantly, it helps people sleep sound again, in a natural way.

6) Other effects. It has certain antihypertensive effect and it serves as uterine stimulant. As a result, it helps Yin-blood deficiency induced palpitation, insomnia, and forgetfulness and physical weakness causing excessive sweating.

✓  Direction for Herb tea:
1. Rinse the herbs with cold running water then soak it for 30min.
2. Water : Herbs (1L : 30g)
3. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 30-min - 2hr or more.

✓ Root : 1hr - 2hr / Loose leaves : 10min - 30min

DISCLAIMER
Some individuals may have adverse reactions to certain plants, herbs, and other natural products.
On any issue where no specific advice is given to consumers please follow this general advice; if you are currently taking the product; 
you are advised to discontinue use and consult your pharmacist or herbal medical doctor.
When speaking to your doctor or pharmacist you may find it is helpful to take a copy of this MHRA advice about the product with you.
You should continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor. 

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