Suan Zao Ren Tang. Insomnia and Anxiety formula.
Sour Jujube Decoction
Category
Formulas that Calm the Spirit
Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit.
Diagnosis
Heart and Liver Blood deficiency with deficiency heat.
Indications.
Anxiety, forgetfulness, too much dreaming, insomnia, palpitations, night sweats, thirst, irritability, dizziness and vertigo, dry mouth and throat.
In this pattern, irritability is from a deficiency. The subjective irritability is not seen with strong excess heat symptoms.
Functions.
1. Nourish Blood
2. calm Spirit
3. Clear heat
4. relieve irritability
Tongue and Pulse.
dry, red tongue
Wiry or Thin, Rapid
Prescription Ingredients
1) Jun: Suan Zao Ren (15-18g)
Nourishes the Liver, whilst calming the spirit. The focus is on the heart, insomnia,night sweating and irritability with thirst.
2): Fu Ling (6g)
Sweet anf bland, calming the spirit and tonifies the spleen and stomach
3): Chuan Xiong (6g)
regulates Liver blood by encouraging movement, calming the spirit. The focus is on the blood deficiency restlessness and the acrid nature disperses stagnation.
4): Zhi Mu (6g)
Bitter, sweet and cooling. Drains heat to preserve Yin, protecting the stomach from dryness
5): Gan Cao (3g)
Regulates the actions of the other herbs, whilst harmonising the digestive system.
Contraindications.
1. Only use in cases of deficiency
The formula Suan Zao Ren, as described above, belongs to the “Nourish the Heart (blood and yin) and Calm the Spirit” category. A person deficient in Blood and Yin, which leads to such disturbances in the spirit, are said to be manifesting a disorder which prevents them from living their life in a manner appropriate to who they truly are. This really illustrates the important connection between the emotional psyche and the personality. To be deficient is to experience the symptoms, palpitations, anxiety, forgetfulness, disorientation and insomnia. these manifestations need to be addressed by tonifying the Qi and the blood.
The excess patterns affecting the sprit present with a feeling of being over stressed, manic, bad tempered with agitation. These symptoms are due to excess heat or over controlling yang with possible blood stasis and phlegm. the strategy needed here is to sedate the shen and calm the spirit.
Do you think that you could benefit from Suan Zao Ren?
Make an appointment with Gemma, a qualified Herbalist who can ensure that you receive the most benefitial and individualised formula for your issues
