So when does our Heart need nourishing?
Its a term we don’t use in the west, but it’s an idea that resonates with many. In times of extreme worry, intense or prolonged stress, trauma and grief or even when you feel like you are in a constant state of irritability we want to look at nourishing the heart.
physical symptoms can include insomnia, palpitations, abnormal sweating, night sweats, vivid dreams, nightmares or Night Terrors.
In a continuation of the series on Shen Nourishing Herbs…
Let me introduce you to Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren or zizyphus seed comes from the jujubee date.
These little seeds are usually stir fried then allowed to cool in straw baskets. This preparation is said to improve its nourishing properties Making it beneficial for the liver and improving its calming effects.
prepared Zizyphus seeds also help to stop unusual or unexplained sweating (like night sweats or spontaneous sweating when you’re tired or stressed.) a study in 2008 also showed the extract of the prepared seed to be effective against human tumor cells.
Raw seeds are also useful, they aren’t considered as nourishing but have a stronger action on the liver and gallbladder. (In Traditional Chinese Medicine this is called clearing or cleansing the liver or gallbladder.)
One of the most valuable properties of Both the prepared seeds and the raw seeds is their sedative effects. This herb can be used alone but is most often used in formulas.
This herb is especially helpful for little one’s (and adults!) who struggle with nightmares or night terrors and is commonly given in a well known formula called Suan Zao Ren Tang or zizyphus formula.
The formula contains just 5 herbs:
- the main ingredient is prepared Jujube Date seed which is supported by
- Poria/Hoelen: a medicinal mushroom known to be both calming and nourishing to the heart.
- Anemarrhenae -another nourishing herb
- Ligusticum which helps with circulation
- licorice, which helps to reduce inflammation and moderate the effects of the other herbs.
I personally use this formula even now when my sleep is disrupted by worry. I’ve also used it with my own kids, my nieces and my nephews and recommended it to hundreds of clients who can all sing its praises.
KanHerbs makes one of my favorite forms of this formula – you can find it on my fullscript dispensary.
Or on amazon here (tablets) or here (liquid).
Another formula that relies on zizyphus seed is also known as Emperor of Heaven’s Special Pill for tonifying the Heart, it’s also commonly called the Scholars formula.
This formula was originally created for – you guessed it, the rulers and scholars of ancient China who carried the heavy mental burdens of keeping an empire safe, economically stable and thriving.
The combination of herbs in this formula are especially helpful for those who “carry the weight of the world” on their shoulders. If you feel frazzled or “fried” by the constant strain of work, caring for others and the stress of keeping it all together, this formula can help calm, nourish and settle your mind.
Its also a good one for students working non-stop under pressure to pass exams.
In addition to zizyphus seed it also contains many of my favorite herbs to help cool, calm and nourish frazzled nerves and minds.
You can find it on fullscript under catalog>favorites>anxiety support > Celestial Emperor’s Blend.
or on Amazon in tablets or liquid.
If you’re lucky enough to have a good acupuncturist or Chinese Herbalist (you can always call me 😉), the granule form of both of these formulas are also worth considering. You can fine tune the dose, take it as tea or mix it into food.
And as always, if you have specific questions or concerns – I’d love to be of help.
I’ve added a short appointment option so I can address simple questions you may have if you are looking to try something to help with sleep, anxiety, digestion, etc. You will be asked to sign an informed consent, just so you and I both agree that I’m not a Dr and I don’t play one on the internet and there is a small fee ($25).
