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 (SWS).

It refers to the dried mature seeds of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chou, which is a species in the family Buckthorn, Rhamnaceae. Apparently it is different from the ordinary jujube fruit that is commonly known as Chinese date or red date. And other common names of this herb include Sour Jujube Seed, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Spina Date Seed, Suanzaoren, Zao Ren, and the like. It is mainly grown in provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Henan, Shanxi, Shandong, and Gansu in China. It is usually harvested during late autumn and early winter when the fruits are ripe. And the following steps are to remove the flesh and the jujube pit shells, collect the seeds, and dry in the sun. Medicinally it is normally used raw, or fried. By the way, smash them before the use.

Suan Zao Ren

SUAN ZAO REN 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.