The source is from the mature seed of Ziziphus Spinosa Hu, family Rhamnaceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Hebei, Shaanxi, Liaoning, Shandong, Shanxi, and Henan, etc., collected in the end of autumn and early stage of winter when the fruits are ripe, and dried. The crude or stir-baked one is used.

Medicinal Properties: Sweet and sour in flavor, mild in nature, and attributive to the heart and liver meridians.

Actions: Nourish the heart, benefit the liver, tranquilize the mind and stop the excessive perspiration.

Application
1. It is indicated for insomnia and vexation. It is a commonly used medicine to treat restlessness that is caused by various causes, especially by deficient syndrome. For that caused by deficiency of heart-blood and liver-blood, and failure of the heart being nourished, it is usually combined with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Heshouwu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori), etc.; for vexation and insomnia due to liver-deficiency with heat, combined with Zhimu ( Rhizoma Anemarrhenae ), Fuling ( Poria ), etc., such as Suanzaoren Tang (Decoction); for that due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen, usually combined with Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis ) and Huangqi (Radix Astragali), such as Guipi Tang (Decoction); for that due to insufficiency of the heart and kidney, and yin-deficiency leading to yang-hyperactivity, combined with Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae), Xuanshen ( Radix Scrophulariae ) and Baiziren ( Semen Biotae ), etc., such as Tianwang Buxin Dan (Pill).
2. For spontaneous perspiration and night sweating, it is usually combined with Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis), Wuweizi ( Fructus Schisandrae ) and Shanzhuyu ( Fructus Corni).

Usage and Dosage: 9-15 g is used in decoction for oral use. 1.5 - 3 g of the powder is swallowed before sleeping.