Bai Zi Ren – Biota Seed – Semen Platycladi

Bai Zi Ren

English Name: platycladus seed, biota seed, Chinese arborvitae seed

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Platycladi

Medica Category: Shen Calming Herbs

Properties: Bai Zi Ren enters the Heart, Kidney, and Large Intestine channels; it is sweet in nature and neutral in temperature.

What is Bai Zi Ren?:

The Chinese Herb Bai Zi Ren (aka Biota Seed) is the dried (inner) seed kernels of the Chinese Arborvitae, an evergreen, coniferous tree native to Northwest China that is widely cultivated as an ornamental and has long been associated with long life and vitality (Platycladus orientalis (L.); syn. Biota orientalis). The white-yellowish seeds are harvested in the autumn when they ripen. The outer seed covers are removed and the inner kernels are dried and then crushed for use as medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Bai Zi Ren:

Bai Zi Ren nourishes the Heart and calms the shen when Heart blood deficiency leads to such clinical presentations as insomnia, palpitations, restlessness, forgetfulness, and excessive worry.

Bai Zi Ren lubricates the intestines to promote bowel movements in cases where that present with constipation or dry stools due to blood and/or yin deficiencies.