Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Semen Platycladi |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 柏子仁 · Bai Zi Ren |
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| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
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| Efficacy Category | Mind-calming |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried mature seed of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. (Cupressaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine |
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What Is Bai Zi Ren?
Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Neutral
Channels Entered: Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine
Bai Zi Ren: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Semen Platycladi
Botanical Origin
The dried mature seed of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. (Cupressaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material consists of large pieces that are full, oily without seeping oil, and yellowish-white.
Macroscopic Features
Long oval or long elliptical shape, 0.3~0.7cm long, 0.1~0.3cm diameter. Fresh material is yellowish-white or pale yellow; stored material is yellowish-brown, with oil spots. Kernel has thin membranous seed coat externally; apex is slightly pointed, round triangular prism; base is blunt and round. Soft and oily texture; fractured surface is yellowish-white, with abundant endosperm; 2 cotyledons with abundant oil. faintly aromatic odor; taste bland and oily.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet; NeutralHeartKidneyLarge Intestine
Traditional Functions
Nourishes the heart and calms the spirits, moistens intestines, relieves stools. Apply to deficient restlessness and insomnia, palpitation and morbid forgetfulness, constipation induced by dryness of the intestine.
Classical Formulas Containing Bai Zi Ren
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bai Zi Ren? Are Ce Bai Ye, Suan Zao Ren and Huo Ma Ren the same?
Official Bai Zi Ren (柏子仁) is the dried ripe seed kernel of Platycladus orientalis. The pharmacopoeial name is Platycladi Semen. Ce Bai Ye is bitter-astringent and cold: cools Blood, stops bleeding, transforms phlegm, stops cough and darkens the hair; the leafy twigs are used. Suan Zao Ren is sweet-sour and neutral: nourishes the Heart, supplements the Liver, calms the spirit, constrains sweat and generates fluid, and must be crushed. Huo Ma Ren is sweet-neutral: moistens the intestines and frees the stool; it is the hemp seed kernel. Write Bai Zi Ren. Use caution in loose stool and copious phlegm.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bai Zi Ren?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Bai Zi Ren is sweet and neutral, enters the Heart, Kidney and Large Intestine channels, and acts to nourish the Heart, calm the spirit, moisten the intestines, free the stool and stop sweating. It is used for yin-blood insufficiency, vacuity vexation with insomnia, palpitations, intestinal dryness with constipation, and night sweat from yin vacuity. Sweet, neutral and oily, it suits Heart-blood insufficiency and intestinal dryness—not Spleen-vacuity loose stool or copious phlegm.
How do you choose raw versus dry-fried Bai Zi Ren? Can Suan Zao Ren replace it?
Raw kernels moisten the intestines more strongly. Dry-frying reduces the oil and is relatively better when the stool tends to be loose, still after pattern differentiation. Crush them for decoction. Spiny jujube seed is more specific for calming the spirit; it cannot replace moistening the intestines by equal weight. Commercial arborvitae tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Bai Zi Ren
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Bai Zi Ren.
Read the Bai Zi Ren Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
