Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (stir-fried) |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 炒酸棗仁 · Chao Suan Zao 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 ripe seed of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chow (Rhamnaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Sour; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Gallbladder, Heart |
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What Is Chao Suan Zao Ren?
Chao Suan Zao Ren (Stir-fried Sour Jujube Seed) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Sour; Neutral
Channels Entered: Liver, Gallbladder, Heart
Chao Suan Zao Ren: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (stir-fried)
Botanical Origin
The dried ripe seed of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chow (Rhamnaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is full, purplish-red, oily, with scorched spots.
Macroscopic Features
Oblate or elliptical, 5~9mm long, 5~8mm wide. Externally purplish-red or brownish-red, after stir-frying surface is darker, often with slight scorched spots. Seed coat is thin and brittle; embryo is yellowish-white, oily. Faint odor, taste sweet.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Sour; NeutralLiverGallbladderHeart
Traditional Functions
Nourishes heart and liver, quiets spirit, astringes sweat and generates fluids; stir-fried form enhances heart-nourishing and sweat-astringing action.
How Chao Suan Zao Ren Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Chao Suan Zao Ren is classified among the Mind-calming herbs.
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.
