Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa)
TCM 'sour jujube' seed for sleep and nervousness, the classical TCM hypnotic, with small modern RCTs in insomnia.
Why
Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa seed) is the principal TCM herb for sleep, prescribed in formulas like Suan Zao Ren Tang for several centuries. Small modern Chinese RCTs report sleep-onset and sleep-quality improvements vs placebo. Botanically and clinically distinct from common jujube (Ziziphus jujuba, the date-like fruit used as a Qi tonic, separate framing).
How it works
Jujuboside A and B modulate GABA-A receptors and reduce hippocampal excitability in animal models. Spinosin (a flavonoid) enhances serotonin-induced sleep in preclinical studies.
Expected onset · Sleep-onset effects within 1–2 weeks
How to take
Dosage
Traditional decoction: 9–15 g/day of crushed seeds. Standardised extract: 200–500 mg/day.
Timing
Evening, 30–60 min before bed
On the label
Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa seed (suan zao ren), not the fruit. Crushed or extracted form.
Ideal for
Adults with sleep-onset insomnia or nervous restlessness exploring TCM-rooted options.
Safety
Evidence
Yeung 2012 systematic review of herbal hypnotics: Suan Zao Ren signal across multiple small Chinese RCTs vs placebo and diazepam comparators. Preliminary, RCTs exist in non-tier-1 journals but are small or short-duration. No Cochrane review, EMA monograph or EFSA-authorised claim covers the indication.
Preliminary, RCTs exist in non-tier-1 journals but are small or short-duration. No Cochrane review, EMA monograph or EFSA-authorised claim covers the indication.
Where to get it
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