Natural Herb Library

Arborvitae Seed

Chinese
柏子仁
Pinyin
Bai Zi Ren
Latin
Semen Platycladi
Botanical illustration of Seed of Chinese Arborvitae, Platycladus orientalis, showing Bai Zi Ren seed kernels, cone anatomy, and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Bai Zi Ren (柏子仁), this sweet, neutral herb enters the Heart, Kidney, and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit ... Bai Zi Ren is a classic seed for insomnia, palpitations, irritability, and forgetfulness when Blood and Yin are too weak to anchor the Shen, most often applied for insomnia, anxiety, and palpitations. Modern research has identified Fatty among its active constituents.

Part used: Seed

Also Known As

Biota Seed Platycladus orientalis seed

Latin: Semen Platycladi | Pinyin: Bai Zi Ren | Chinese: 柏子仁

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit ... Bai Zi Ren is a classic seed for insomnia, palpitations, irritability, and forgetfulness when Blood and Yin are too weak to anchor the Shen.
  • Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels ... because it is naturally oily, it is especially useful for dry constipation in elderly, postpartum, or chronically depleted patients.
  • Checks deficiency sweating ... traditional use extends to night sweating and spontaneous sweating when deficiency and dryness coexist.

Secondary Actions

  • Bai Zi Ren is gentler and more nourishing than heavy mineral sedatives, so it often appears in deficiency-type spirit-calming formulas rather than in excess agitation patterns.
  • This page stays on the seed-kernel medicine and should not be confused with the already-live leafy-twig page for Ce Bai Ye, which belongs to a very different cooling-hemostatic lane.

Classic Formulas

  • Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan ... classic Heart-Yin and Blood-nourishing insomnia formula in which Bai Zi Ren supports deep, deficiency-type restlessness.
  • Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan ... formula built around nourishing Heart Blood and calming the Spirit.
  • Wu Ren Wan ... bowel-moistening formula where Bai Zi Ren contributes oily lubrication for chronic dry constipation.

Classical References

  • Chinese materia medica and modern pharmacopoeial teaching describe Bai Zi Ren as sweet and neutral, entering the Heart, Kidney, and Large Intestine to nourish the Heart, calm the Spirit, moisten the bowels, and help check sweating.
  • Its medicinal part is the oily mature seed kernel of Platycladus orientalis, with the shell removed before use.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Fatty oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids ... the seed's oily fraction helps explain both its bowel-moistening role and much of its nutraceutical interest
  • Terpenoid constituents ... a recurring class in modern Platycladus seed-extract studies
  • Phenolic and other neuroactive extract fractions ... investigated for mood and cognition-related effects

Studied Effects

  • A 2022 study reported that Platycladus orientalis seed extract rescued depression-like behavior through monoamine-related mechanisms, supporting continued modern interest in Bai Zi Ren's spirit-calming lane (PMID 35489661).
  • A 2020 experimental study found active compounds from Platycladus orientalis seed extract modulated the Abeta-aggregation pathway in Alzheimer's disease models, extending research interest into cognition and neuroprotection (PMID 32922281).
  • An older 1994 study found dietary Platycladus orientalis seed oil suppressed anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies and prolonged survival in NZB mice, showing that medicinal-seed research on this plant is not limited to neurobiology alone (PMID 8200132).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Loose stools from Spleen deficiency
  • Copious phlegm or nausea from rich oily seeds

Cautions

  • Because Bai Zi Ren is oily and moistening, larger doses may aggravate diarrhea or weak digestion in cold, loose patients.
  • Sleep-focused traditional use does not make the herb interchangeable with pharmaceutical sedatives, though additive drowsiness is still possible in sensitive users.

Drug Interactions

  • Sedative or hypnotic medications ... additive calming or drowsiness is plausible

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arborvitae Seed used for?

Arborvitae Seed is traditionally used to Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit ... Bai Zi Ren is a classic seed for insomnia, palpitations, irritability, and forgetfulness when Blood and Yin are too weak to anchor the Shen., Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels ... because it is naturally oily, it is especially useful for dry constipation in elderly, postpartum, or chronically depleted patients., Checks deficiency sweating ... traditional use extends to night sweating and spontaneous sweating when deficiency and dryness coexist.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2022 study reported that Platycladus orientalis seed extract rescued depression-like behavior through monoamine-related mechanisms, supporting continued modern interest in Bai Zi Ren's spirit-calming lane (PMID 35489661).; A 2020 experimental study found active compounds from Platycladus orientalis seed extract modulated the Abeta-aggregation pathway in Alzheimer's disease models, extending research interest into cognition and neuroprotection (PMID 32922281)..

What are other names for Arborvitae Seed?

Arborvitae Seed is also known as Biota Seed, Platycladus orientalis seed. In TCM: 柏子仁 (Bai Zi Ren); Semen Platycladi.

Is Arborvitae Seed safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Arborvitae Seed during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Arborvitae Seed?

Arborvitae Seed should not be used in: Loose stools from Spleen deficiency; Copious phlegm or nausea from rich oily seeds. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Arborvitae Seed interact with any medications?

Arborvitae Seed may interact with: Sedative or hypnotic medications ... additive calming or drowsiness is plausible. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.