Introduction of Bai Zi Ren:Chinese Arborvitae Seed or Semen Platycladi.
✵The article gives records of the herb Chinese Arborvitae Seed, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Chinese Arborvitae Seed, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Semen Platycladi(Chinese Arborvitae Seed).
Pin Yin Name: Bǎi Zǐ Rén.
English Name: Chinese Arborvitae Seed.
Latin Name: Semen Platycladi.
Property and flavor: neutral in nature, sweet.
Brief introduction: The herb Semen Platycladi is the kernel of the dried ripe seed of Platycladus orientalis(L.) Franco, used (1).to nourish the heart and relieve mental strain for the treatment of palpitations and insomnia in deficiency of heart blood, and (2).as an aperient for constipation in debilitated patients. The herb is commonly known as Semen Platycladi, Chinese Arborvitae Seed, Bǎi Zǐ Rén.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Semen Platycladi(Bai Zi Ren) as the kernel of the dried ripe seed of the plant species (1).Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. It is a plant of the Platycladus Spach genus, the Cupressaceae family (cypress family) of the Cupressales order. This commonly used species is introduced:
(1).Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco.
Botanical description: The Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., is a plant of the Cupressaceae family (cypress family) and Platycladus genus, it is commonly known as "Platycladus orientalis", or "Thuja oreintalis", or "Oriental Arborvitae", or "Chinese Arborvitae", or "Cè Bǎi", or "Xiang Bai, Huang Bai, Bian Bai, Bian Song, Bian Hui, etc.". Evergreen trees, grow up to 20 meters tall, with a diameter of 1 meter. The bark is thin, grayish-brown, sliver into strips. The branchlets are flat, straight, and flat. Leaves are scaly, alternating, 1~3 mm long, the apex is slightly obtuse, the upper and lower sides of branchlets are exposed to partially obovate-shaped rhomboid or oblique square, the leaves on both sides are folded over the base of the upper and lower leaves in a keel shape. There are glandular grooves in the middle of the dorsal lobe.
Monoecious; Bulb alone grows on top of the short branch; Male bulbs are yellow, ovoid, about 2 mm long. Globule fruit mature in the year, ovoid, 1.5~2 cm long, succulent, blue-green, white powder; Ripe wood, open, reddish-brown; Seed scales are 4 pairs, flat, back near the apex of the inverted tip, central seed scales 1~2 seeds. Seeds are ovoid or obovate, 4~6 mm long, grayish-brown or purplish brown, wingless or ridged, large and prominent umbilicus. Its flowering period is from March to April, the fruit ripens from September to November.
Herb features: dry branches and leaves, different length, dense branches. The leaves are small, scaly, lying on flat branches, alternating, greenish-green. Branchlets are flattened, linear, brown. Brittle. Slightly fragrant, slightly bitter, slightly spicy. It is best to have tender, green leaves, and no broken leaves.
Ecological Environment: The Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., grows in moist fertile land, also grows on limestone rocks, moist and fertile slopes. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in most areas of China and cultivated in most areas of China, except Qinghai and Xinjiang province. It is widely distributed from the south of the northeast, passing through north China to the south of Guangdong and northern Guangxi, and west to Shaanxi, Gansu, southwest to Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou. This species was native to the northwest area of China. It is also now naturalized as an introduced species elsewhere in Asia.
Growth characteristics: The plant fonds of light, slightly resistant to shade when young, adaptable, not strict to soil requirements, can grow in acid, neutral, lime, and light saline soil. Drought resistance, poor infertility, strong germination capacity, moderate cold resistance. Weak wind resistance.
Photoluminescence, a little shade tolerance when young, strong adaptability, the soil requirements are not strict, acid, neutral, calcareous and light saline soil can grow. It is resistant to drought and barren, with strong germination ability, moderate cold resistance, strong sunlight exposure resistance, high-temperature resistance, and shallow root resistance. It is only distributed at the area with an altitude of below 900 meters above sea level, and it grows well at the area with an altitude of below 400 meters above sea level. Weak wind resistance.
The tree grows in the wild field or cultivated, prefers to moist and fertile the calcareous soil with good drainage, bears cold, drought tolerance, fight saline-alkali, can grow on flat ground or cliff; In dry, barren mountain, its growth is slow, thin plants. Shallow root, but developed lateral roots, germination is strong, resistant to pruning, long life, anti-smoke, anti-sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and other harmful gases, it is widely distributed, it is one of the most popular ornamental trees in China.
Lateral cypress can adapt to cold climate. Strong drought resistance, soil requirements are not strict, strong saline-alkali resistance, the soil with the salt content of about 0.2 % can also adapt to growth.
Characters of herbs: The kernel of the Platycladus orientalis is oval to oblong, 3~7 mm long and 1.5~3 mm in diameter. The fresh kernel is light yellow or yellowish-white. If it is left for a long time, the color will become dark and yellowish-brown, showing oiliness. The kernel is wrapped with membranous endotesta, with slightly light apex, round triangular shape, there are dark brown spots, blunt base, and light color. The fracture surface is milky white to yellowish-white, the endosperm is developed, and there are 2 or more cotyledons, which are rich in oil. The herb has a slight fragrance, it has a mild taste, and is greasy. The herb of better grade has full grains, yellow and white, oiliness, but has no extensive diffusion of oil, and no impurities of hulls, etc.
Pharmacological actions: ①.moistening intestines and relaxing the bowels; ②.sedative effect.
Medicinal efficacy: Nourishing the heart and calm the nerves (relieve uneasiness of mind and body tranquilization), moisten the intestines and relaxing the bowels. It is indicated for deficiency of blood and body fluid, dysphoria and insomnia, insomnia amnesia, palpitation and severe palpitation, palpitate with fear, spermatorrhea (nocturnal emission), dryness of the intestine, constipation, Yin deficiency and night sweat, etc.
Administration of Semen Platycladi (Bǎi Zǐ Rén):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Semen Platycladi (Bǎi Zǐ Rén)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:3~10 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 1~3 qian (about 3~9 grams), or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:fried and extract oil, and smear apply; ③.Internally:water decoction,10~15 grams;or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder and apply stick, or mash fresh herb and apply stick.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: the herb Semen Platycladi should not be combined with Flos Chrysanthemi, Rumex root, stone herbs, wheat flour. Better be combined with Concha Ostreae, Cortex Cinnamomi, Melon Seeds, etc.
Article Links.
URL QR code:
References:
1.Introduction of Bai Zi Ren:Chinese Arborvitae Seed or Semen Platycladi.
✵The article gives records of the herb Chinese Arborvitae Seed, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Chinese Arborvitae Seed, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Bǎi Zǐ Rén.
Botanical description: The Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., is a plant of the Cupressaceae family (cypress family) and Platycladus genus, it is commonly known as "Platycladus orientalis", or "Thuja oreintalis", or "Oriental Arborvitae", or "Chinese Arborvitae", or "Cè Bǎi", or "Xiang Bai, Huang Bai, Bian Bai, Bian Song, Bian Hui, etc.". Evergreen trees, grow up to 20 meters tall, with a diameter of 1 meter. The bark is thin, grayish-brown, sliver into strips. The branchlets are flat, straight, and flat. Leaves are scaly, alternating, 1~3 mm long, the apex is slightly obtuse, the upper and lower sides of branchlets are exposed to partially obovate-shaped rhomboid or oblique square, the leaves on both sides are folded over the base of the upper and lower leaves in a keel shape. There are glandular grooves in the middle of the dorsal lobe.
Monoecious; Bulb alone grows on top of the short branch; Male bulbs are yellow, ovoid, about 2 mm long. Globule fruit mature in the year, ovoid, 1.5~2 cm long, succulent, blue-green, white powder; Ripe wood, open, reddish-brown; Seed scales are 4 pairs, flat, back near the apex of the inverted tip, central seed scales 1~2 seeds. Seeds are ovoid or obovate, 4~6 mm long, grayish-brown or purplish brown, wingless or ridged, large and prominent umbilicus. Its flowering period is from March to April, the fruit ripens from September to November.
Herb features: dry branches and leaves, different length, dense branches. The leaves are small, scaly, lying on flat branches, alternating, greenish-green. Branchlets are flattened, linear, brown. Brittle. Slightly fragrant, slightly bitter, slightly spicy. It is best to have tender, green leaves, and no broken leaves.
Ecological Environment: The Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., grows in moist fertile land, also grows on limestone rocks, moist and fertile slopes. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in most areas of China and cultivated in most areas of China, except Qinghai and Xinjiang province. It is widely distributed from the south of the northeast, passing through north China to the south of Guangdong and northern Guangxi, and west to Shaanxi, Gansu, southwest to Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou. This species was native to the northwest area of China. It is also now naturalized as an introduced species elsewhere in Asia.
Characters of herbs: The kernel of the Platycladus orientalis is oval to oblong, 3~7 mm long and 1.5~3 mm in diameter. The fresh kernel is light yellow or yellowish-white. If it is left for a long time, the color will become dark and yellowish-brown, showing oiliness. The kernel is wrapped with membranous endotesta, with slightly light apex, round triangular shape, there are dark brown spots, blunt base, and light color. The fracture surface is milky white to yellowish-white, the endosperm is developed, and there are 2 or more cotyledons, which are rich in oil. The herb has a slight fragrance, it has a mild taste, and is greasy. The herb of better grade has full grains, yellow and white, oiliness, but has no extensive diffusion of oil, and no impurities of hulls, etc.
Pharmacological actions: ①.moistening intestines and relaxing the bowels; ②.sedative effect.
URL QR code:
