Summary of Modern Studies on Mood Lifter (Chaizhi Jieyu) Capsule

Chinese uses: bad mood, poor memory, low quality sleep, anxiety, etc

The Radix Bupleuri soothes the liver and relieves stagnation; Semen Ziziphi spinosa tranquilizes and nourishes the liver. They are the main (monarchal) ingredients in the recipe. Radix Curcuma assists Radix Bupleuri to soothe the liver and activates qi flowing, relieves stagnation and activates blood flowing. Poria tranquilizes and calming down the mind. Radix Polygalae expels phlegm, ventilates the orifices, tranquilizes the mind and improves intelligence. Bulbus Lilli clarifies the heart and calms down the mind. Dens Draconis antagonizes convulsion and calms down the mind. All these assist the main ingredients to tranquilize. Rhizoma Pinelliae resolves lump and soothes the interior, descends qi and disperses stagnation, strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach. Rhizoma Atraclylodis macrocephalae strengthens the spleen, invigorates qi; dries dampness to facilitate diuresis. Rhizoma Acori graminei is aromatic and opens all orifices (resuscitate), expelling turbidity. They all serve as adjuvant ingredients. Fructus Triticis levis and Rhizoma Atraclylodis macrocephalae act together to consolidate the superficies and arrest sweating. Arisaema cum Bile resolves phlegm, and tranquilizes; Fructus Gardeniae is bitter-cold, clears heat and eliminates fidgetiness. It also compromises the warm-dryness of Rhizoma Pinelliae, Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae and Rhizoma Acori graminei. The product yields the actions of soothing the liver, resolving stagnation, strengthening the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, sedation and tranquilizing the mind.

Modern pharmacological studies show that the Radix Bupleuri, and Semen Ziziphi spinosa in the recipe yield tranquilizing action. Among them, saikosaponin in Radix Bupleuri markedly prolongs the sleeping time of mice induced by hexobarbital, decreases the active movements of climbing test in mice; crude saikosaponin has an action similar to miltown, markedly inhibits the conditional escaping reaction of mice, and probably has sedative action. When perfusion is administered to mice, rat, rabbit, cat and dog separately with decoction of Semen Ziziphi spinosa, through photoelectric and shaking-cage experiments, it is proved that it yields marked sedative action. Peritoneal injection of its solution 3g/kg in cat shows marked antagonistic action to mania induced by caffeine, indicating it has similar action with sedatives. Poria and Radix Polygalae also yield sedative action. Extract from the bark of Polygalae is given by gastric perfusion for 30 minutes in mice. The movements are markedly lessened and the animal becomes calm and curled or even narcoleptic. Water solution of Poria cum Ligno hospite in the doses of 5, 10, 20g/kg, administered by peritoneal injection, antagonizes with over excitation induced by caffeine in mice. Bulbus Lilli has hypnotic action, prolongs the sleeping time induced by sodium pento barbital. Dens Draconis is a sedative, markedly increases the rate of hypnosis by sodium pentobarbital. The Rhizoma Acoris graminei also yields sedation action and anti convulsive action. The recipe yields a total action of tranquilizing, sedation, and hypnosis.

Clinically, this product is used in insomnia, and stagnation syndrome.

• Insomnia: manifesting insomnia, dreaminess, forgetfulness, with painful chest and hypochondrium, fidgetiness, spontaneous sweating, belching, acid regurgitation, bitter taste, anorexia, distressed epigastrium, pink tongue with white fur, string or string-slippery pulse.

Stagnation: Manifesting unhappiness, fidgetiness, irritable, insomnia, dreaminess, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, unease chest and hypochondrium, pink tongue with white fur, string pulse.

Excerpt from A Guide to TCM Products, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.