Summary of modern studies on Danzhi Anshen (Quality Sleep™) Capsule

Chinese Use: Neurasthenia.

This product is applied in deficient yin-blood, insomnia, dreaminess, palpitation, uneasiness, hot palms and soles, night sweat and tinnitus. It is treated by the principle of nourishing yin, clearing heat, replenishing blood and sedation.

In this recipe, Semen Ziziphi spinosae is plain and sweet, pertains to the heart-liver channel, nourishing blood and liver, calming the heart and sedation. It is used as the main (monarchal) ingredient. Rhizoma Anemarrhenae is bitter-sweet-cold, pertains to the kidney channel, capable of nourishing yin and clearing heat; Radix Ophiopogonis is sweet-bitter-cold, capable of nourishing yin, clearing heat and eliminating fidgetiness. Poria is sweet and plain pertains to the kidney channel, capable of sedation and calming the heart. The above three are used to strengthen the action of nourishing yin, clearing heat and tranquilizing. Radix Polygoni multiflori is sweet acerbity and mild warm, pertains to the liver-kidney channel, capable of nourishing spirit and blood. The above four are used as ministerial ingredients. Rhizoma Chuanxiong is pungent and warm, pertains to the liver-gallbladder-Heart channel. It activates blood and Qi, being “a herb of blood among Qi medicines”. It regulates the Qi flowing mechanism and soothing the liver Qi. It coordinates with the monarchial ingredient to regulate the liver and nourish blood. Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae is bitter and slightly cold, pertains to the heart-liver channel. It clears the heat, activates blood, so that the tonic action won’t be stagnated. Fructus Schisandrae is sour-sweet-warm, pertains to the kidney channel. It invigorates Qi and astringes yin to assist the action of benefiting Qi and nourishing yin. The above three ingredients are served as adjuvant ingredients. The total action of the recipe is replenishing yin, nourishing blood, clearing heat and tranquilizing.

Modern pharmacological studies reveal that Semen Ziziphi spinosae is a hypnotic and sedative. Perfusion of its water solution to mice markedly inhibits its spontaneous movement and prolongs the hypnotic action of pentobarbital, antagonizes the stimulation of caffeine. The total saponins and flavones it contains decrease the spontaneous movement, antagonizes the excitation to CNS by amphetamine. Though it yields hypnotic action, it does not anesthetize even applied in large dosage.

Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Radix Ophiopogonis, Fructus Schisandrae and Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae are sedative. Subcutaneous injection of 0.1ml/10g Radix Ophiopogonis solution can induce tranquilizing action for over 4 hours, with synergistic action with sedative action of pentobarbital and chloramphenical, antagonizes the exciting action of caffeine. Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae decreases the spontaneous electric discharge of the brain, induces the increase of electric potential, strengthens the sedative action of the pentobarbital to CNS. In addition, Rhizoma Chuan xiong increases cerebral blood flow. Poria improves senile cellular immunity. In short, all the ingredients work together to yield action of effect on CNS,  strengthens the immunity and is good for neurasthenia. 

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.