What are the sedative and calming herbs?
May 25, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Sedative and calming herbs include fossilized bone (Longgu), oyster shell (Muli), cinnabar (Zhusha), pearl mother (Zhenzhumu), and purple fluorite (Zishiying). Most of these substances are mineral-based and may irritate the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, prolonged use is not recommended. Herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit include sour jujube seed (Suanzaoren), polygala root (Yuanzhi), cat’s claw vine (Ye Jiaoteng), silk tree bark (Hehuanpi), and silk tree flower (Hehuanhua). These herbs demonstrate good efficacy in treating a range of symptoms arising from disturbed Heart–Spirit.
Sedative and tranquilizing herbs, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), primarily refer to those that calm the mind and stabilize the spirit—a concept unique to TCM theory. Numerous Chinese medicinal herbs possess sedative and tranquilizing effects, broadly categorized into two types: those that exert a calming/sedative effect and those that nourish the Heart and calm the spirit.
Herbs with calming/sedative properties include fossilized bone (Longgu), oyster shell (Muli), cinnabar (Zhusha), amber (Hupo), mother-of-pearl (Zhenzhumu), and fluorite (Zishiying). Most of these are mineral-based substances and may irritate the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, prolonged use is not recommended. Notably, cinnabar contains mercury and carries potential toxicity; thus, its clinical application requires particular caution.
Herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the spirit include sour jujube seed (Suanzaoren), biota seed (Baiziren), polygala root (Yuanzhi), schizandra stem (Ye Jiaoteng), silk tree bark (Hehuanpi), and silk tree flower (Hehuanhua). These herbs demonstrate good therapeutic efficacy for symptoms arising from Heart-related mental restlessness.
In TCM theory, the Heart governs the “Shen” (spirit or consciousness); hence, all abnormalities of mental-emotional function are considered related to Heart dysfunction. Sedative and tranquilizing herbs are therefore primarily used to treat conditions such as irritability, insomnia, vivid dreaming, palpitations, cardiac anxiety, mania, epilepsy, and convulsions—regardless of their underlying causes.
In contrast, Western sedative and tranquilizing medications fall into several major categories: hypnotics (sleeping pills), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs), and antidepressants. Selection among these agents must be based on individual patient diagnosis and symptom profile, under strict medical supervision—otherwise, adverse reactions may occur.
