Arborvitae Seed Whole (Platycladus Orientalis)

Arborvitae Seed Whole (Platycladus orientalis) is the dried mature seed of the Chinese arborvitae tree, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Bǎi Zǐ Rén (柏子仁). This gentle, nourishing seed has been used for centuries to calm the spirit, nourish the Heart, moisten dryness, and support restful sleep. Its nature is sweet, neutral, and moistening, making it especially suited for conditions involving Heart blood or yin deficiency, where symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, forgetfulness, and dry constipation are present.

In TCM, Bai Zi Ren enters the Heart, Kidney, and Large Intestine channels, where it helps nourish Heart blood, calm the shen, support emotional stability, and gently moisten the intestines. It is traditionally used for difficulty falling or staying asleep, vivid dreams, restlessness, nervousness, and palpitations, particularly when caused by overwork, stress, aging, or blood deficiency. Its oily, moistening quality also makes it effective for constipation due to dryness, especially in the elderly or postpartum individuals.

In classical and folk practice, Arborvitae Seed is commonly included in calming formulas, sleep-support teas, and longevity tonics, often combined with jujube seed, longan fruit, or rehmannia to strengthen its spirit-nourishing effects. Unlike stronger sedatives, Bai Zi Ren works by nourishing and stabilizing, not suppressing, allowing the mind and body to return naturally to a state of rest.

Modern research shows that Platycladus orientalis seeds contain fatty oils, flavonoids, lignans, and calming bioactive compounds with demonstrated sedative, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, and intestinal-moistening effects. These constituents support its traditional role in sleep regulation, emotional balance, and digestive comfort.

Each batch of Arborvitae Seed Whole (Platycladus orientalis) is carefully cleaned and dried to preserve its pale yellow color, soft texture, and naturally oily richness. When decocted or lightly crushed before brewing, it produces a mild, nutty, gently soothing infusion traditionally used to calm the spirit, nourish the Heart, ease restlessness, and promote deep, restorative sleep.