Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Saturday 16 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Semen)

Bai Zi Ren is also known as biota seed. The sweet, acrid and neutral herb has been used in TCM to treat insomnia, palpitations, neurasthenia, constipation, weak memory, losing hair, etc as it nourishes the Heart, moistens the Intestines, Promotes bowel movement, etc. by enhancing the functions of heart, spleen. channels.
Ingredeients
1. Fat
2. Evaporating oil
3. Saponin
4. Etc.
Health Benefits
1. Anti-allergic effect
Lambertianic acid found in the leaves of Thuja orientalis (Bai zi Ren) may contain the property in treating allergym as it inhibited the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), PGD(2) and LTC(4), the expression of COX-2 and the degranulation of β-hexosaminidase in the PMA plus calcimycin-induced BMMCs in mouse, according to the study of “Anti-allergic effect of lambertianic acid from Thuja orientalis in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells” by Chae HS, Chin YW.(1)
2. Anti-inflammatory activities
Chloroform fraction (CHL) and pure compounds of Franco (LPO) has worked together in exhibiting the anti inalmmatory effect as CHL and its components (hinokiol and acacetin) on 5-LOX enhaces the anti-inflammatory activity of LPO, according to the study of “The anti-inflammatory activities of an extract and compounds isolated from Platycladus orientalis (Linnaeus) Franco in vitro and ex vivo” by Fan SY, Zeng HW, Pei YH, Li L, Ye J, Pan YX, Zhang JG, Yuan X, Zhang WD(2)
3. Anti -neurotoxicity
Thuja orientalis (Bai Zi Zen) leaves (TOFE) has exerted the ability of protecting SH-SY5Y cells from 6-OHDA through the downregulation of OS and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, and decreasing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), as it may be cosidered as a potential source in treating Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to the study of “Protective effects of standardized Thuja orientalis leaves against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells” by Ju MS, Lee P, Kim HG, Lee KY, Hur J, Cho SH, Sung SH, Oh MS.(3)
4. Anti malaria and Japanese encephalitis
Ethanolic and acetone extracts of Nerium indicum and Thuja orientelis has exerted the ability in larviciding for both types of mosquito larvae, thus reducing the risk of malaria and Japanese encephalitis vector, according to the study of “Larvicidal potential of Nerium indicum and Thuja oriertelis extracts against malaria and Japanese encephalitis vector” by Sharma P, Mohan L, Srivastava CN.(4)
5. Et.
Side effects
1. Bai Zi Ren may cause clonic seizures such as rhythmic jerking movements of the arms and legs(a)
2. Do not use the herb if you are pregnant and breast feeding with out approval by the related field specialist
3. No Other side effect is known