Bai Zi Ren

PLATYCLADI SEMEN (柏子仁, Baiziren) Chinese Arborvitae Kernel Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (Fam. Cupressaceae). The drug is the dried ripe kernel of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. The ripe seeds are collected in autumn and winter, dried in the sun, the testa removed, and the kernels collected. Description Long ovoid or elongated elliptical, 4–7 mm long and 1.5–3 mm in diameter. Externally yellowish-white or pale yellowish-brown, covered with a thin membranous testa. Apex slightly acute, bearing a small dark-brown point. Base obtusely rounded. Texture soft and oily. Odour slightly aromatic. Taste mild. Identification Powder Dark yellow to brown. Epidermal cells of the testa strip-shaped, often attached to hypodermal cells containing brown pigments. Endosperm cells subpolygonal or subrounded. Lumina filled with relatively large aleurone grains and fatty oil droplets. After dissolution of the aleurone grains, grid-like traces remain. Cotyledon cells rectangular. Lumina filled with relatively small aleurone grains and fatty oil droplets. Rancidity Carry out the method for Rancidity Determination (2303). Acid Value Not more than 40.0. Carbonyl Value Not more than 30.0. Peroxide Value Not more than 0.26. Aflatoxins Carry out the method for determination of Aflatoxins (2351). Contains: Aflatoxin B₁: not more than 5 μg/kg Total aflatoxins (B₁ + B₂ + G₁ + G₂): not more than 10 μg/kg Prepared Slices Processing Platycladi Semen Remove foreign matter and the remaining testa. Description As required for the crude drug. Water Not more than 6.0% (0832, Method 1). Rancidity As required for the crude drug. Acid Value As required for the crude drug. Carbonyl Value As required for the crude drug. Peroxide Value As required for the crude drug. Aflatoxins As required for the crude drug. Platycladi Semen (Frost-like Powder) Prepare the cleaned Platycladi Semen into frost-like powder according to the method for Frost-like Powder Preparation (0213). Description Pale yellow powder. Uniform and loose. Slightly oily. Odour slightly aromatic. Acid Value As required for the crude drug. Carbonyl Value As required for the crude drug. Peroxide Value As required for the crude drug. Aflatoxins As required for the crude drug. Property and Flavor Neutral; sweet. Meridian Tropism Heart, Kidney, and Large Intestine meridians. Actions To nourish the heart, calm the spirit, moisten the intestines, relieve constipation, and stop sweating. Indications Deficiency of yin and blood, irritability due to deficiency, insomnia, palpitations, fright palpitations, constipation due to intestinal dryness, and night sweating caused by yin deficiency. Administration and Dosage 3–10 g. Storage Preserve in a cool, dry place, protected from heat and insects.