What it Is:
This drug is the ripe kernel of Biotaorientalis (L.) Endl.(family Cupressaceae) which is produced in all parts of China. The fruit is collected in autumn, dried in sunlight, and shelled to get the kernel which is dried in shade for use.

Property:
Flavour and channel tropism: sweet in flavour, neutral in property, acting on the heart, kidney and large intestine channels

Effects:
Nourishing the heart to tranquilize the mind and moistening the bowels to relieve constipa-tion.

Used For:
1. Insomnia due to vexation, palpitation induced by terror and severe palpitation which are attributed to the failure of blood in nourishing the heart. It is often used with wild jujube seed, shisandra fruit and poria, as in Decoction for Nourishing the Heart ( Yangxin Tang).

2. For dryness in the intestines with constipation due to deficiency of yin and insufficiencyof blood, it is often given with bush berryseed, peach kernel and so on, as in Pill of Kernels of Five a Drugs (Wuren Wan).

Dosage and administration: 10-18g, decocted in water for an oral dose.

Precautions:
This herb should be used cautiously in cases of loose stool and profuse phlegm.