The function of sour jujube seed is to nourish the heart yin, benefit the liver blood, and calm the mind. It is a nourishing sedative. However, raw and roasted sour jujube seeds have different effects on sleep: the raw seed has a stimulating effect and is specifically for treating drowsiness, making it suitable for people who can never seem to wake up. For all other purposes, the roasted seed should be used.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the reason for insomnia is explained as an unsettled mind. Normally, the mind resides in the heart blood and heart yin. Only when the mind has returned home can a person sleep peacefully. If the heart blood is deficient and the heart yin is insufficient, the "house" for the mind becomes too small, or even non-existent. Consequently, the mind wanders about, leading to insomnia. Therefore, sour jujube seed is like building a house for the mind, allowing it to settle in securely.
Because the sedative effect of sour jujube seed is different from Western medicine—it does not directly inhibit the excitability of the nervous system but rather builds a house for the mind—it takes time to work. Therefore, when using it to treat insomnia, you should start taking it during the day. A dosage of 20 to 30 grams per day is sufficient. However, it is crucial to note that to use sour jujube seed for sedation, it must be roasted. If you buy it from a pharmacy, be sure to purchase roasted sour jujube seed directly.