Biota Seed
Biota Seed (Bai Zi Ren)
Botanical Name: Platycladus orientalis
Biota seed (not to be confused with biota leaf, Ce Bai Ye, which is used to treat bleeding disorders) is used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) to help calm the mind and open the heart. It is often combined with asparagus root and reishi. It is calming, mildly sedating, and helps support digestion. In China, it is associated with long life and vitality. The wood is used in Buddhist temples both for construction work and as incense for burning during ceremonies.
Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – Three Keys To Biota Seed.
Below is an overview of biota seed, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of biota seed.
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Western
Western Name: Biota Seed
Also Known As: Arborvitae (meaning “Tree of Life” in Latin), Arbor-vitae seed
Organs/Systems: Nervous, Intestines
Key Actions: Sedative, Mild Laxative
Medicinal Uses: Insomnia, anxiety.
Eastern
Pin Yin: Bai Zi Ren
Also Known As: N/A
Meridians: Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine, Spleen
Key Actions: Nourishes the Heart, Calms the Spirit (Shen), Moistens the Intestines, Unblocks the Bowels, Yin and Blood Deficiency
Medicinal Uses: Insomnia, poor memory, anxiety, palpitations, constipation in the elderly, sick, or postpartum women, relaxation of the bowels, treats bloody stools, menstrual constipation, and heavy or irregular menstrual flow, night sweats due to Yin deficiency. Topically used to treat burns and hair loss.
Basic Habitat / Botany:
Biota is a distinct slow-growing genus of evergreen coniferous tree or shrub from the Cypress Family of plants containing only one species (Platycladus orientalis). They can grow to be about 45 feet tall. When cultivated, it produces a vast quantity of seeds. The foliage forms in flat sprays with scale-like leaves 2-4 mm long. The cones are green and ripen into brown about eight months after pollination.
The Biota tree is native to China. It prefers moist soil.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Seed, Oil
Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Neutral
Caution: Considered safe, with no known side effects. According to some traditional Chinese texts, biota seeds antagonize Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua).
Key Constituents: Saponins, Benzine
History/Folklore:
Biota seed (Bai Zi Ren) is not to be confused with biota leaf (Ce Bai Ye). The seeds are known for their calming and sedating properties, and the leaves are reputed to cool the blood and stop bleeding.
The most common varieties are American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), Japanese Thuja (Thuja standishii), and Chinese arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis).
The common name, “Arborvitae,” is from the Latin, meaning “Tree of Life,” and is based on the plant’s association with long life and vitality in Buddhist thought. The tree is famous for its perennial evergreen nature in the cold, dry climates of Northwest China, and for living for thousands of years.
Like Bonsai, the trees are commonly grown along walkways into shapes and designs or as a privacy fence. In the wild, they can grow to be 45 feet tall.
Biota seed differs from other sedating herbs, such as sour jujube seed (Suan Zao Ren) or senega root (Yuan Zhi), in that biota seed emphasizes nourishing the Heart, and sour jujube seed focuses on Tonifying the Liver. Secondly, biota seeds Moisten Dryness in the Intestines, while senega root astringes Yin to promote Fluid production for quenching thirst.
Good Quality
Good quality biota seed is full, oily, and yellowish-white.
Hair Loss
Biota seeds are used topically to treat hair loss.
Biota Seed Oil
An oil extracted extract oil from the seeds is thought to prolong life.
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