Biota seed (biota orientalis)
Synopsis of biota seed
Biota seed refers to the dried seeds of Biota orientalis (also known as Platycladus orientalis or Chinese arborvitae), a coniferous tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). Native to China and Korea, the seeds—known as Bai Zi Ren in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—are prized for their nourishing, calming, and moistening properties, particularly in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and dry constipation.
Biota seeds are rich in volatile oils (including pinene and caryophyllene), fatty acids, lignans, and flavonoids, which contribute to their therapeutic actions:
- Nourish the Heart and calm the Shen (spirit)—used for palpitations, restlessness, and insomnia
- Moisten the intestines and relieve dry, chronic constipation
- Support cognitive and emotional balance
- Provide mild sedative and anxiolytic effects
- Offer neuroprotective and antioxidant benefits, based on emerging pharmacological studies
Unlike stimulating herbs, biota seed acts more as a tonic and relaxant, making it suitable for individuals with nervous exhaustion, aging-related sleep issues, or post-illness recovery.
It is typically taken as part of herbal formulas, powdered, or decocted as a tea. In TCM, it's often combined with herbs like suan zao ren (Ziziphus), fu shen (Poria), and dang gui (Angelica sinensis) to nourish yin, calm the mind, and support blood.
Historical Use:
Biota seed has been used for over 1,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is classified as a Heart and Large Intestine tonic. It is considered sweet, neutral, and moistening, used in patterns of Heart yin deficiency, which manifest as vivid dreams, insomnia, forgetfulness, and emotional agitation.
Classical Chinese texts describe its ability to “quiet the spirit and benefit the essence,” making it a go-to remedy for age-related cognitive decline and emotional imbalance. Its secondary use for constipation due to blood or yin deficiency also made it a dual-purpose herb for elderly patients or those recovering from illness.
Today, biota seed remains a staple in Chinese herbal formulas for sleep, mood, and gentle intestinal support, and is gaining interest in modern herbal medicine for its neuroprotective and adaptogenic properties. It exemplifies the integrative approach of tonifying and calming the body simultaneously, especially in cases of deficiency and emotional fatigue.
Biota seed is used for these health conditions
Anemia (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Asthma (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Cancer (prevention) (Traditional)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Traditional)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Diabetes (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Memory and Brain Function (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Stress (Traditional)
Ulcers (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
biota seed is used to support these body systems
Blood (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
