Taipei City Hospital Research Proves Zizyphus Combination
Taipei City Hospital Research Proves Zizyphus Combination
(Suan Zao Ren Tang) is Effective in Aiding Sleep
Although many people want to use Chinese medicine to treat insomnia, they are not sure whether it is effective or not. TCM Doctor Jia-hao Ye, of the Yang Ming Branch of Taipei City Hospital, points to a study done at his hospital where 58 women suffering from menopausal insomnia were given Zizyphus Combination (Suan Zao Ren Tang). Of the original 58 subjects, 49 women had finished the study. Using the Pittsburg Insomnia Rating Scale to analyze the benefits of the treatment, it was discovered that after 4 weeks of taking the formula, there was, on average, a notably improvement in the quality of sleep.
Regarding the issue of undesirable side effects, the research also discovered that, aside from those who suffered from stomach pain, chest pain, or gastric acid reflux, short-term use of the formula was considerably safe.
Dr. Jia-hao Ye points out that the many people do not like to take sleep medications or sedatives, can consider using Chinese medicine to treat their insomnia. However, some people doubt that Chinese medicine is safe or even effective. Although there is numerous years of accumulated experience by practitioners of Chinese medicine using Zizyphus Combination (Suan Zao Ren Tang) and other classic formulas, research on humans is relatively scant. The research mentioned above is the first to analyze the safety and effectiveness of Zizyphus Combination (Suan Zao Ren Tang).
Using the Internationally recognized Pittsburg Insomnia Rating Scale to assess the effects of the formula, it was shown that 4 weeks of treatment with Zizyphus Combination (Suan Zao Ren Tang) actually did improve the quality of sleep for women suffering from menopausal insomnia. Of the original 58 women in the study, three did not return for treatment, and six left the study due to side effects. Side effects included gastric reflux, stomach pain, chest pain and slight abnormalities in liver function.
Dr. Jia-hao Ye further points out that the research indicates as long as a person does not have stomach pain, chest pain, or gastric reflux the formula's has positive effects on menopausal insomnia and is decidedly safe. He says that in the future, research on this formula, or similar research can utilize methods such as randomized trials or double blind studies to obtain even more concrete medical evidence.