Herbal Sleep Aid (Jujube-10) 60 tablets, 750 mg
		History Herbal Sleep Aid is based on the traditional Chinese formula Suan Zao Ren Tang, originally created by Dr. Chang Chung-Ching in 220 A.D.

Formula Philosophy by Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac. A.H.G
Secara's Chief Herbalist, Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac. A.H.G., one of the world's leading herbalists, has based Herbal Sleep Aid Jujube-10 on a time-honored Chinese formula used as a sleep aid. To enhance the formula's action for insomnia and depression, Christopher Hobbs, Secara's Chief Herbalist, has added organic Skullcap Herb, which has a proven calming effect; Hawthorn standardized extract, a sedative that quells anxiety related to insomnia and mood disorders; Passionflower standardized extract, which has a proven calming effect on the central nervous system for both insomnia and anxiety; organic Lavender Oil, a proven anti-depressant and mood elevator; and Valerian Oil, a GABA A enhancer, that has been shown to be beneficial to patients with insomnia.

Organic Content
26% of the herbs used in this product were organically grown.

Indications
Irritability. Inability to sleep. Palpitations. Night sweats. Dizziness and vertigo.

Contraindications
None known.

Warning
Use caution when patient is taking benzodiazepines, barbiturates or other sedative medications, anti-psychotics and anti-epileptics.

Dosage
3-5 pills at dinner and again at bedtime.

Supporting Clinical Research for Skullcap, Passionflower and Valerian:
Dietary supplements used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Lippincotts Prim Care Pract. 1999 May-Jun;3(3):290-304. CONCLUSION: Agents discussed for use in sleep disorders include melatonin, valerian, 5-hydroxytryptamine, catnip, chamomile, gotu kola, hops, L-tryptophan, lavender, passionflower, skullcap, and valerian. 

Valerian. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Apr 15;67(8):1755-8. CONCLUSION: Valerian improves subjective experiences of sleep when taken nightly over one- to two-week periods, and it appears to be a safe sedative/hypnotic choice in patients with mild to moderate insomnia.

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.) - a reliable herbal sedative. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):404-6. CONCLUSION: Many pharmacological investigations confirm the sedative effects of Passiflorae herba. Passiflora extracts are an important factor in the phytotherapy of tenseness, restlessness and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep.

Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Oct;26(5):363-7. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder. The low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract compared to oxazepam is an advantage.

	Jujube Seeds (suan zao ren) 5:1 Extract 809 mg Organic Licorice Root (gan cao) 465 mg Anemarrhena Rhizome (zhi mu) 5:1 Extract 323 mg Poria Sclerotium (fu ling) 5:1 Extract 323 mg Sichuan Lovage Rhizome (chuan xiong) 5:1 Extract 323 mg Organic Skullcap Herb 300 mg Hawthorn Leaf & Flower 2.0% Flavonoids (5mg) 240 mg Passionflower Herb 3.5% Vitexin (7mg) 195 mg Valerian Oil 15 mg Organic Lavender Oil 8 mg
This formula is 26% organic.

Secara uses organic herbs whenever possible and does not use endangered plant or animal species. This product is manufactured in the U.S. in GMP certified facilities and is free of animal and dairy products, soy, artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives.

Modifying Herbs

Skullcap: Skullcap was well known among the Cherokee and other Native American tribes as a strong emmenagogue and medicinal herb for women.

Skullcap has a taste of BITTER, SWEET and a temperature of COOL.

Skullcap is a relaxing nervine and anti-spasmodic recommended by herbalists to relieve headache, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, nervous exhaustion and teething. It is sometimes used to ease the discomfort of drug and alcohol withdrawal and it is often considered one of the best herbs to lower excessive sexual desire.

While there are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that Skullcap interacts with any conventional medications, it does possess sedative properties. Therefore, Skullcap should be used with caution by those who are taking benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications) such as diazepam or alprazolam, barbiturates (medications often prescribed for sleep disorders or seizures) such as pentobarbital, or other sedative medications (including anti-histamines).

Though unlikely, Skullcap may interact with or even potentiate the activity of pharmaceutical preparations that act on the central nervous system, including tranquilizers, anti-psychotics and anti-epileptics.

To review recent clinical research on Skullcap click on the PubMed link listed below:

Phytochemical and biological analysis of skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.): a medicinal plant with anxiolytic properties.

Hawthorn: Hawthorn has a long history of safe use for strengthening, tonifying and protecting the cardiovascular system, particularly the Heart, when used long-term. It is used for palpitations, angina, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Hawthorn has also been used for its mild sedative properties. The fruits are considered digestive aids, reducing food stagnation, gas, belching and feelings of fullness.

Hawthorn has a taste of SOUR, SWEET and a temperature of WARMING.

Hawthorn contains anthocyanidins and flavonoids that act as anti-oxidants. Hawthorn preparations can dilate cardiac blood vessels, allowing more blood to perfuse the heart muscle. Over a long period of time, this can have a strengthening effect. Hawthorn extracts are very safe to use. The leaves and flowers are more potent for their cardiotonic and mild sedative effects, whereas the fruits are used in Chinese medicine to help relieve food stagnation.

Though unlikely, Hawthorn may potentiate the effects of digitalis. See your health care provider before taking Hawthorn if you are taking digoxin.

To review recent clinical research on Hawthorn click on the PubMed link listed below:

Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Valerian Oil: Valerian has been used for centuries to help relieve digestive problems, emotional stress, sleeplessness, nervousness, menstrual and intestinal cramps and muscle pain.

Valerian has a taste of SWEET, SPICY and a temperature of WARM.

Several clinical studies support the sleep-promoting and central nervous system-relaxing qualities of Valerian. It has also been touted for its diuretic and expectorant properties.

Long-term use in therapeutic amounts may cause minor side effects such as headaches, excitability and insomnia. Valerian is not as effective for people with deficiency and internal heat who manifest such symptoms as mild anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, fatigue or general weakness.

There are no known herb drug interactions for Valerian.

To review recent clinical research on Valerian click on the PubMed links listed below:

Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care.

Antispasmodic effects of valeriana compounds: an in-vivo and in-vitro study on the guinea-pig ileum.

A combination of plant extracts in the treatment of outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood: controlled study versus placebo.

Passionflower: Passionflower is a widely used, safe and mild sedative that can be taken over a long period of time. As a nervine, it is indicated for anxiety, insomnia caused by mental worry, nightmares and hysteria. It is particularly useful for people with overactive imaginations and paranoia. Passionflower is taken for PMS, dysmenorrhea and menopause symptoms, including nervous restlessness. It also has a beneficial effect when taken for heart palpitations and hypertension because of its mild vessel-dilating effect.

Passionflower has a taste of BITTER and a temperature of COOL.

There are no notable cautions or known herb drug interactions for Passionflower.

To review recent clinical research on Passionflower click on the PubMed links listed below:

Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam.

A combination of plant extracts in the treatment of outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood: controlled study versus placebo.

Lavender Oil: Written records of the use of Lavender for medicinal purposes date back as far as 60 A.D. to the writings of Dioscorides.

Lavender has a taste of AROMATIC, SPICY and a temperature of COOL.

Lavender Flower is used to lift the spirits and allay nausea and is said to have a slight sedative quality. Lavender Oil is used internally and externally to treat spasms, colic and neuralgia. Lavender Oil is effective topically for burns, and a few drops of it may be added to baths before bedtime for persons with sleep disorders. Lavender has long been used in traditional medicine for nervous stomach, spasmodic conditions, flatulence, nervous headache, neuralgia and vomiting.

There are no notable cautions or known herb drug interactions for Lavender Oil.

This information is based on third-party reference materials and Secara cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or reliability. Secara assumes no liability for any claims by a third party for loss that may arise from reliance on this information.

These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Herbal Sleep Aid (Jujube-10)
60 tablets, 750 mg