Single Herb Series: zhīzǐ

1 Free Herbal CEU (pending)

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Zhīzǐ is an important herb in classical Chinese medicine, yet one that is often under appreciated in modern clinical practice. Zhāng Zhòngjǐng developed eight formulas that include zhīzǐ in their titles, along with several others that rely on it without naming it directly. Despite this prominence in the classical canon, zhīzǐ frequently takes a back seat to more commonly emphasized herbs such as Chái Hú, Dāng Guī, Guì Zhī, and Fù Zǐ.

In this class, Sharon will put this incredibly useful herb back on the map, exploring why zhīzǐ deserves a more central place in the practitioner’s clinical toolbox and how it can become a regularly used herb in everyday practice.
In two recent blog posts, Sharon explored Zhīzǐ Chǐ Tāng and Zhīzǐ Gān Jiāng Tāng and their application in patients with insomnia. Zhīzǐ also plays a key role in widely used non-classical formulas such as Dān Zhī Xiāo Yáo Sǎn, Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Tāng, and Dr. Huáng Huáng’s Bā Wèi Chú Fán Tāng.

This lecture will focus on how to recognize and diagnose a zhīzǐ pattern, and how zhīzǐ functions within different formula architectures. Zhīzǐ is a remarkable herb with applications in sleep disorders, anxiety, jaundice, uterine bleeding, skin diseases, and more. Understanding its classical logic and clinical versatility can greatly expand a practitioner’s diagnostic and prescribing confidence. Clinical reasoning and practical application will be emphasized.

You can find three posts related to Zhīzǐ and written by Sharon in the White Pine Circle Blog

Sharon Weizenbaum graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture in 1983. She has studied many times in China with a focus on gynecology, obstetrics and, in the last 15 years, Classic Formulas. Sharon teaches internationally, publishes articles, translates much of her own course material and is the director of the clinic White Pine Healing Arts and the primary instructor of the White Pine Graduate Mentorship Program.