Zhizichi Decoction (栀子豉汤) firstly recorded in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by Zhang Zhongjing, was included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescriptions (second batch) published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is a classic prescription for treating “restlessness due to deficiency” and “inner distress”. The formula of ZhiziChi Decoction is simple. Modern pharmacological studies have found that the active components of Zhizichi Decoction have the effects such as sedation and sleep induction, hypoglycemic action, regulation of lung tissue damage, protection of liver and myocardial cells. This classic formula is used to treat agrypnia and annoyance with heat, clinically, it has been used for treatment of neurological disorders and gastrointestinal diseases. This paper systematically summarizes and sorts out the pharmacological effects, modern clinical applications and modern research of Zhizichi Decoction, which can provide a theoretical basis for the future research and development of ZhiziChi Decoction.

Zhizichi Decoction  /  hypnotic sedation  /  anti-depression  /  insomnia  /  depression