Calm the Spirit: Nourish the Heart (Blood and Yin) and Calm the Spirit

Question 1

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dang (Emperor of Heaven’s Special Pill to Tonify the Heart)

Answer 1

Enriches the yin, nourishes the blood, clears heat, and calms the spirit

HT and KD Yin deficiency with Empty-Fire: Irritability, palpitations with anxiety, fatigue, insomnia with very restless sleep, inability to think or concentrate for even short periods oc time, nocturnal emissions, forgetfulness, dry stools, mouth or tongue sore, low grade fever, night sweats

T: red with little coat

P: Thin, rapid

NOTE: This formula is a good choice for elderly patients with sleeping difficulties accompanied by dry-stool constipation

• Sheng Di Huang
• Dan Shen
• Dang Gui
• Bai Zi Ren
• Yuan Zhi
• Ren Shen
• Fu Ling
• Tian Men Dong
• Mai Men dong
• Xuan Shen
• Wu Wei Zi
• Suan Zao Ren
• Jie Geng
• Zhu Sha
• Long Yan Rou

Question 2

Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction)

Answer 2

Nourishes the blood, calms the spirit, clears heat, and eliminates irritability

LV Blood and HT Yin deficiency with Empty-Heat: Inability to sleep, palpitations, anxiety, irritability, night sweats, dizziness and vertigo, dry throat and mouth

T: red and dry

P: wiry, thin, rapid

NOTE: Sometimes this formula us given half hour before bedtime while another formula is given during the day to address the root of the problem

• Suan Zao Ren
• Chuan Xiong
• Fu Ling
• Zhi Mu
• Gan Cao

Question 3

Huang Lian E Jiao Tang (Coptis and Ass-Hide Gelatin Decoction )

Answer 3

Enriches the yin, causes fire to descend, eliminates irritability, and calms the spirit

Fire from Yin deficiency affecting Spirit: irritability with sensation of heat in chest, insomnia, palpitations with anxiety

T: red with dry yellow coat

P: thin, rapid

NOTE Shang Han Lun uses this formula for heat transformation patterns in the Shaoyin level

• Huang Lian
• Huang Qin
• E Jiao
• Bai Shao
• Ji Zi Huang

Question 4

Gan Mai Da Zao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction)

Answer 4

Nourishes the Heart, calms the spirit, harmonizes the middle burner, and relaxes hypertonicity

HT Yin deficiency with LV Qi stagnation causing Restless Organ (Zang Zao) syndrome: Disorientation, frequent attacks of menalcholy, crying spells, inability to control oneself, irritability, palpitations with anxiety, restless sleep sometimes with night sweats, frequent bouts of yawning, abnormal behavior and speech in severe cases

T: red with sparse coat

P:Thin, rapid

NOTE: Fu Xiao Mai is not as strong as Xiao Mai for calming Shen, so it’s best to modify this formula by adding herbs that calm the Shen

• Fu Xiao Mai
• Gan Cao
• Da Zao