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Celestial Emperor Heart-Supplementing Elixir
天王补心丹 〔天王補心丹〕tiān wáng bǔ xīn dān
Source: Shè Shēng Mì Pōu Fāng 摄生秘剖方
Alternate Chinese names:
Ingredients:
- Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]) 20g
- Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 30g
- Tiān dōng (天冬 Asparagi Radix, asparagus [root]) 30g
- Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]) 30g
- Xuán shēn (玄参 Scrophulariae Radix, scrophularia [root]) 15g
- Dān shēn (丹参 Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, salvia [root]) 15g
- Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 15g
- Yuǎn zhì (远志 Polygalae Radix, polygala [root]) 15g
- Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 30g
- Wǔ wèi zǐ (五味子 Schisandrae Fructus, schisandra [berry]) 30g
- Bǎi zǐ rén (柏子仁 Platycladi Semen, arborvitae seed) 30g
- Suān zǎo rén (酸枣仁 Ziziphi Spinosi Semen, spiny jujube [kernel]) 30g
- Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) 15g
- Zhū shā (朱砂 Cinnabaris , cinnabar) 15g
Action: Enrich yīn and nourish the blood; supplements the heart and quiets the spirit.
Indication: Insufficiency of yīn-blood and disquieted heart spirit manifesting as vacuity vexation, heart palpitation, insomnia, forgetfulness, dry stool, and in some cases mouth and tongue sores or vacuity heat night sweating. Tongue: Red with scant fur. Pulse: Fine and rapid.
Category: Spirit-quieting formulas / Nourishing spirit-quieting formulas
Method: Grind to a fine powder, blend with honey, form into pills, and coat with cinnabar. Can also be prepared as a decoction.
Dosage: 6–9g twice a day, or once before bed. Take with warm water.
Rationale: Shēng dì huáng nourishes kidney water, helping to control the fire. Mài dōng, Tiān dōng, and Xuán shēn help the Shēng dì huáng to nourish yīn and downbear the fire that disturbs the heart spirit. Dān shēn and Dāng guī combined with Shēng dì huáng nourish the heart blood. Rén shēn —or Dǎng shēn— and Fú líng supplement heart qì. Bǎi zǐ rén, Wǔ wèi zǐ, and Suān zǎo rén supplement heart qì. Yuǎn zhì and Jié gěng conduct all the agents to the heart to ensure the maximum spirit-quieting effect. Zhū shā is used in this formula only for its spirit-quieting effect. See Zhū shā ān shén wán (朱砂安神神丸 Cinnabar Spirit-Quieting Pill)for a slightly broader application.
Variations:
- Severe
heart palpitation or racing of the heart: Add Lóng chǐ (龙齿 Mastodi Dentis Fossilia, dragon tooth) and Lóng yǎn ròu (龙眼肉 Longan Arillus, longan flesh). Dry throat : Add Shí hú (石斛 Dendrobii Herba, dendrobium) and Yù zhú (玉竹 Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Solomon's seal [root]).Mouth sores : Lián zǐ (莲子 Nelumbinis Fructus/Semen, lotus fruit/seed) and Dì gǔ pí (地骨皮 Lycii Cortex, lycium bark).Night sweating andseminal emission : Add Jīn yīng zǐ (金樱子 Rosae Laevigatae Fructus, Cherokee rose fruit) and Nuò dào gēn xū (糯稻根须 Oryzae Glutinosae Radix, glutinous rice root).