【Sources】

“Zhizhi” (1264), Vol. 11 of “Nanke Zhengzhi Jun Sheng Fang” (1607).

 【Composition】

Astragalus propinquus, Poria cocos (spirit), Poria cocos, Pinellia ternata, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum wallichii, Polygala tenuifolia, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa, Cinnamomum cassia, Platycladus orientalis, Schisandra chinensis, Ginseng, Licorice, Fresh ginger, Jujube
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 【Categorization】

<Nourishing Blood>: Angelica sinensis

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Qi>: Licorice, Jujube

<Tonifying Qi>: Ginseng, Astragalus propinquus

<Releasing Exterior with Pungent Warmth>: Fresh ginger

<Warming Interior>: Cinnamomum cassia

<Tonifying Spleen and Promoting Diuresis>: Poria cocos, Poria cocos (spirit)

<Invigorating Blood and Dispelling Stasis>: Ligusticum wallichii

<Resolving Phlegm>: Pinellia ternata

<Astringing>: Schisandra chinensis

<Calming the Spirit>: Platycladus orientalis, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa, Polygala tenuifolia

【Formula Meaning】

From “Yifang”: This formula treats the Hand Shaoyin channel. (1) Ginseng, Astragalus propinquus: To tonify heart qi. (2) Ligusticum wallichii, Angelica sinensis: To nourish heart blood. (3) Poria cocos (spirit), Poria cocos, Polygala tenuifolia, Platycladus orientalis, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa: To clear heart heat and calm the spirit. (4) Schisandra chinensis: To astringe the scattered spirit. (5) Pinellia ternata: To remove phlegm-saliva that disturbs the heart. (6) Licorice: To tonify the earth to support the heart. (7) Red cinnamon: To guide the herbs into the heart channel. (8) Moisten to nourish, warm to tonify, sour to astringe, pungent to soothe, thus the heart receives its nourishment.

 【Functions】

Nourishes blood and heart, calms the spirit and settles the will.

 【Indications】

Heart deficiency with blood scarcity, palpitations, or night sweats, insomnia, feverishness, restlessness, or deficiency heat attacking upwards, leading to sores and carbuncles. “Yifang”: Heart deficiency with blood scarcity, restless spirit, palpitations, and fright.

 【Therapeutic Uses】

Various deficiency syndromes, anemia, memory impairment, insomnia, neurasthenia, and neurogenic tachycardia.

 【Mnemonic】

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Major Tonifying Decoction) minus Atractylodes macrocephala, Paeonia lactiflora, Rehmannia glutinosa (sweeping the ground quickly) + Shen Zhi Wu Ban Zao Bai (Spirit and Will do not accompany dregs – spirit, will, five, half, jujube, cypress).