【Source】

“Synopsis of the Golden Chamber”

 【Composition】

Suan Zao Ren, Gan Cao, Zhi Mu, Fu Ling, Chuan Xiong
(5)

 【Classification】

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Gan Cao

<Tonify Spleen and Promote Water Metabolism>: Fu Ling

<Invigorate Blood and Remove Stasis>: Chuan Xiong

<Calm the Spirit>: Suan Zao Ren

<Clear Heat and Reduce Fire>: Zhi Mu

【Formula Analysis】

“Shan Bu” (Supplement and Reduce): Luo Qianpu said: The classic states that the liver stores the hun (spirit-soul), and when a person sleeps, blood returns to the liver. It also states: The liver is the root of exhaustion. It also states: Yang qi, when disturbed by fatigue, becomes dispersed. Exhaustion must damage the liver, and fatigue leads to depletion of essence. When the liver is damaged and essence is depleted, it leads to virtual exhaustion and virtual vexation, making sleep impossible, which is clear.

Suan Zao Ren is sour and neutral, corresponding to the Shao Yang wood transformation and treating the liver. Exhaustion requires containment and tonification. Use Suan Zao Ren in a dose of two Sheng (a unit of measurement) to nourish the heart blood and liver blood, which is described as “using sourness to contain and using sourness to tonify”. However, liver stagnation desires dispersion, so disperse it with the pungent and dispersing nature of Chuan Xiong, to assist Suan Zao Ren in regulating the liver and circulating blood, which is also described as “using pungent herbs to tonify”

The liver’s urgency desires relaxation, so relax it with the sweet and moderating nature of Gan Cao, to prevent Chuan Xiong from being too dispersing. This is described as “using earth to protect it.” However, one still fears that excessive fatigue will generate fire, damaging yin and yang, and that yang will not flow to yin, thus still preventing sleep. Therefore, add Zhi Mu to strengthen yin water to control fire, and Fu Ling to promote yang water to harmonize yin.

When water is abundant, the hun will naturally be at peace, and when fire is cleared, the spirit will be calm. This is a miraculous formula for treating virtual exhaustion and liver exhaustion. “Han Dian” (Chinese Medicine Dictionary): The main herb in this formula, Suan Zao Ren, is a tonic for the nervous system. Zhi Mu clears internal heat and also has sedative, nourishing, and tonic effects. Chuan Xiong disperses qi stagnation, leading to a clear mind and treating headaches. Fu Ling has tonic, diuretic, and sedative properties. Gan Cao harmonizes the effects of these herbs.

 【Functions】

Tonify deficiency and nourish blood, eliminate vexation and calm the spirit.

 【Indications】

(1) Virtual exhaustion, virtual vexation making sleep impossible, palpitations with night sweats, dizziness and vertigo, dry throat and mouth, fine and wiry pulse. (2) Primarily for virtual exhaustion and virtual vexation causing sleeplessness. Used for individuals with declining physical strength, internal virtual heat, blockage, and inability to sleep peacefully. “Shan Bu” (Supplement and Reduce): Virtual exhaustion, virtual vexation making sleep impossible.

 【Indications】

Insomnia, neurasthenia, night sweats, forgetfulness, excessive dreaming, palpitations, nocturnal emission, etc. Also used for somnolence caused by virtual exhaustion.

 【Mnemonics】

Formula name + the effort to herd a mother pig (Suan Zao Ren, Gan Cao, Zhi Mu, Chuan Xiong, Fu Ling).

 【Modifications】

(1) If startled awake during sleep, with palpitations and excessive dreaming, a pale tongue, and a wiry-fine pulse, indicating deficiency of heart and gallbladder qi, add Ren Shen and Long Gu to tonify qi and calm the spirit. (2) If the pulse is rapid, the tongue is red, and there is significant vexation and restlessness, add Zhi Zi and Huang Lian to clear and purge liver fire. (3) If there is stagnation, add appropriate amounts of He Huan Pi, Ye Jiao Teng, Shi Chang Pu, and Yu Jin to relieve stagnation and calm the spirit.

 【Pharmacology】

Exhibits significant sedative and hypnotic effects.