【Source】
《Annotated Prescriptions for Women (1237)》, 《Effective Prescriptions of the Worldly Physician (1328)》.
【Composition】
Raw Rehmannia Root, Ginseng Root, Figwort Root, Red Sage Root, Poria, Balloonflower Root, Polygala Root, Sour Jujube Seed, Biota Seed, Asparagus Root, Ophiopogon Root, Chinese Angelica Root, Schisandra Fruit, Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome (Annotation: One version contains 4 qian of Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome and no Schisandra Fruit; another version contains Licorice Root)
(15 ingredients)
【Categories】
<Blood Tonics>: Chinese Angelica Root
<Yin Tonics>: Ophiopogon Root, Asparagus Root
<Clear Heat and Cool Blood>: Raw Rehmannia Root
<Qi Tonics>: Ginseng Root
<Tonify Spleen and Promote Diuresis>: Poria
<Invigorate Blood and Remove Stasis>: Red Sage Root
<Transform Phlegm>: Balloonflower Root
<Astringents>: Schisandra Fruit
<Calm Spirit>: Biota Seed, Sour Jujube Seed, Polygala Root
<Clear Heat and Purge Fire>: Figwort Root
<Open Orifices>: Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome
【Formula’s Actions】
《Medical Prescriptions》: Hand Shaoyin (Heart) Meridian medicine. (1) Raw Rehmannia Root, Figwort Root: These are northern herbs that tonify water to control fire, embodying the principle of achieving balance. (2) Red Sage Root, Chinese Angelica Root: Used to generate Heart Blood. (3) Blood is generated from Qi; Ginseng Root, Poria: Used to benefit Heart Qi. (4) Ginseng Root combined with Ophiopogon Root and Schisandra Fruit also forms *Sheng Mai San* (Pulse-Engendering Powder). The Heart governs the vessels, and the Lung is the Heart’s canopy and governs all vessels. Tonifying the Lung and engendering the pulse causes Lung Qi to descend. (5) Asparagus Root: Its bitter flavor enters the Heart, and its cold nature purges fire. Together with Ophiopogon Root, they are moistening agents that nourish water and moisten dryness. (6) Sour Jujube Seed, Schisandra Fruit: The sour flavor astringes and curbs the dispersion of Heart Qi. (7) Polygala Root, Sour Jujube Seed, Biota Seed: Used to nourish the Heart Spirit. (8) Balloonflower Root: Clears the Lung and benefits the diaphragm. It is used as an envoy to carry other medicines upwards to the Heart. (9) Cinnabar: Its red color enters the Heart, its cold nature purges heat and heavily calms the spirit. It should be regularly taken by scholars. 《Corrections and Supplements》: Ke Qin said: The Heart governs fire, and that which governs it is the spirit. When fire is excessive, the spirit is distressed. The Heart houses the spirit, so to tonify the spirit, one must tonify the Heart; to tonify the Heart, one must clear its fire, and only then will the spirit be at peace. Therefore, the Heart-tonifying pill uses raw Rehmannia Root as the chief ingredient, taking advantage of its descending action to the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian to nourish water. When water is abundant, it can subdue fire. This is not to tonify the Heart’s Yang, but to tonify the Heart’s spirit. Every fruit kernel has a “ren” (seed/kernel), just as the Heart has its spirit. For clearing Qi, there is nothing like Biota Seed; for tonifying Blood, nothing like Sour Jujube Seed, because their spirit is preserved. Ginseng Root and Poria are sweet to tonify Heart Qi; Schisandra Fruit is sour to astringe Heart Qi; the two “Dongs” (Asparagus Root, Ophiopogon Root) are cold to clear fire in the Qi level. When Heart Qi is harmonized, the spirit naturally returns. Chinese Angelica Root is sweet to tonify Heart Blood; Red Sage Root is cold to generate Heart Blood; Figwort Root is salty to clear fire in the Blood. When Blood is sufficient, the spirit naturally is stored. Furthermore, Balloonflower Root acts as a boat and oar, and Polygala Root acts as a guide, harmonizing all the herbs, allowing them to enter the Heart and calm the spirit. If one nourishes life with this, all parts of the body will obey, and what worries would there be about forgetfulness, palpitations, dry body fluids, canker sores on the tongue, or difficult defecation?
【Functions】
Nourishes Yin and moistens dryness, tonifies the Heart and calms the Spirit.
【Therapeutic Use】
Excessive contemplation, Yin deficiency and Blood depletion, insufficient Heart Blood, restless spirit, palpitations, vexation, fatigue, nocturnal emissions, forgetfulness, dry body fluids, dry throat and mouth, difficult dry stool, canker sores in the mouth and on the tongue, red tongue with scanty coating, thin and rapid pulse. 《Medical Prescriptions》: Excessive contemplation, insufficient Heart Blood, palpitations and forgetfulness, excessive sweating over the heart region, constipation or loose stools, canker sores in the mouth and on the tongue. 《Corrections and Supplements》: Insufficient Heart Blood, restless spirit, depletion of body fluids, forgetfulness and palpitations, difficult defecation, canker sores in the mouth and on the tongue, and other related syndromes.
【Indications】
Hypotension, neurasthenia, insomnia, psychosis, arrhythmia.
【Mnemonic】
(1)Sheng Mai San + Spirit-calming herbs = Zhi Zao Chang Bai Fu Dan (Polygala Root, Sour Jujube Seed, Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome, Biota Seed, Poria, Red Sage Root) + Ji Xiang Tian Di Xuan Huang Gui Lai (Balloonflower Root, Asparagus Root, Raw Rehmannia Root, Figwort Root, Chinese Angelica Root). (2) Two “Dongs” (Asparagus Root, Ophiopogon Root), two “Rens” (Sour Jujube Seed, Biota Seed), three “Shens” (Ginseng Root, Figwort Root, Red Sage Root) + …
【Modifications】
(1) If experiencing palpitations and vexation with restless sleep, add Caulis Polygoni Multiflori and Longan Aril to nourish blood, nurture the Heart, and calm the spirit. (2) If experiencing seminal emission or spermatorrhea, add Euryale Seed, Cherokee Rose Fruit, and Oyster Shell to astringe and stop emissions. (3) If Heart Fire is excessive, add Gardenia Fruit to clear Heart Fire. (4) If insomnia is severe, add Dragon Bone and Magnetite to enhance the spirit-calming effect.
【Pharmacology】
Anti-myocardial infarction, enhances immune function, sedation, anticonvulsant, anti-arrhythmic, etc.