Formula Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind

Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan

柏子养心汤

Also known as:

Arborvitae Seed Pill to Nourish the Heart , Biota Seeds Pill to Nourish the Heart

Formula Composition

Bai Zi Ren
Bai Zi Ren
Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Fu Shen
Fu Shen
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies the Heart Qi
  2. Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
  3. Nourish the Heart Blood

Patterns Treated

Heart Blood Deficiency, Heart Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Ye Tian Shi Gynecology (16th century)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies the Heart Qi
Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
Nourish the Heart Blood

Key TCM Concepts

Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren) and Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 16th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Heart Qi and 2) calms the Mind and clear anxiety .

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Blood Deficiency or Heart Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as angina, endocarditis or arrhythmia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Heart Blood Deficiency
  • Heart Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Angina Endocarditis Arrhythmia Essential hypertension Myocardial infarction Pericarditis Myocarditis Rheumatic heart disease Mitral stenosis Tricuspid valve disease Heart failure Palpitations Excessive dreams Chest congestion Chest distention

Ingredients in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Bai Zi Ren
Bai Zi Ren

Biota seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Bai Zi Ren's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit. Moistens the Intestines and relieves constipation."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it calm the Mind.
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Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Huang Qi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it tonifies overall Qi.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Mai Dong enriches the Yin and clear Empty Heat due to Yin Deficiency. It is also very effective in calming the Mind.
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it supports the Heart Qi.
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Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi

Chinese senega roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used The dried root
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Yuan Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit. Expels Phlegm from the Heart orifices. Expels Phlegm from the Lungs. Diminishes abscesses."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it calm the Mind.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Blood to nourish the Heart without causing Stagnation.
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Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren

Jujube seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Suan Zao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Heart Yin and calms the spirit. Contains Fluid leakage."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it prevents the leakage of Heart Qi and Yin Fluids.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it harmonizes the ingredients of the formula.
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Fu Shen
Fu Shen

Host-wood Poria

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart
Parts Used The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Fu Shen's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it Calms the Mind and promote urination.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Chuan Xiong regulates and moves the Blood and relieves Wind-Cold and pain. It also circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner and relieves headaches.
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Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi

Schisandra berries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe fruits
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Wu Wei Zi tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence as well as tonifies the Heart and calms the Mind. It also retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Finally, it prevents the leakage of Heart Qi and Yin Fluids.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."

In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.