Formula Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind

Ding Zhi Wan

定志丸

Also known as:

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan , Settle the Emotions Pill , Calm the Shen and Settle the Emotions Pill

Formula Composition

Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu
Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies the Heart Qi
  2. Pacifies timidity
  3. Calms the Mind

Patterns Treated

Phlegm Misting the Heart

Historical Origin

Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces (650 AD )

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ding Zhi Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies the Heart Qi
Pacifies timidity
Calms the Mind

Key TCM Concepts

Ding Zhi Wan is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 650 AD, 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) pacifies timidity.

 

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 Ding Zhi Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm Misting the Heart. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as general anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or myopia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm Misting the Heart

Common Applications

General anxiety disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Myopia Seizures Neurasthenia Arrhythmia Tachycardia Anxiety disorders Depression

Ingredients in Ding Zhi Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Ding Zhi Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ding Zhi Wan
Ren Shen is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warming. It powerfully tonifies the Primal Qi of all five Yin Organs, while also benefiting the Heart Qi and calming the Mind.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ding Zhi Wan
Fu Ling is bland and neutral. It calms the Heart and the Mind. It is specificallyindicated for palpitations, insomnia, or forgetfulness due to Heart Deficiency or internal obstruction of turbid Phlegm. The Key and deputy herbs focus on the Heart to tonify its Qi, promoting the elimination of Dampness and, via the fluid enriching action of Ginseng, ensure that the physiological Body Fluids are not damaged.
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Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu

Sweetflag rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ding Zhi Wan
Shi Chang Pu is acrid, bitter, aromatic, and slightly warming. It opens the orifices, dislodges Phlegm, removes filth, and quiets the Mind. The two assistant herbs are often used in combination, relying on theiracrid quality to disperse stagnation and their bitter quality to drain and direct downward, thereby transforming Phlegm and opening the orifices.
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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 Ding Zhi Wan
Yuan Zhi is acrid, slightly warming, and drying. It disseminates, drains, unblocks, and thrusts outward to assist in the free movement of the Heart Qi. It opens Stagnation and guides the Kidney Qi upward to reach the Heart, thereby reestablishing harmonious communication between the Heart and Kidneys.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ding Zhi Wan

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

Contraindications

Characterized by its acrid and warming properties, this formula should not be administered unaltered when addressing patterns related to Blood or Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ding Zhi 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.