Formula Formulas that sedate and calm the Mind

Sheng Tie Luo Yin

生铁落饮

Also known as:

Iron Filings Drink

Formula Composition

Sheng Tie Luo
Sheng Tie Luo
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha
Dan Nan Xing
Dan Nan Xing
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Gou Teng
Gou Teng
Dan Shen
Dan Shen
Fu Shen
Fu Shen
Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu
Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi
Tian Men Dong
Tian Men Dong
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Sedates the Heart
  2. Clears Phlegm
  3. Clears Fire
  4. Calms the Mind

Patterns Treated

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart

Historical Origin

Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies (1732 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Sheng Tie Luo Yin

Main Actions

Sedates the Heart
Clears Phlegm
Clears Fire
Calms the Mind

Key TCM Concepts

Sheng Tie Luo Yin is a 15-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Oxidized Iron Filings (Sheng Tie Luo) and Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1732 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that sedate and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) sedates the Heart and 2) clears Phlegm.

 

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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as epilepsy, bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart

Common Applications

Epilepsy Bi-Polar disorder Schizophrenia Mania depression Mania

Ingredients in Sheng Tie Luo Yin

Detailed information about each herb in Sheng Tie Luo Yin and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Sheng Tie Luo
Sheng Tie Luo

Oxidized iron filings

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Sheng Tie Luo's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Liver Fire and sedates the Mind. "

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it enters the Liver Channel to treat anger and mania. It strongly anchors and calms the Mind.
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Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha

Cinnabar

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Zhu Sha's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit and Heart. Stops convulsions. Clears Heat and toxins."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it enters the Heart and strongly anchors and calms theMind.
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Dan Nan Xing
Dan Nan Xing

Arisaema with bile

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used The rhizome
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Dan Nan Xing's main actions are as follows: "To clear Heat and resolve Phlegm, dispel Wind and stop convulsions"

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it is bitter and cooling. It dispels Wind-Phlegm and treating seizures.
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Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Chuan Bei Mu is bitter, sweet, and cooling. It enters the Upper Burner to clear Heart Fire and clear Lung stagnation.
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Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen

Ningpo figwort roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Xuan Shen is bitter, sweet, salty, and cooling. It enters the Kidneys and clears floating Heat. It treats mania characterized by extreme confusion and the inability to recognize people.
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Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Lian Qiao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and toxicity from the Blood. Dispels External Wind-Heat. Reduces lumps, swollen lymph nodes and sores of a Heated nature."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it is bitter and slightly cooling. It is also light and opens Stagnation in the Upper Burner.
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Gou Teng
Gou Teng

Gambir stems and thorns

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried stems and thorns from the branches
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Gou Teng's main actions are as follows: "Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it is sweet and slightly cooling. It dispels Wind-Heat and settles fright.
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Dan Shen
Dan Shen

Red sage roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Dan Shen's main actions are as follows: "Invigorates the Blood, breaks up Stasis and eases pain. Clears Heat and calms restlessness."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it is bitter and slightly cooling. It clears the Blood Heat and prevents Blood Stagnation.
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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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Fu Shen's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it is bland and sweet. It clears Dampness and thereby deprives Phlegm of its source.
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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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Shi Chang Pu is acrid and slightly warming. It direct Qi downward and thus works well together with acrid, bitter, and slightly warming Chinese senega root.
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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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin
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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it is acrid, bitter, and slightly warming. It lifts the Qi.
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Tian Men Dong
Tian Men Dong

Chinese asparagus tubers

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used The dry tuber
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Tian Men Dong's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes Yin of the Lungs and Kidneys. Expectorates Phlegm."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it nourishes the Yin to replenish the physiological Body Fluids.
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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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it nourishes the Yin to replenish the physiological Body Fluids.
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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 Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it treats Phlegm at its source by improving the function of the Spleen and Qi.
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Sheng Tie Luo Yin
In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of Sheng Tie Luo Yin, it is used because it treats Phlegm at its source by improving the function of the Spleen and Qi.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Sheng Tie Luo Yin

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, Sheng Tie Luo Yin may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.