Formula Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

天王补心丹

Also known as:

Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart , Emperor of Heaven's Tonic Pill for the Mind , Ginseng and Zizyphus Combination , Scholar's or student's formula

Formula Composition

Di Huang
Di Huang
Tian Men Dong
Tian Men Dong
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Dang Shen
Dang Shen
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi
Bai Zi Ren
Bai Zi Ren
Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Enriches the Yin
  2. Nourishes the Blood
  3. Clears Heat
  4. Calms the Mind

Patterns Treated

Heart Yin Deficiency, Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency, Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized, Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys, Yin and Blood Deficiency

Historical Origin

Fine Formulas for Women with Annotations and Commentary (16th century)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Main Actions

Enriches the Yin
Nourishes the Blood
Clears Heat
Calms the Mind

Key TCM Concepts

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Unprepared Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 16th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) enriches the Yin and 2) nourishes the Blood.

 

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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Yin Deficiency, Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency or Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as absence of menstruation, postpartum depression or menopausal syndrome for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Heart Yin Deficiency
  • Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
  • Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
  • Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized
  • Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
  • Yin and Blood Deficiency

Common Applications

Absence of menstruation Postpartum depression Menopausal syndrome Perimenopausal syndrome Chronic urticaria Aphthous ulcers Cardiac disease Nervous exhaustion

Ingredients in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Sheng Di Huang nourishes the Yin and clears Heat. It enriches the Kidney Yin (water), which is then able to control the disturbance of the Mind due to Fire. It is also effective in nourishing the Blood.
View herb details
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Tian Men Dong enriches the Yin and clear Empty Heat due to Yin Deficiency. In fact, all three deputies herbs are noted for their efficacy in calming the Mind.
View herb details
Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Mai Dong enriches the Yin and clear Empty Heat due to Yin Deficiency. In fact, all three deputies herbs are noted for their efficacy in calming the Mind.
View herb details
Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen

Ningpo figwort roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Xuan Shen enriches the Yin and clear Empty Heat due to Yin Deficiency. In fact, all three deputies herbs are noted for their efficacy in calming the Mind.
View herb details
Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it supports the Heart Qi.
View herb details
Dang Shen
Dang Shen

Codonopsis roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Dang Shen tonifies the Blood to nourish the Heart without causing Stagnation. All eight assistant herbs support those functions of the Heart that have beendamaged by worry, thinking, and mental exertion.
View herb details
Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it supports the Heart Qi.
View herb details
Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi

Chinese senega roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used The dried root
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it calm the Mind.
View herb details
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it tonifies the Blood to nourish the Heart without causing Stagnation.
View herb details
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
In general Wu Wei Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen)."

In the context of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it prevents the leakage of Heart Qi and Yin Fluids.
View herb details
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it calm the Mind.
View herb details
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it prevents the leakage of Heart Qi and Yin Fluids.
View herb details
Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it conducts the actions of the other herbs upward toward the upper burner, the abode of the Mind.
View herb details
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha

Cinnabar

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
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 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, it is used because it anchors and calms the wayward Mind.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for Spleen and Stomach weakness with tendency to bloat, loose stools, edema and fluid retention. This is because the ingredients in this formula are Cold and rich.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.