Formula Formulas that sedate and calm the Mind

Zhen Zhu Mu Wan

珍珠母丸

Also known as:

Mother-of-Pearl Pill

Formula Composition

Zhen Zhu Mu
Zhen Zhu Mu
Long Gu
Long Gu
Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren
Bai Zi Ren
Bai Zi Ren
Fu Shen
Fu Shen
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Shui Niu Jiao
Shui Niu Jiao
Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes the Yin and Blood
  2. Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind
  3. Calms the Liver
  4. Anchors the yang

Patterns Treated

Liver Yang Rising, Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency, Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Formulas of Universal Benefit from My Practice (1132 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zhen Zhu Mu Wan

Main Actions

Nourishes the Yin and Blood
Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind
Calms the Liver
Anchors the yang

Key TCM Concepts

Zhen Zhu Mu Wan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Mother Of Pearl (Zhen Zhu Mu) and Dragon Bones (Long Gu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1132 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that sedate and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Yin and Blood and 2) sedates the Heart and calms the Mind .

 

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 Zhen Zhu Mu Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Yang Rising, Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency or Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as epilepsy or cataract for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Yang Rising
  • Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
  • Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency

Common Applications

Epilepsy Cataract

Ingredients in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Zhen Zhu Mu
Zhen Zhu Mu

Mother of pearl

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used The shell
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Zhen Zhu Mu is salty, cooling and heavy in nature. It calms the Liver and the Mind, and anchor the overactive Yang.
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Long Gu
Long Gu

Dragon bones

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The fossilized bone or vertebrae
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Long Gu is astringent, slightly cooling and heavy in nature. It calms the Liver and the Mind, and anchor the overactive Yang.
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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 Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Suan Zao Ren sweet, sour, and balanced. The three deputy herbs, Jujube seeds, Biota seeds and Host-wood Poria are often used together. Their combination is able to nourish the Heart, regulate its physiology and calm the Mind. They do so primarily by harmonizing the physiology and nature of the Nutritive Qi and Blood on which the Heart depends for its nourishment.
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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 Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Bai Zi Ren is sweet and acrid. The three deputy herbs, Jujube seeds, Biota seeds and Host-wood Poria are often used together. Their combination is able to nourish the Heart, regulate its physiology and calm the Mind. They do so primarily by harmonizing the physiology and nature of the Nutritive Qi and Blood on which the Heart depends for its nourishment.
View herb details
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 Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Fu Shen is sweet and bland. The three deputy herbs, Jujube seeds, Biota seeds and Host-wood Poria are often used together. Their combination is able to nourish the Heart, regulate its physiology and calm the Mind. They do so primarily by harmonizing the physiology and nature of the Nutritive Qi and Blood on which the Heart depends for its nourishment.
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 Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Dang Gui sweet, acrid, and warming. It tonifies the Qi, nourish the Blood, and enrich the Yin. Thus it assists the key herbs in anchoring the Yang, while providing the Mind with an abode.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Shu Di huang iis sweet, rich, and slightly warming. It tonifies the Qi, nourish the Blood, and enrich the Yin. Thus it assists the key herbs in anchoring the Yang, while providing the Mind with an abode.
View herb details
Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Ren Shen is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warming. It tonifies the Qi, nourish the Blood, and enrich the Yin. Thus it assists the key herbs in anchoring the Yang, while providing the Mind with an abode.
View herb details
Shui Niu Jiao
Shui Niu Jiao

Water buffalo horns

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Liver
Parts Used The horn, as a powder or as thin scrapes
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Shui Niu Jiao is bitter, salty, and cooling. It invigorates Qi, clears Heat from the Nutritive Qi and settles fright.
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Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang

Agarwood

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Wood shavings
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Chen Xiang directs the Qi from the Upper into the Lower burner, facilitating the transformation of hyperactive Yang into physiological Qi.
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Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha

Cinnabar

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
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 Zhen Zhu Mu Wan, it is used because it focuses the action of the entire formula on the Mind.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zhen Zhu Mu Wan

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

Contraindications

This formula contains a number of cloying ingredients and is therefore contraindicated in the treatment of insomnia, fright palpitations, and similar conditions in those with patterns of Phlegm-Dampness or Phlegm-Heat.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Zhen Zhu Mu 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.