Formula Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices

Zhi Bao Dan

至宝丹

Also known as:

Greatest Treasure Special Pill

Formula Composition

Shui Niu Jiao
Shui Niu Jiao
She Xiang
She Xiang
Niu Huang
Niu Huang
Bing Pian
Bing Pian
An Xi Xiang
An Xi Xiang
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha
Hu Po
Hu Po
Xiong Huang
Xiong Huang
Jin Bo
Jin Bo
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat
  2. Opens the sensory orifices
  3. Resolves toxicity
  4. Transforms Phlegm

Patterns Treated

Heat in Pericardium, Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium

Historical Origin

Fine Formulas by Su and Shen (1075)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zhi Bao Dan

Main Actions

Clears Heat
Opens the sensory orifices
Resolves toxicity
Transforms Phlegm

Key TCM Concepts

Zhi Bao Dan is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) and Musk (She Xiang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1075, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and 2) opens the sensory orifices.

 

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 Zhi Bao Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heat in Pericardium or Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute encephalitis, acute meningitis or cerebrovascular accident for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Heat in Pericardium
  • Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium

Common Applications

Acute encephalitis Acute meningitis Cerebrovascular accident Seizure disorder Hepatic coma Toxic dysentery Heat stroke

Ingredients in Zhi Bao Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Zhi Bao Dan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
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 Zhi Bao Dan
Shui Niu Jiao clears Heat from the Nutritive Level and cools the Blood. Its cool, aromatic properties make it useful for treatingHeat that affects the Pericardium Stagnation. Musk and Water buffalo horn works well together to clear Heat and open the sensory orifices.
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She Xiang
She Xiang

Musk

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Musk gland of the deer
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
She Xiang is highly aromatic and scurries everywhere. It penetrates all the Channels and it good for unblocking all the orifices of the body. Musk and Water buffalo horn works well together to clear Heat and open the sensory orifices.
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Niu Huang
Niu Huang

Ox gallstones

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Gallstones (hardened deposits of bile that form in the ox's gallbladder)
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
Niu Huang assists Bubali Water buffalo horn by entering the Heart and Liver Channels to sedate the Heart, calm the Mind, clear heat, resolve toxicity, extinguish Wind, and settle spasms and convulsions. It also clears Phlegm and opening the sensory orifices. Traditional this formula also includes Hawksbill Turtle Shell (Dai Mao), which serves the same purpose as Ox Gallstone. However, this ingredient is no longer available due to the restriction in hunting Hawksbill Turtle. Therefore, the dosage of Ox Gallstone should be increased to replace Hawksbill Turtle Shell.
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Bing Pian
Bing Pian

Borneol

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Organic compound obtained from plant extracts
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
In general Bing Pian's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Orifices and awakens the spirit. Clears Heat and relieves pain."

In the context of Zhi Bao Dan, it is used because it is also highly aromatic. It opens the sensory orifices and clears away filth.
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An Xi Xiang
An Xi Xiang

Benzoin

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used The dried resin
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
An Xi Xiang is highly aromatic. It penetrates the sensory orifices, clears away filth, and transforms turbidity.
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Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha

Cinnabar

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
Zhu Sha sedates the Heart and calm the Mind, resolving the irritability and impairment of speech and consciousness.
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Hu Po
Hu Po

Amber

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Fossilized tree resin
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
Hu Po sedates the Heart and calm the Mind, resolving the irritability and impairment of speech and consciousness.
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Xiong Huang
Xiong Huang

Realgar

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Liver
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
Xiong Huang eliminates Phlegm and resolves toxicity. It assists Ox Gallstone in breaking up Phlegm and opening the orifices.
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Jin Bo
Jin Bo

Gold leaves

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used The mineral sheet
Role in Zhi Bao Dan
Jin Bo sedates the Heart and calm the Mind, resolving the irritability and impairment of speech and consciousness. The original formula also includes Silver leaves which serves the same role as Gold leaves here.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zhi Bao Dan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated during pregnancy. This formula contains many drying, aromatic ingredients that have a tendency to consume the Yin and Body Fluids. It should therefore not be used for patients with significant Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Zhi Bao 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.