Chinese: 柏子养心汤
Pinyin: Bai Zi Yǎng Xīn Tāng
Other names: Arborvitae Seed Pill to Nourish the Heart, Biota Seeds Pill to Nourish the Heart
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Mother formula: Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: AnxietyInsomniaNight sweats and six other conditions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Contraindications: Contraindicated for Spleen and Stomach weakness with tendency to bloat, loose... 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. see more
Source date: 1549 AD
Source book: Compilation of Materials of Benevolence for the Body
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1549 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi and 2) 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 Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Qi Deficiency, Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized or Kidney Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as disorientation, severe palpitations or continuous palpitations for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the nine ingredients in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang helps treat.
The nine ingredients in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Bai Zi Ren is a king ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLarge intestine
Bai Zi Ren nourishes the Heart and calms the Mind. It is particularly indicated for the treatment of palpitations.
Xuan Shen is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLiverStomach
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Xuan Shen's main actions are as follows: "Expels true or Internal Heat and cools the Blood. Tonifies the Yin. Reduces inflammations and drains Fire toxicity. Reduces hard nodules, especially associated with the lymph."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it enrich the Yin and clear Empty Heat from Deficiency.
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it Tonifies the Blood and tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Fu Shen is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen)
Part used: The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
In general Fu Shen's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it Calms the Mind and promote urination.
Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Gou Qi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys.
Mai Dong is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Mai Dong replenishes Kidney Yin Essence and promotes secretions. It also lubricates and nourishes the Stomach as well as soothes the Lung and nourishes the Heart.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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 Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it tonifies the Blood, lubricates the Intestines and relieve constipation.
Shi Chang Pu is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Sweetflag Rhizomes (Shi Chang Pu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: StomachHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that open the Orifices
In general Shi Chang Pu's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Orifices, awakens the Mind (Shen) and expels Wind-Damp Phlegm. Harmonizes the Earth element and dispels Damp. Applied internally or externally for Wind-Cold-Damp painful obstruction."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it opens the Orifices, awakens the Mind and expels Wind-Damp Phlegm. .
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
9. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, it is used because it harmonizes all the ingredients of the formula.
Conditions and patterns for which Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat three different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Disorientation Severe palpitations Continuous palpitations Dreamdisturbed sleep Forgetfulness Night sweats Nocturnal emission Insomnia Anxiety
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang treats disorientation" for instance. Rather, Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind disorientation.
Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Symptoms: Fatigue Pale face Palpitations Spontaneous sweating Shortness of breath on exertion
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, pale face and spontaneous sweating. Patients with Heart Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses.
Heart Qi Deficiency includes general signs of Qi deficiency (such as shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, pale face and fatigue) with the addition of palpitations, which is the characteristic symptom of Heart Qi Deficiency.
"Palpitations" here indicates a subjective feeling of the patient... read more about Heart Qi Deficiency
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo), Floating (Fu)
Symptoms: Anxiety Insomnia Tinnitus Dizziness Dry stools Poor memory Palpitations Restlessness Night sweats Five palm heat Lower back pain Diminished hearing Dry throat at night Dream disturbed sleep Scanty and dark urine Feeling of heat in the evening Nocturnal emissions with dreams Thirst with desire to drink in small sips
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, restlessness, insomnia and dream disturbed sleep. Patients with Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized typically exhibit deep (Chen), rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), weak (Ruo) or floating (Fu) pulses.
This disharmony happens when Kidney Yin is Deficient and cannot nourish the Heart Yin, which then also become Deficient.
There is a strong relationship between Kidneys and Heart because Essence (Jing) housed in the Kidneys is the foundation for the Mind housed in the Heart. If Essence is... read more about Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Symptoms: Anxiety Vertigo Itching Sweating Tinnitus Insomnia Dry hair Dry skin Back pain Tiredness Lassitude Dizziness Bone ache Sore back Dry mouth Depression Sore knees Weak knees Dry throat Dry tongue Dry stools Limbs pain Infertility Malar flush Poor memory Constipation Night sweats Little sperm Irritability Restlnessness Five palm heat Scanty periods Blurred vision Lower back pain Evening anxiety Weak lower back Feeling of heat Poor constitution Diminished hearing Nocturnal emissions Hot palms and soles Scanty dark urination Premature ejaculation Menopausal hot flushes Excessive sexual desire White vaginal discharge Dry mouth and throat at night Feeling of heat in the evening Low-grade fever in the afternoon Thirst with desire to drink in small sips
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as sweating, back pain, diminished hearing and dry mouth and throat at night. Patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Red tongue without coating, cracked in severe cases.
This pattern often accompanies Kidney Essence Deficiency, as Kidney Yin includes Essence. When both element are depleted in the Kidneys, not enough Marrow is generated to fill the Brain, thus the symptoms of dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo and poor memory. The dizziness is mild and the tinnitus is... read more about Kidney Yin Deficiency
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