Chinese: 定志丸
Pinyin: Dìng Zhì Wán
Other names: An Shen Ding Zhi Wan, Settle the Emotions Pill, Calm the Shen and Settle the Emotions Pill
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MyopiaSeizuresGeneral anxiety disorder and one other condition
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Pacifies timidity
- Calms the Mind
Contraindications: Characterized by its acrid and warming properties, this formula should not be... Characterized by its acrid and warming properties, this formula should not be administered unaltered when addressing patterns related to Blood or Yin Deficiency. see more
Source date: 650 AD
Source book: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces
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.
Ding Zhi Wan is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 650 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Heart Qi and 2) pacifies timidity.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as general anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or myopia for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the four ingredients in Ding Zhi Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Ding Zhi Wan helps treat.
The four ingredients in Ding Zhi Wan
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ding Zhi Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warming. It powerfully tonifies the Primal Qi of all five Yin Organs, while also benefiting the Heart Qi and calming the Mind.
Fu Ling is a deputy ingredient in Ding Zhi Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Fu Ling is bland and neutral. It calms the Heart and the Mind. It is specifically
indicated for palpitations, insomnia, or forgetfulness due to Heart Deficiency or internal obstruction of turbid Phlegm. The Key and deputy herbs focus on the Heart to tonify its Qi, promoting the elimination of Dampness and, via the fluid enriching action of Ginseng, ensure that the physiological Body Fluids are not damaged.
Shi Chang Pu is an assistant ingredient in Ding Zhi Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
3. Sweetflag Rhizomes (Shi Chang Pu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: StomachHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that open the Orifices
Shi Chang Pu is acrid, bitter, aromatic, and slightly warming. It opens the orifices, dislodges Phlegm, removes filth, and quiets the Mind. The two assistant herbs are often used in combination, relying on their
acrid quality to disperse stagnation and their bitter quality to drain and direct downward, thereby transforming Phlegm and opening the orifices.
Yuan Zhi is an assistant ingredient in Ding Zhi Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Chinese Senega Roots (Yuan Zhi)
Yuan Zhi is acrid, slightly warming, and drying. It disseminates, drains, unblocks, and thrusts outward to assist in the free movement of the Heart Qi. It opens Stagnation and guides the Kidney Qi upward to reach the Heart, thereby reestablishing harmonious communication between the Heart and Kidneys.
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