Chinese: 镇心安神汤
Pinyin: Zhèn Xīn An Shén Tāng
Other names: Anchors the Heart and Calm the Mind Decoction, Sedate the Heart and Calm the Spirit Decoction
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: AnxietyWeak backPalpitations and five other conditions
Main actions: Anchors the Heart and calms the Mind
Source date: 1985 AD
Source book: China Yi Xue Wen Zhai
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.
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula.
Invented in 1985 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main action is that it anchors 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 Xin An Shen Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Blood Deficiency or Liver Yang Rising. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as neurotic insomnia, dreamdisturbed sleep or excessive dreams for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Zhen Xin An Shen Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Zhen Xin An Shen Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Zhen Xin An Shen Tang
2. Oyster Shells (Mu Li ke)
Part used: The shell
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: BladderGallbladderKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the SpiritHerbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
In general Mu Li ke's main actions are as follows: "Calms and anchors the spirit. Moistens Dryness. Softens and removes lumps. Nourish the Yin and subdues the overflowing of the Yang,"
4. Fleeceflower Stems (Ye Jiao Teng)
Part used: Dried lianoid stem
Nature: Neutral
In general Ye Jiao Teng's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Heart Blood and calms the spirit. Tonifies Blood, improves circulation and dispels Wind. Applied externally, it relieves itches and rashes."
5. Red Sage Roots (Dan Shen)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Bitter
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Dan Shen's main actions are as follows: "Invigorates the Blood, breaks up Stasis and eases pain. Clears Heat and calms restlessness."
6. Jujube Seeds (Suan Zao Ren)
In general Suan Zao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Heart Yin and calms the spirit. Contains Fluid leakage."
7. Silktree Albizia Barks (He Huan Pi)
In general He Huan Pi's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind. Removes Blood Stagnation to reduce swellings and stop pain. Circulates Qi and remove pain. "
Conditions and patterns for which Zhen Xin An Shen 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 Zhen Xin An Shen Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two 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:
Neurotic insomnia Dreamdisturbed sleep Excessive dreams Palpitations Anxiety Knee weakness Weak back Restlessness
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Zhen Xin An Shen Tang treats neurotic insomnia" for instance. Rather, Zhen Xin An Shen Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind neurotic insomnia.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Zhen Xin An Shen Tang.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Thin
Symptoms: Anxiety Fatigue Insomnia Dizziness Pale face Pale lips Poor memory Tearfulness Palpitations Restlessness Easily scared Loss of libido Excessive dreams Feeling of guilt Dream disturbed sleep
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as easily scared, excessive dreams, palpitations and insomnia. Patients with Heart Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale thin and slightly dry tongue .
This pattern is manifested by a pale face, pale lips and a pale tongue due to lack of Blood supply. Heart Blood Deficiency may eventually cause Heart Yin Deficiency because Blood is a Yin element. Dizziness is also a symptom because not sufficient Blood is able to nourish the Brain.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Tinnitus Deafness Insomnia Headaches Dizziness Dry mouth Dry throat Stiff neck Dry stools Irritability Blurred vision Stiff shoulder Feeling work-up Stiff upper back Outbursts of anger Soreness and weakness of the knees Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Yang Rising. This pattern leads to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tinnitus and deafness. Patients with Liver Yang Rising typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Pale, normal or slightly red on the sides with no coating.
Long term Deficiency of Liver Yin, Liver Blood or Kidney Yin can cause Liver Yang rising upwards. This pattern is also called "Arrogant Liver Yang". If left unchecked for many years, it can lead to Liver Wind Agitating Internally.
The symptoms mentioned here are fairly similar to these of Stagnant... read more about Liver Yang Rising
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