1. Herbs that calm the spirit
Treating disturbances of the spirit:
irritability, insomnia, palpitations with anxiety and even some forms of insanity
Anchor, settle, and calm the spirit
Long Gu, Mu Li, Ci Shi, Zhen Zhu, Zhen Zhu Mu, Hu Po, Long Chi
Nourish the heart and calm the spirit
Suan Zao Ren, Bai Zi Ren, Yuan Zhi, Ye Jiao Teng, Ling Zhi, He Huan Pi
Contraindications

2. Herbs that calm the spirit
Herbs that Anchor, settle, and calm the spirit
Long Gu 龙骨；
Mu Li 牡蛎；
Ci Shi 磁石；
Zhen Zhu 珍珠；
Zhen Zhu Mu 珍珠母；
Hu Po 琥珀；
Long Chi 龙齿；

3. Long Gu 龙骨

4. Long Gu 龙骨 ( neutral ) Astringent Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Fossilia Ossis Mastodi
Actions
1. Settles anxiety and calms the spirit
2. Calms the liver and anchors and preserves the floating yang
3. Prevents leakage of fluids
3. Used topically for chornic, nonhealing sores & ulcers
Indications
( Deficiency )
Emotional distress restlessness, insomnia, palpitations and anexity
Irritability, restlessness, dizziness, vergito, blurred vision due to Liver yang rising
Spermatorrhea, nightsweats, spontaneous sweating
Dosage
15 – 30 g ( should be cooked first )
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Severe heart arrhythmia

5. Long Gu 龙骨 ( neutral ) Contraindications Warm-dampness
Bradycardia, or extrasystoles
Combinations
Indications
Formular
Yuan Zhi 远志
Gui Ban 龟板
Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁
Palpitation, forgetfulness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep
Mu Li 牡蛎
Niu Xi 牛膝
Dai Ze Shi 代赭石
Insomnia, irritability, dizziness, and blurred vision due to liver yang rising
Zhen GanXi Feng Tang 镇肝熄风汤
Huang Qi 黄芪
Bai Shao 白芍
Spontaneous sweating
Hai Piao Xiao 海螵蛸
Wu Wei Zi 五味子
Irregular uterine bleeding or vaginal discharge
Shan Zhu Yu 山茱萸
Night sweats due to yin def.

6. Mu Li 牡蛎

7. Mu Li 牡蛎 ( Cool ) Astringent Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Ostreae Concha
Actions
1. Heavily settles and calms the spirit
2. Benefits the yin and anchors the floating yang
2. Prevents leakage of fluids
3. Softens hardness and dissipates nodules
3. Absorbs acidity and alleviates pain
Indications
( Deficiency )
Palpitation with anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia
Irritability, insomnia, dizzziness, tinnitus, blurred vision due to yin def. with ascendant yang
Continuous sweating
Various kinds of lumps
Dosage
9 – 30 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Frequent use of this medicinal may cause lethrgy, abdominal distention, and constipation

8. Mu Li 牡蛎 ( Cool ) Contraindications Escessive fever with no sweating
Combinations
Indications
Formular
Long Gu 龙骨
Gui Zhi 桂枝
Restlessness, irritability, palpitation from floating yang
Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Bai Shao 白芍
Anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, and dream disturbed dream
Huang Qi 黄芪
Fu Xiao Mai 浮小麦
Spontaneous sweating
Xuan Shen 玄参
Xia Ku Cao 夏枯草
Scrofula
Hai PiaoXiao海螵蛸
Zhe Bei Mu浙贝母
Epigastric pain with acid regurgiation
Jin Ying Zi 金樱子
YiZhiRen 益智仁
Urinary frequency

9. Ci Shi 磁石

10. Ci Shi磁石 ( cold ) Actions 1. Anchors and calms the spirit
Pharmaceutical Name
Magnetitum,
Actions
1. Anchors and calms the spirit
2. Nourishes the kidneys, augments the liver, and improves hearing and vision
2. Aids the kidneys in grasping the qi
Indications
( def. )
Restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, or tremors especially with yin def.
Impaired hearing or deafness
Chronic asthma due to kidney fail to grasp the qi
Dosage
15 – 30 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Do not use in long term or in high doess

11. Ci Shi磁石 ( cold ) Contraindications Weak spleen or stomach
Combinations
Indications
Formular
Long Gu 龙骨
Mu Li 牡蛎
Dizziness and vertigo
Dang Gui 当归
Shu Di 熟地
Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁
Palpitations & insomnia
Sheng Di生地
Bai Shao白芍
Gui Ban 龟板
Pronounced yin def.
Gou Qi Zi枸杞子
Nu Zhen Zi女贞子
Ju Hua 菊花
Diminished vision due to liver and kid. Def.
Dai Zhe Shi 代赭石
Wu Wei Zi五味子
He Tao Ren 核桃仁
Chronic cough and wheezing

12. Zhen Zhu 珍珠

13. Zhen Zhu 珍珠 ( Cold ) Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Margiatia
Actions
1. Sedates the heart and settles tremors and palpitations
2. Clears the liver and eliminates superficial visual obstruction
3. Promotes healing and generates flesh
Indications
( def. )
Palpitations, childhood convulsions, and seizures
Blurred vision
Chronic nonhealing ulcers
Dosage
0.3 – 1 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
None noted .

14. Zhen Zhu 珍珠 ( Cold ) Contraindications Pregnancy Combinations
Formular
Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁
Bai Zi Ren柏子仁
Wu Wei Zi 五味子
Irritability and insomnia from heart def.
Dang Gui 当归
Shu Di 熟地
Ren Shen 人参
Irritability and insomnia due to liver blood def.
Niu Huang 牛黄
Bing Pian 冰片
Red eyes or superfical visual obstruction
Qing Dai 青黛
Sores in the oral cavity and face

15. Zhen Zhu Mu 珍珠母 ( Cold ) Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Margaritiferae Concha usta
Actions
1. Calms the liver, anchors the yang and drains liver fire
2. Clears the liver and clears eyes
2. Sedates fright and calms the spirit
3. Stops bleeding
Indications
( def. )
Headache, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus
Blurred vision
Palpitation, anxiety
Dosage
15 – 30 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
None noted .

16. Hu Po 琥珀 3. Reduces swelling and promtes healing Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Succinum
Actions
1. Arrests tremors and palpitations and calms the spirit
2. Invigorates the blood, dissipates stasis, and unblocks the menses
3. Promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dribbling
3. Reduces swelling and promtes healing
Indications
( def. )
Palpitations with anxeity, excessive dreams, insomnia
Amenorrhea or pain associated with palpable fixed masses
Urinary retention
Dosage
1.5 – 3 g do not decoct or calcine
Cook
Toxic Sym.
None noted .

17. Long Chi 龙齿 ( Cool ) Astringent Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Fossilia Dentis Mastodi
Actions
1. Settles anxiety and calms the spirit
Indications
( Deficiency )
Palpitations with anxiety, withdrawal-mania, and insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep
Dosage
15 – 30 g
Cook
Should be cooked first
Toxic Sym.

18. Herbs that Stabilize & bind
Herbs that Nourish the heart and calm the spirit
Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁；
Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁；
Yuan Zhi 远志；
Ye Jiao Teng 夜交藤；
Ling Zhi 灵芝；
He Huan Pi 合欢皮；

19. Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁

20. Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁( Neutral )
Pharmaceutical Name
Ziziphi spinosae semen
Actions
1. Nourishes the heart yin, augments the liver blood, and quiets the spirit
2. Prevents abnormal sweating
Indications
( def.)
Irritability, insomnia, and palpitation with anxiety
Spontaneous sweating and nightsweats
Dosage
9 – 15 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Allergic reaction: pruritus, urticaria, numbness of the mouth and lips, shortness of breath, vertigo

21. Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁( Neutral )
Contraindications
Severe diarrhea or heat from excess
Combinations
Indications
Formular
Bai Shao 白芍
Dang Gui 当归
He Shou Wu 何首乌
Irritability, insomnia, and palpitations due to heart blood & yin def.
Zhi Mu 知母
Fu Ling 茯苓
Insomnia and irritability due to liver yin def.
Suan Zao Ren Tang
酸枣仁汤
Dang Shen 党参
Long Yan Rou 龙眼肉
Insomnia, palpitations and irritability due to def. of the spleen Qi and heart blood
Wu Wei Zi 五味子
Huang Qi 黄芪
Shan Zhu Yu 山茱萸
Spontaneous sweating and nightsweats

22. Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁

23. Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁(neutral )
Pharmaceutical Name
Platycladi semen
Actions
1. Nourishes the heart and calms the spirit
2. Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels
3. Also used for nightsweats due to yin def.
Indications
( def. )
Irritability, insomnia, forgetfulness, and palpitations with anxiety due to heart yin def.
Constipation
Nightsweats
Dosage
3 – 9 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Bear a high risk of being contaminated by carcinogenic aflatoxins .

24. Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁(neutral )
Contraindications
Loose stools or phlegm disorders
Combinations
Indications
Formular
Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁
Dang Gui 当归
Fu Shen 伏神
Palpitations and insomnia due to heart blood def.
Yang Xin tang
养心汤
Mai Dong 麦冬
Shu Di 熟地
Shi Chang Pu 石菖蒲
Irritability, poor sleep, palpitation
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 柏子养心汤
Huo ma Ren 火麻仁
He Tao Ren 核桃仁
constipation

25. Yuan Zhi 远志

26. Yuan Zhi 远志 ( slightly warm ) Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Polygalae radix
Actions
1. Calms the spirit and quiets the heart
2. Expels phlegm, clears the orifices, and stops coughs
3. Reduces abscess and dissipates swellings
Indications
( def. )
Insomnia, palpitations with anxiety, restlessness, and distention
Phlegm envelopes the orifice of the heart
Boils, abscesses, sores
Dosage
6 – 15 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Overdosage can cause such gastrointestinal side effects as nausea and vomiting .

27. Yuan Zhi 远志 ( slightly warm )
Contraindications
Yin def. with heat signs as well as those peptic ulcers or gastritis
Indications
Formular
Suan Zhao Ren 酸枣仁
Bai Zhu 白术
Dang Gui 当归
Palpitations and insomnia due to qi and blood def.
Gui Pi Wan 归脾丸
Fu Ling 茯苓
Shi Chang PU 石菖蒲
Forgetfullness and to calm the spirit
Sang Piao Xiao San 桑螵蛸散
Yu Jin 郁金
Disorientation associated with phlegm
Chuan Bei Mu 川贝母
Xin Ren 杏仁
Gua Lou 瓜蒌
Cough and wheezing due to cold-phlegm

28. Ye Jiao Teng 夜交藤

29. Ye Jiao Teng 夜交藤( neutral )
Pharmaceutical Name
Polygoni multiflori caulis
Actions
1. Nourishes the heart and blood and calms the spirit
2. Nourishes the blood and unblocks the channels
3. Alleviates itching
Indications
(Def. )
Yin or blood def. with insomnia and irritability
Generalized weakness, soreness, pain ,and numbness due to blood def.
Itching & skin rashes
Dosage
15 – 30 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Allergic reactions: skin eruptions, pruritus, tingling pain of the skin

30. Ye Jiao Teng 夜交藤( neutral )
Contraindications
None noted
Indications
Formular
He huan pi 合欢皮
Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁
Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁
Insomnia due to heart blood def.
Fu Shen 伏神
Calm the spirits
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin 天麻钩藤饮
Dang Gui 当归
Ji Xue Teng 鸡血藤
Dan Shen 丹参
Generalized muscular weakness, soreness, and numbness due to blood def.
Qiang Huo 羌活
Sang Ji Shen 桑寄生
Qin Jiao 秦艽
Wind-damp painful obstruction
Chan Tui 蝉蜕
Di Fu Zi 地肤子
External wash for wind-related itching

31. Ling Zhi 灵芝( neutral ) Actions
Pharmaceutical Name
Ganoderma
Actions
1. Calms the spirit, augments the heart qi, and tonifies the heart blood
2. Tonifies the lung qi, transforms phlegm, and stops coughs and wheezing
2. Tonifies the qi, nourishes the blood
Indications
(Def. )
Insomnia, fright and palpitations and forgetfullness
Cough and wheezing in patients with cold from def. or phlegm dampness
Shortness of breath, lack of appetite
Dosage
3 – 15 g in decoctions; g in pills and powders
Cook
Toxic Sym.
Vertigo, dry mouth and nose, nausea, constipation or diarrhea

32. He Huan Pi 合欢皮( neutral )
Pharmaceutical Name
Albiziae cortex
Actions
1. Calms the spirit and relieves constraint
2. Harmonizes the blood, stops pain, and reconnects the sinews and bones
3. Dissipates swelling and reduces abscesses
Indications
(Def. )
Bad temper,depression, insomnia, irritability, and poor memory
Pain and swelling due to trauma, including fractures
Pain and swelling of abscesses both external and internal
Dosage
6 – 15 g
Cook
Toxic Sym.
None noted
Contraindications
Pregnancy