Zhu Sha An Shen Wan  朱砂安神丸
Cinnabar Calm the Spirit Pill

Tradition:


TCM

Source / Author:


Clarifying Doubts about Injury from Internal and External Causes (Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun)

Herb Name

Zhu Sha (Cinnabar) *
Huang Lian (Coptis)
Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica)
Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia)
Zhi Gan Cao (Fried Licorice)

Latin


Mercuric sulphide
Coptis chinesis
Angelica sinensis
Rehmannia glutinosa
Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Amount


15 grams
18 grams

7 ½ grams ea.
16 ½ grams

* Cinnabar is refined (washed well) with water.

Preparation:


Powder the herbs and from Honey pills, then coat with the Cinnabar.

Function:


Calms the Heart and Spirit, Drains Fire, Nourishes Yin

Use:


Insomnia, continuous Palpitations, irritability, feeling of heat in the chest, red tongue, thin and fast pulse.
1. Insomnia
2. Palpitations
3. Neurasthenia
4. Depression
5. Anxiety
6. Panic attacks
7. Mania, Psychosis

Dose:


6–9 grams, before bed. In severe cases it is taken morning and night.

Cautions:


It is not taken for more than 2 weeks without a break (due to the Cinnabar).

Modifications:


1. Today, Cinnabar is omitted due to potential toxicity. Pearl, Amber or Magnetite are possible substitutes.
2. Severe Insomnia, add Pearl (Zhen Zhu), Polygala (Yuan Zhi), Poria Fu Shen
3. Insomnia with Vertigo and/or Tinnitus, add Oyster shell (Mu Li), Turtle shell (Gui Ban), Magnetite (Ci Shi).
4. Severe irritability, add Gardenia Zhi Zi
5. With Heart Yin deficiency, take with Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan.
6. Bi-polar disorder, Mania or Psychosis, add Rhubarb.

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