An Shen Ding Zhi Wan安神定志丸
Settle the Emotions Pill
Ingredients6 herbs
Indications
Heart and Gallbladder qi deficiencywith thin phlegm unsettling the spirit: the Gallbladder governs decisiveness and the Heart houses the spirit, so when both are weak, courage and sleep go together.
Clinical Manifestations
- Startling easily, timidity, jumpiness at sudden noise
- Light broken sleep with frequent dreams
- Palpitations that worsen with tiredness
- Anxious anticipation before ordinary events
- Shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating alongside poor sleep
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Cinnabar coating in the classical pill — omit it; keep Long Gu 龙骨 or Long Chi as the settling ingredient
- Marked insomnia with dreaming — add Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁 and Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁
- Phlegm signs with nausea and a greasy coating — combine with Zhu Ru 竹茹 and Zhi Ban Xia 制半夏
- Blood deficiency with a sallow complexion — add Dang Gui 当归 and Long Yan Rou 龙眼肉
Contraindications
Not for restlessness of full heat or phlegm-fire, where a qi tonic will hold the pathogen in. Long Chi (fossilized teeth) is a finite mineral material and is often replaced by Long Gu; both are heavy and can dull digestion. The cinnabar coating of the traditional pill is toxic and cumulative — a coated preparation is unsuitable for long courses, for pregnancy or childhood, and for anyone with kidney or liver impairment.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
The traditional cinnabar-coated pill is contraindicated in pregnancy. A cinnabar-free version is gentler, but Shi Chang Pu and the heavy mineral still call for caution, so it is used in pregnancy only on a clear indication and under practitioner supervision.
References
Source Yi Xue Xin Wu 《医学心悟》 · Qing
- 《医学心悟》 — public-domain classical source.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— chapter placement and pattern analysis cross-checked.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.