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Ding Xian Wan定痫丸

Arrest Seizures Pill

Dispelling Phlegm 祛痰剂化痰熄风

Ingredients15 herbs

明明天麻30g
川Chuan Bei Mu川贝母30gClears heat and dissolves sticky phlegm without drying; a partner of aconite半Zhi Ban Xia半夏姜汁炒30gDries damp and transforms phlegm; processed drug only, 3–9 g, and never combined with aconite茯Fu Ling茯苓蒸30gDrains damp and strengthens the Spleen so phlegm stops being produced茯Fu Shen茯神去木，蒸30gQuiets the Heart and settles the spirit胆Dan Nan Xing胆南星九制者15gClears heat and transforms the wind-phlegm at the root of the attacks; bile-processed and therefore cooler than Tian Nan Xing, 3–6 g石Shi Chang Pu石菖蒲杵碎，取粉15gAromatic — opens the orifices that phlegm has sealed and clears the mind全Quan Xie全蝎去尾，甘草水洗15gSearches out wind in the channels and stops spasm. Slightly toxic — kept within its pharmacopoeial dose僵Jiang Can僵蚕甘草水洗，去咀，炒15gExtinguishes wind and transforms phlegm together with Quan Xie
真真琥珀腐煮，灯草研15g
陈Chen Pi陈皮洗，去白21gRegulates qi and dries damp so the phlegm herbs have somewhere to send it远Yuan Zhi远志去心，甘草水泡21gTransforms phlegm, links Heart and Kidney and steadies the mind丹Dan Shen丹参酒蒸60gInvigorates blood and cools the Heart, so long-standing attacks do not leave stasis behind
麦Mai Men Dong麦冬去心60gNourishes yin and moistens, offsetting the drying herbs over a long course
辰辰砂细研，水飞9g

Indications

Transforms phlegm and extinguishes windOpens the orifices and settles the spiritClears the heat that phlegm has generated

Wind-phlegm harbouring heat, obstructing the orifices. Phlegm is the substance, wind is the movement, and heat is what stirs the wind — which is why a purely drying formula does not hold the pattern.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Seizure disorders of the wind-phlegm type
  • Sudden loss of awareness with twitching and drooling
  • Frequent attacks with a greasy tongue coating between them
  • Restlessness, poor sleep and palpitations between attacks
  • Phlegm-type dizziness with a tendency to convulse
TongueWhite greasy coating
PulseWiry and slippery

Health Categories

Cold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

EpilepsySeizure disorderConvulsionsFebrile convulsions in childrenAbsence attacks

Common adjustments

Contraindications

Not for seizures on a background of yin and blood deficiency with an empty pulse and a peeled tongue, which need nourishing rather than phlegm-attacking treatment. Because of the Zhu Sha the classical formula must not be taken over a long period, in repeated courses, or by anyone with liver or kidney impairment, and never with other cinnabar-containing preparations — omitting it is the safer modern practice. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Epilepsy requires medical diagnosis and management: anticonvulsant medication is not stopped, reduced or replaced on the basis of herbal treatment, and any change in seizure frequency or a prolonged seizure is a medical emergency.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Zhu Sha is a mercury mineral that reaches the fetus, Quan Xie is a slightly toxic insect drug traditionally withheld in pregnancy, and Ban Xia is used in pregnancy only with a clear reason. Seizures during pregnancy are a medical emergency managed by a physician. Not to be used while breastfeeding either.

References

Source Yi Xue Xin Wu 《医学心悟》 · Qing

  1. Classical source (public domain) — 《医学心悟》, Qing dynasty, 程国彭.
    2. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— 祛痰剂·治风化痰, pattern analysis cross-checked.
    3. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    4. Chinese Pharmacopoeia monographs on 朱砂 (0.1–0.5 g, in pills or powders only, not decocted, short courses), 全蝎 and 半夏.

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.