Kong Sheng Zhen Zhong Dan孔圣枕中丹
Confucius' Pillow Elixir
Ingredients4 herbs
Indications
Heart and Kidney both insufficient with the spirit unsettled: the Kidney does not send essence upward and the Heart cannot hold the spirit, so memory fails and sleep is thin.
Clinical Manifestations
- Forgetfulness and poor retention with mental fatigue
- Insomnia with an unsettled, restless mind
- Palpitations with a sense of insecurity
- Difficulty concentrating during sustained study or work
- Dream-disturbed sleep in a depleted patient
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Marked yin deficiency with heat — add Sheng Di Huang 生地黄 and Mai Men Dong 麦门冬
- Insomnia is the leading complaint rather than forgetfulness — combine with Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁 and Fu Shen 茯神, or use Suan Zao Ren Tang
- Qi deficiency with fatigue and shortness of breath — add Ren Shen 人参 or Dang Shen 党参
- Phlegm clouding the mind — increase Shi Chang Pu 石菖蒲 and add Yu Jin 郁金
Contraindications
Not for forgetfulness or insomnia arising from phlegm-fire or from clear excess heat, where anchoring and enriching will trap the pathogen. The shell and fossil ingredients are heavy and can dull a weak digestion, so they are taken with food or with a digestive herb added. Gui Ban is sourced from turtles and is subject to species and trade regulation — only legitimately sourced material is acceptable. The classical instruction to take the powder with wine is not appropriate for everyone and is generally set aside.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Not used routinely in pregnancy. Gui Ban is traditionally listed among the substances to avoid while pregnant, the heavy anchoring minerals are likewise avoided, and the classical wine vehicle is unsuitable — any use would require a specific indication and close practitioner supervision.
Related Formulas
References
Source Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang 《备急千金要方》 · Tang
- 《备急千金要方》 — 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.