健忘者，为事有始无终，言发不知首尾，此是病名也，非比生成愚顽也。精神短少者，
多至于痰。有因心气不足，恍惚多忘事者；有因思虑过度，劳伤心脾忘事者，用醒脾汤加减
；若痰迷心窍忘事者，用瓜蒌枳实汤加减治之（方见痰饮）。
健忘者，思虑伤心脾也。又云健忘者，陡然而忘其事也。
归脾汤 治脾经失血，少寐，发热盗汗；或思虑伤脾，不能摄血，以致妄行或健忘怔忡
、惊悸不寐；或心脾伤痛、嗜卧少食；或忧思伤脾、血虚发热；或肢体作痛、大便不调；或
经候不准、晡热内热；或瘰 流注，不能消散溃敛。
人参 白术 黄 （炒） 白茯苓（去皮） 龙眼肉 当归 远志（甘草泡去心） 酸枣仁（
炒，各一钱） 木香 甘草（炙，各五分）
上锉一剂。生姜三片，枣一枚，水煎服。本方加柴胡、山栀，名加味归脾汤。
状元丸 专补心生血，宁神定志，清火化痰。台阁勤政，劳心灯窗，读书辛苦，并健忘
怔忡不寐及不善记而多忘者，服之，能日诵千言，胸藏万卷，神效。
人参（二钱） 白茯神（去皮木） 当归（酒洗） 酸枣仁（炒，各三钱） 麦门冬（去心） 远志（
去心） 龙眼肉 生地黄（酒洗） 玄参 朱砂 石菖蒲（去毛，一寸九节者佳，各三钱） 柏子
仁（去油，二钱）
上为细末， 猪心血为丸，如绿豆大，金箔为衣。每服二、三十丸，糯米汤送下。
天王补心丹 宁心保神，益血固精，壮力强志，令人不忘。除怔忡，定惊悸，清三焦，
化痰涎，祛烦热，疗咽干，养育精神。
人参（五钱） 五味子 当归（酒洗） 天门冬（去心） 麦门冬（去心） 柏子仁 酸枣仁（炒）
玄参 白茯神（去皮） 丹参 桔梗（去芦） 远志（去心）各五钱 黄连（去毛，酒炒，二两）
生地黄（酒洗，四两） 石菖蒲（一两）
上为细末，炼蜜为丸，如梧桐子大，朱砂为衣。每服三十丸，临卧时服，灯心、竹叶煎
汤送下。
一方 有熟地黄、百部、牛膝、杜仲、茯神、甘草各等分，金箔为衣，炼蜜为丸，如弹
子大。临卧服一丸，细嚼，灯心、红枣煎汤送下。无麦冬、黄连、生地黄。
孔子大圣枕中方∶
龟甲（即龟板自败者佳） 龙骨（ ） 远志（去心） 石菖蒲（去毛）。
上四味等分为末。酒调方寸匕，日三服。令人聪明。
人若多忘事，用远志、石菖蒲，每日煎汤服，心通万卷书。
癫狂健忘，怔忡失志及恍惚惊怖，人心神不守舍、多言不定，一切真气虚损，用紫河车
入补药内服之，大能安心养血宁神。
一健忘、惊悸、怔忡不寐，用六味丸加远志、石菖蒲、人参、白茯神、当归、酸枣仁（
炒），同为丸服。
Jianwang (Forgetfulness) refers to the condition where one starts tasks but fails to finish them, or speaks without knowing the beginning and end of what is said. This is a disease name, distinct from innate stupidity or stubbornness. Individuals with deficient Jing-Shen (Spirit and Vitality) often have phlegm accumulation. Some cases arise from insufficient Heart Qi, leading to mental vagueness and forgetfulness; others result from excessive rumination that damages the Heart and Spleen, causing forgetfulness, which can be treated with modifications of Xingpi Tang (Spleen-Awakening Decoction). If forgetfulness is caused by phlegm misting the Heart Orifices, it should be treated with modifications of Gualou Zhishi Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit and Immature Bitter Orange Decoction) (see Phlegm-Fluids chapter for the formula).
Jianwang (Forgetfulness) is caused by excessive rumination damaging the Heart and Spleen. It is also described as suddenly forgetting one's affairs.
Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction): Treats blood loss from the Spleen Meridian, insomnia with frequent waking, fever, and night sweats; or due to rumination damaging the Spleen, failing to control blood, leading to spontaneous bleeding, Jianwang (Forgetfulness), Xinji Zhengchong (Palpitations and Trembling), Jingji (Startle palpitations), and insomnias; or Heart-Spleen pain, lethargy, and poor appetite; or worry and rumination damaging the Spleen, blood deficiency with fever; or limb pain, irregular bowel movements; or irregular menstruation, afternoon and evening internal heat; or Luoli Liuzhu (Scrofula and flowing abscesses) that cannot dissipate, ulcerate, or heal.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, stir-fried), Baifuling (Poria, peeled), Longyanrou (Longan Aril), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, soaked in Licorice decoction, heart removed), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, stir-fried, each 1 qian), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Gancao (Licorice Radix, honey-fried, each 0.5 qian).
Crush these ingredients into one dose. Add three slices of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and one Zao (Chinese Jujube), decoct in water, and take orally. Adding Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus) to this formula creates Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction).
Zhuangyuan Wan (Top Scholar Pill): Specifically tonifies the Heart to generate blood, calms the Spirit and stabilizes willpower, clears fire, and resolves phlegm. For those who work diligently like high officials, labor over books under lamplight, study hard, and suffer from Jianwang (Forgetfulness), Zhengchong (Palpitations and Trembling), insomnia, poor memory, and frequent forgetting, taking this pill allows one to recite a thousand words daily and store ten thousand volumes in the chest, with miraculous efficacy.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix, 2 qian), Baifushen (Poria with wood removed, peeled), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, washed in wine), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, stir-fried, each 3 qian), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Longyanrou (Longan Aril), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, washed in wine), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Zhusha (Cinnabar), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, hair removed, those with nine nodes per inch are best, each 3 qian), Baiziren (Biota Seed, oil removed, 2 qian).
Grind into fine powder, form pills using pig heart blood, size of mung beans, coat with Jinbo (Gold foil). Take 20-30 pills per dose, delivered with Nuomici Tang (Glutinous Rice Decoction).
Tianwang Buxin Dan (Emperor of Heaven Heart-Nourishing Pill): Calms the Heart and preserves the Spirit, nourishes blood and secures essence, strengthens strength and will, preventing forgetfulness. Removes Zhengchong (Palpitations and Trembling), stabilizes Jingji (Startle palpitations), clears the Triple Burner, transforms phlegm-saliva, dispels vexation and heat, treats dry throat, and nurtures Jing-Shen (Spirit and Vitality).
Renshen (Ginseng Radix, 5 qian), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, washed in wine), Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix, heart removed), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed), Baiziren (Biota Seed), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, stir-fried), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Baifushen (Poria, peeled), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, rhizome removed), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), each 5 qian; Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, hair removed, wine-fried, 2 liang), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, washed in wine, 4 liang), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, 1 liang).
Grind into fine powder, form pills using refined honey, size of Sophora japonica seeds, coat with Zhusha (Cinnabar). Take 30 pills per dose, taken before sleep, delivered with Dengxin Zhu Ye Tang (Juncus Effusus Stem and Bamboo Leaf Decoction).
Another prescription: Contains Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Baibu (Stemonae Radix), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Fushen (Poria with hostwood), Gancao (Licorice Radix) in equal parts, coated with Jinbo (Gold foil), formed into pills using refined honey, size of bullet. Take one pill before sleep, chew thoroughly, delivered with Dengxin Hongzao Tang (Juncus Effusus Stem and Chinese Jujube Decoction). This formula does not contain Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), or Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix).
Kongzi Dasheng Zhenzhong Fang (Confucius Great Sage Pillow Center Prescription):
Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum, naturally shed shells are best), Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi et Scapulae), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, hair removed).
Grind these four ingredients into equal parts powder. Mix with wine to form a measure of one cun bi (square inch spoon), take three times daily. Enhances intelligence.
If a person frequently forgets things, use Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) and Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), decoct in water and drink daily to open the Heart orifices and master vast knowledge.
For Diankuang (Manic-depression), Jianwang (Forgetfulness), Zhengchong (Palpitations and Trembling), loss of will, mental vagueness, fear, Heart Spirit not residing in its abode, excessive speech, instability, and all conditions of True Qi deficiency and damage, use Ziheche (Human Placenta) added to tonic medicines. It greatly soothes the Heart, nourishes blood, and calms the Spirit.
One prescription for Jianwang (Forgetfulness), Jingji (Startle palpitations), Zhengchong (Palpitations and Trembling), and insomnia: Use Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill) plus Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baifushen (Poria with wood removed), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, stir-fried), processed together into pills for oral administration.