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Treats deficiency and damage of Qi and Blood in the Heart, accompanied by retention of Phlegm-Fluid (Tan-Yin) below the Heart (epigastric region), resulting in palpitations and insomnia.

Longan Aril (Lóngyǎn Ròu) (6 qian) Sour Jujube Seed (Suānzǎo Rén) (4 qian, stir-fried and crushed) Raw Dragon Bone (Shēng Lónggǔ) (5 qian, powdered) Raw Oyster Shell (Shēng Mǔlì) (5 qian, powdered) Processed Pinellia Rhizome (Qīng Bànxià) (3 qian) Poria Cocos (Fúlíng Piàn) (3 qian) Raw Hematite (Shēng Zhèshí) (4 qian, finely ground)

If there is no effect after taking one or two doses, besides taking the decoction, before sleep, take Western medicine Potassium Bromide (Xiùyào Chòubō) one wa (approx. 0.6g) with warm water, utilizing its nerve-paralyzing effect to achieve a temporary result, thereby facilitating the action of the herbal decoction.

Medical texts state: People with Phlegm-Fluid retained below the Heart often suffer from palpitations and insomnia. The Heart belongs to Fire, while Phlegm-Fluid belongs to Water; Fire fears the constraint of Water, thus leading to palpitations and inability to sleep. However, Phlegm-Fluid retention below the Heart is mostly caused by excessive overthinking, which constantly damages the Qi and Blood of the Heart. Therefore, the formula uses Longan Aril to tonify Heart Blood, Sour Jujube Seed to consolidate Heart Qi, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell to calm the Hun and Po (Soul and Corporeal Soul), Pinellia Rhizome and Poria Cocos to clear Phlegm-Fluid, and Hematite to guide Heart Yang downward and submerge it, allowing it to return to Yin, thus achieving the function of inducing sleep.

An elderly woman, over fifty years old, had been unable to sleep for months, with previous medications ineffective. Her pulse exhibited a slippery quality, and her body was very plump. It was determined that she had Phlegm retention below the Heart. This decoction was prescribed, and she recovered after two doses.

A woman, around thirty years old, had not slept at all for a month. She stated that although extremely fatigued and seemingly wanting to sleep, she would wake up suddenly due to baseless fear and panic. Her left and right pulses both showed a slippery quality. Ten bitter melon stalks (Kugua Dì) were roasted until charred, ground fine, and taken on an empty stomach with warm water. Several bowls of viscous phlegm were vomited out, and she felt exceptionally comfortable in her chest. Before sleep, two qian of fine powder of cooked Sour Jujube Seed were administered, enabling her to sleep peacefully that night. Subsequently, she was treated with herbs to resolve phlegm, nourish the Heart, and calm the Spirit, taking more than ten doses, after which the condition never recurred.

The chapter "Xie Ke" (Evil Invading) in the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) contains a prescription for treating insomnia (Mu Bu De Ming). It instructs to take eight sheng of flowing water from a distance of a thousand li, splash it ten thousand times, and take five sheng of the clarified water for boiling, using reed firewood as fuel. When the water boils, add one sheng of Sorghum Grain (Shumi) and five he of Processed Pinellia Rhizome (Zhi Banxia), simmer slowly until only one and a half sheng remains. Remove the dregs and drink a small cup of the juice, three times a day, gradually increasing the dose, stopping when improvement is perceived (Zhi). Thus, for newly onset cases, sleep occurs immediately after drinking, accompanied by sweating; for chronic cases, three doses suffice. Observing the intent of this formula, the use of Pinellia Rhizome is not primarily for resolving phlegm, but rather because Pinellia grows at mid-summer, a time of Yin-Yang exchange, representing the transition from Yang to Yin. Hence, it can connect Yin and Yang and harmonize the exterior and interior, allowing Heart Yang to gradually submerge into Yin, leading to sleep. Sorghum Grain (Shumi), also known as Gaoliang, is used for its thick, moist, sweet, and mild juice to harmonize the acrid and harsh nature of Pinellia. The water used is long-flowing water, splashed ten thousand times, named "Labor Water" (Laoshui), chosen for its sweet, mild, and nourishing properties. Reed firewood is used because it promotes the ascent of Kidney Qi to receive the descent of Heart Qi, thereby interacting Yin and Yang. Observing how ancient physicians detailed every aspect of their prescriptions, including fuel, water, decoction methods, and administration, reveals their meticulous care!

Note: Prescriptions in the *Neijing* are often remarkably effective. Banxia Shumi Tang (Pinellia and Sorghum Decoction) utilizes Pinellia's ability to unblock Yin and Yang, and Sorghum's ability to harmonize the Spleen and Stomach. When Yin and Yang are unblocked and the Spleen and Stomach are harmonized, one can sleep peacefully. Thus, the *Neijing* states "after taking medicine, sleep comes as soon as the cup is put down," indicating the speed of efficacy. However, later generations rarely used it because the ingredients were simple and common, causing this excellent prescription to be buried. My student Gao XX treated a patient surnamed Liu in Tianjin, aged forty-two, who had not slept for four months despite medication. He asked me for treatment advice, and I provided the Banxia Shumi Tang formula. Since the patient complained of fullness below the Heart, Gao XX modified the classic formula: first, he decocted four liang of fresh Radish (Laifu) cut into strips in two cups of water, then used this liquid to decoct four qian of Clear Pinellia Rhizome (Qing Banxia). At 8 PM that evening, the patient slept peacefully. After several doses, the epigastric fullness also resolved.