Library

Treats mental confusion, palpitations (palpitation), and insomnia.
Cinnabar (separately ground) 15 g, Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian, 黄连) 15 g, Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui, 当归) 6 g, Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Shengdihuang, 生地黄) 9 g, Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (Zhigancao, 炙甘草) 6 g.
The above herbs are ground into fine powder, soaked in wine, steamed with steamed bread dough, and formed into pills the size of hemp seeds, coated with Cinnabar powder. Take thirty pills each time, swallowed with saliva before sleep.

[Collected Annotations] Ye Zhongjian stated: The classics say, "Spirit resides in the heart, and spirit and vitality are complete." It also says, "The Heart is the root of life and the residence of the Spirit." Moreover, as the Monarch official, if the Monarch is unclear, essence and qi become chaotic; if the Spirit is overworked, the Hun and Po scatter, leading to insomnia and vivid dreams. Mild cases manifest as palpitations, while severe cases result in dementia, delirium, or mania. Cinnabar possesses a luminous nature, its red color corresponds to the Heart, its heaviness calms fright, its coldness clears heat, and its sweetness generates fluids. It suppresses the floating of Yin fire and nourishes the Yuan Qi of the Upper Jiao, making it the premier herb for calming the Spirit. If the Heart is hot, it is paired with the bitter-cold Rhizoma Coptidis to drain Heart heat, assisted by the sweet nature of Licorice Root to further drain fire. The Heart governs Blood; thus, the sweet-warm Radix Angelicae Sinensis is used to replenish Heart blood, assisted by the cold nature of Rehmannia Root to tonify. When Heart blood is sufficient, the Liver has what to store, and the Hun naturally settles; when Heart heat is resolved, the Lung fulfills its function, and the Po naturally rests.

*Yi Zong Jin Jian*, Volume 27

Treats a洪大 (Hongda, surging) pulse, vexation and restlessness, fatigue in the four limbs, reluctance to speak, lack of energy to move, and panting with rising Qi upon exertion.
Radix Astragali (Huangqi, 黄芪), Radix Ginseng (Renshen, 人参), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu, 白术), Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (Zhigancao, 炙甘草), Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chenpi, 陈皮), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui, 当归), Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shengma, 升麻), Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu, 柴胡). These eight herbs, added with three slices of Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang, 生姜) and two Jujubes (Dazao, 大枣), are decocted in water and taken warm.

[Collected Annotations] Ke Qin stated: Zhang Zhongjing had two methods: Jianzhong (Establish the Middle) and Lizhong (Regulate the Middle). When Wind-Wood internally invades the Middle Qi, Licorice, Maltose, and Jujube are used to cultivate Earth to control Wood; Ginger, Cinnamon Twig, and Paeonia Root are used to calm Wood and expel Wind, hence named Jianzhong. When Cold-Water internally coagulates in the Middle Qi, Ginseng, Atractylodes, and Licorice are used to tonify Earth to control Water, assisted by Dried Ginger to generate Earth and resist Cold, hence named Lizhong. Regarding cases where fatigue and overwork lead to physical decline, Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, and internal heat generation, the exterior symptoms resemble external contraction diseases. Only Li Gao recognized this as Spleen damage due to fatigue and overwork, where Grain Qi cannot overcome Yang Qi, sinking into the Yin level and causing fever. Thus, he formulated the method of Tonifying the Middle and Augmenting Qi. He posited that external Wind-Cold damages the form, constituting an Excess condition; internal Spleen-Stomach damage to Qi constitutes a Deficiency condition. Following the principle from the *Neijing*: "For exhaustion, use warmth; for loss, use tonification," one must strictly avoid bitter-cold drugs and select sweet-warm substances to raise Yang Qi, thereby achieving the command of spring's ascending and generating force. Whenever Spleen and Stomach are weak, Lung Qi is first severed; therefore, Astragalus Root is used to protect the skin and hair and close the interstices to prevent spontaneous sweating. For insufficient Yuan Qi, reluctance to speak, and panting, Ginseng is used to tonify. The sweetness of Prepared Licorice drains Heart fire and relieves vexation, while tonifying the Spleen and Stomach to generate Qi. These three herbs are the sacred remedies for relieving vexation and heat. Atractylodes Macrocephala assists in strengthening the Spleen, and Angelica Sinensis harmonizes the Blood. When Qi is chaotic in the chest and clear and turbid Qi interfere with each other, Tangerine Peel is used to regulate it and disperse the stagnation caused by various sweet herbs. When Clear Qi of the Stomach sinks, Cimicifuga and Bupleurum, being light in odor and thin in flavor, are used to guide Stomach Qi upward, restoring it to its original position, allowing it to ascend and float, thus executing the command of growth. Tonifying the Middle agents, when combined with exterior-releasing agents, ensure the Middle remains secure; Qi-augmenting agents, relying on Clear Qi agents, further cultivate Qi. This demonstrates the wonderful synergy in medication. This formula, when used to tonify the Spleen, makes the Earth path low yet ascending; it can also tonify the Heart and Lungs. For Lung damage, augment Qi; for Heart damage, regulate Ying and Wei. It can also tonify Liver Wood; when stagnant, unblock it. However, it is unsuitable for the Kidney; those with Yin deficiency below should not have Qi raised, and those with Yang deficiency below especially should not. All formulas by Li Gao for treating Spleen and Stomach focus on augmenting Qi. Removing Angelica and Atractylodes, adding Atractylodes Lancea and Costus Root creates Tiao Zhong (Regulate the Middle); adding Ophiopogon and Schisandra creates Qing Shu (Clear Summerheat). This exemplifies that doctors do not adhere rigidly to fixed formulas, yet doctors must have formulas. Zhao Xianke said: Postnatal Spleen Earth cannot function without Prenatal Qi. This Qi, due to fatigue, sinks into the Taiyin channel; Clear Qi does not ascend, and Turbid Qi does not descend. Therefore, Cimicifuga and Bupleurum assist Ginseng and Astragalus; this formula thus tonifies the Prenatal within the Postnatal. Whenever Spleen and Stomach are deficient, they prefer Sweet and dislike Bitter, prefer Tonification and dislike Purging, prefer Warmth and dislike Cold, prefer Unblocking and dislike Stagnation, prefer Ascending and dislike Descending, prefer Dryness and dislike Dampness. This formula embodies these characteristics. Lu Lijing stated: This addresses the sinking of Clear Qi, not the case where Lower Deficiency causes Clear Qi to fail to ascend. If a person's Chi pulses at both wrists are faint and minute, whether due to exhaustion of Kidney Water or decline of Mingmen Fire, raising them further would be like shaking the roots of a large tree about to fall.