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[Niuhuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill)]
Treats wind-epilepsy with loss of consciousness, flooding of phlegm-saliva, and convulsions. (Wind-epilepsy may be caused by fright received in the womb or by sudden severe fright after birth. Since a child's Shen spirit is still weak, fright causes the Shen to lose its residence; when the residence is empty, phlegm-saliva flows into it, leading to phlegm misting the Heart orifices. It may also result from contracting Wind-Cold, Summerheat, or Dampness, or from irregular diet causing Qi rebellion damaging Zang-Fu Qi, leading to stagnation and generation of phlegm-saliva, blocking the meridians, and finally resulting in Jue syndrome. The condition may occur once every few days or several times a day. During an attack, there is sudden dizziness and falling, unconsciousness, and convulsive twitching.)

Herbs: Danxing (Arisaema cum Bile), Quanxie (Scorpio), Chantui (Cicada Slough, 2 qian 5 fen), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), Baifuzi (Radix Bryoniae Albae), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae).

This formula consists of herbs belonging to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Niuhuang clears the Heart, resolves heat, opens the orifices, and benefits phlegm; Tianma, Fangfeng, Nanxing, and Quanxie have acrid-dispersing properties; Jiangcan and Chantui are clear-transforming agents; Baifuzi is a herb for the head and face (dispersing wandering Wind in the head and face); all can search out Liver Wind and dissipate phlegm nodules; Shexiang (Moschus) opens the orifices; Shuiyin (Mercurius) captures stubborn phlegm; using Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Jie (Brassicae Semenis) as guides serves to expel Wind and move Phlegm. (Note: There are many formulas for Niuhuang Wan, with similarities and differences among them, but the general principle lies in searching out Wind, resolving Phlegm, calming the Heart, and opening the orifices, often using Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum), Shexiang, Niuhuang, Xionghuang (Realgar), Jinbo (Gold Leaf), Zhuzhen (Pearl), Xijiao (Rhino Horn - *note: use substitutes in modern practice*), and Hupo (Electrum). If the pathogen has entered the Zang, this is suitable; however, if it has only entered the Fu or the channels and collaterals, it may instead draw Wind into the bones. This formula is relatively simple in composition, so it is recorded here to illustrate others. Yu Jiayan stated: Niuhuang Wan and Suhe Wan have different treatments: Heat obstructing the orifices is suitable for Niuhuang Wan; Cold obstructing the orifices is suitable for Suhe Wan. In cases of death signs such as hand laxity, mouth opening, and urinary incontinence, urgent vigorous tonification with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) is required...)

(From *Lingyuan*)

[Chensha San (Cinnabar Powder)]
Treats various epilepsies caused by Wind-Phlegm, and manic-depressive mental disorders. (Various epilepsies arise from fright, fear, worry, and anger, causing excessive Fire in the Heart and Phlegm blocking the Heart orifices. At onset, there is sudden collapse, convulsions, shouting, and salivation...)

Herbs: Chensha (Cinnabaris, bright quality, 1 liang), Ruxiang (Olibanum, bright and translucent quality), Zaoren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 5 qian, stir-fried).

Usage: Mix with warm wine and take, drinking freely until intoxicated, allowing the patient to sleep for one shichen (two hours).

This formula belongs to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Chensha calms the Heart and drains Heart Fire; Ruxiang enters the Heart to dissipate blood stasis; Zaoren tonifies the Liver and Gallbladder and calms the Heart.

Adding 1 liang of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) to this base formula, processed into honey pills the size of a bullet, named Ningzhi Gao (from *Baoshi Fang*), taken one pill at a time with Bohe Tang (Menthae Haplocalycis Decoction): treats the same conditions.