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It is said: The Heart and the Small Intestine are internally-externally related. Therefore, the Hand-Shaoyin Pericardium Meridian (Shou Shaoyin Jing) and the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (Shou Taiyang Jing) form a table-lining relationship. Its nature corresponds to Fire, it prospers in Summer, and its pulse is洪 (Hong, surging). In the Zang organs, it houses the Shen (Spirit); in emotions, it corresponds to Joy; in pathological changes, it manifests as Sorrow; in fluids, it produces Sweat. Thus, when Heart Qi is deficient, there is endless grief. When excess, there is unceasing laughter. With Heart Qi deficiency, one dreams of fighting fires or seeing phallic objects; if occurring in its proper season (Summer), one dreams of burning and scorching. With Heart Qi excess, one dreams of joy, laughter, fear, and terror. If Jue Qi (rebellious Qi) lodges in the Heart, one dreams of hills, mountains, smoke, and fire. When Heart function declines, there is forgetfulness. When the Heart is hot, there is excessive sweating. Deficiency leads to pulling pain in the chest, abdomen, hypochondrium, and lower back; palpitations, trance-like states, lackluster complexion, and a stiff tongue root. Excess leads to bone pain, fullness and distension in the chest, pain in the hypochondrium, anterior chest, back, shoulder blades, and both arms. Deficiency is treated with tonification; excess is treated with purgation. This is the general principle of treatment.

It is said: The manifestations of Heart deficiency include depletion of Qi and Blood, yellowish complexion with vexatious heat, frequent fear and palpitations with unhappiness, heart and abdominal pain that is hard to describe, occasional discharge of clear saliva, distension and fullness in the Heart and Diaphragm region, forgetfulness, frequent fright, restless sleep, and spiritual trance. All these are caused by deficiency-cold of the Hand-Shaoyin Meridian. The pulse sign appears at the Yin position before the Renying point on the left Cun Kou (Radial Pulse), which is the indicator for this condition.

For treating Heart deficiency with palpitations, heat and pain in the head and neck, manic running, excessive speech, and Qi stagnation in the lower abdomen. Shigao Tang (Gypsum Decoction): Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 2 liang), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, each 1.5 liang), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, radix tip removed, sliced and roasted), Ganjuhua (Chrysanthemi Flos, stems removed), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, thinly sliced). These seven ingredients are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 5 qianbi per dose, add 1.5 zhan of water, decoct until 1 zhan remains, strain, and take warm after meals, three times daily.

For treating Heart organ deficiency-vexation, trance-like states, frequent forgetfulness, and unsettled spirit. Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix, 0.5 liang), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, each 1 liang). These three ingredients are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 3 qianbi per dose, add 1 zhan of water, 3 slices of fresh ginger, 3 leaves of bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), decoct until 7 fen remains, strain, and take warm at any time.

For treating Heart Qi weakness, occasional fainting and dizziness, palpitations, trance-like states, mental confusion and emptiness, to calm the spirit and tonify Heart deficiency. Dansha Fushen Wan (Cinnabar and Poria Pill): Dansha (Cinnabaris, separately ground), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, slightly fried, each 1 liang), Tianzhuhuang (Calami Polypus, ground), Zhenzhumo (Margarita, powdered), Hupo (Succinum, ground), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed, each 0.5 liang), Qianshuang (Plumbum Subacetatum, ground), Shexiang (Moschus, ground), Shuiyinshazi (Hydrargyrum Sand), Ganxie (Scorpio, belly dirt removed and fried), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, separately ground, each 1 fen). These fifteen ingredients are ground into fine powder, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 10–15 pills per dose, washed down with Renshen Fuling Tang (Ginseng and Poria Decoction), after meals and before bed.

For treating pathogenic heat in the Heart Meridian, deficiency-vexation and restlessness, discomfort in the head and eyes, dullness and fatigue of the spirit. Zi Shiyin Tang (Purple Quartz Decoction): Zi Shiyin (Hematitum, separately ground), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted, each 2 liang), Shenggan Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, washed, sliced, and dried), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Zisu Jingye (Perillae Caulis et Folium), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, sliced and roasted), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix, roasted and chopped), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, bristles removed, each 0.5 liang), Chixiaodou (Vigna Angularis Semen, 1 liang). These eleven ingredients are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 3 qianbi per dose, add 1 zhan of water, decoct until 7 fen remains, strain, and take warm after morning and evening meals.

For treating spiritual trance, alternating clarity and confusion, poor mental state, frequent yawning during the day, irregular sleep and diet, to tonify the Heart and benefit the will. Changpu San (Acorus Powder): Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, sliced), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Shenggan Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, washed, sliced, and dried), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed), Shanyu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, each 1 liang), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, bark removed, 0.5 liang). These seven ingredients are made into a fine powder. Take 1 qianbi per dose, mixed with congee water, after meals and before bed.

For treating excessive overthinking, unsettled Heart Qi, palpitations, trance-like states, vexation and fatigue, unclear spirit. Renshen Yuanzhi Wan (Ginseng and Polygala Pill): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, thinly sliced), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, each 1 liang), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, bark removed), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, radix tip removed and roasted), Dansha (Cinnabaris, separately ground, each 0.5 liang). These ten ingredients are ground into fine powder, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 15–20 pills per dose, washed down with rice drink, at any time.

To anchor the Hun and Po spirits, making the person spiritually refreshed and qi clear, eyes bright and ears sharp, strengthening memory and foresight. Yingzhen Wan (True Man Pill): Hupo (Succinum, ground), Yuzhizi (Stemonae Rhizoma), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, each 2 liang), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, bark removed, 1 liang). These eight ingredients are ground into fine powder, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 20 pills per dose, washed down with warm wine before meals.

For treating Heart Qi weakness with palpitations and restless night sleep. Chenxiang San (Agarwood Powder): Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed, each 3 qian), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, fried), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Chenjupi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, white pith removed, sliced and roasted, each 2 qian), Huoxiangye (Pogostemonis Leaf), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix, roasted and chopped), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, silk threads removed and wine-fried, each 1 qian). These ten ingredients are made into a fine powder. Take 1 qianbi per dose, mixed with fresh ginger tea after meals, twice daily and once at night.

For treating Heart Qi insufficiency. Fuling Changpu Wan (Poria and Acorus Pill): Fuling (Poria, black skin removed), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed, each 1 liang), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed, 2 liang), Chixiaodou (Vigna Angularis Semen, 0.5 liang). These five ingredients are ground into fine powder, moistened with steamed bread paste to make pills the size of mung beans. Take 30–50 pills per dose, washed down with cooked water after meals.

For treating Heart Qi insufficiency. Shanzhuyu Wan (Cornus Pill): Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex, bark removed and fried), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, pulp removed and bran-fried), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix, roasted and chopped), Beimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, heart removed and fried), Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix, heart removed and roasted, each 1 liang), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted, each 1.3 liang), Shenggan Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, washed, sliced, and dried), Bobai (Stemonae Radix, each 2 liang), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, bristles removed, 1.5 liang), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed, 0.5 liang). These thirteen ingredients are ground into fine powder, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of bullet casings. Chew one pill thoroughly per dose, wash down with cooked Ophiopogon water after meals.

For treating Heart Qi insufficiency, Spleen lacking generating Qi, Spleen having received pathogenic factors. First diagnose the pulse; if both Heart and Spleen pulses are weak, first administer the tonifying Heart Qi Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Huoxiang (Patchouliae Aromatica Herba, stem removed), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chenjupi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, white pith removed, sliced and roasted, equal parts). These eight ingredients are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 3 qianbi per dose, add 1 zhan of water, decoct until 8 fen remains, strain, and take before meals.

To open the mind and benefit intelligence. Changpu San (Acorus Powder): Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, 3 fen), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed, 1.3 liang), Longgu (Fossilium Os, crushed and ground, each 1.1 liang). These five ingredients are made into a fine powder. Take 1 qianbi per dose, mixed with fresh water at dawn. Taking this medicine should begin on an auspicious day.

For treating Heart deficiency-insufficiency, tonifying Heart Qi. Shanyu Wan (Yam Pill): Shanyu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Shugan Dihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix, roasted, each 1.5 liang), Baiziren (Biotae Semen), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, bristles removed), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, each 1 liang), Beimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus). These eleven ingredients are pounded and sifted into powder, ground evenly, and mixed with honey to make pills the size of bullet casings. After each meal, hold one pill in the mouth to dissolve and swallow the saliva; take again at bedtime.

For treating Heart deficiency with palpitations and restless sleep. Longchi Tang (Dragon Tooth Decoction): Longchi (Fossilium Dentis, each 3 fen), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Danzhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taenia), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, sliced and roasted), Banxiaqu (Pinelliae Fermentum), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, radix tip removed, each 0.5 liang). These eleven ingredients, except for Yinbo (Silver Foil), are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 5 qianbi per dose, add 1.5 zhan of silver water (water boiled with silver), 5 slices of fresh ginger, decoct until 8 fen remains, strain, and take warm after meals.

For treating Heart deficiency with palpitations. Fuling San (Poria Powder): Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed, 3 fen), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, fried), Lingyangjiao (Saigae Tataricae Cornu), Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos, each 0.5 liang), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix, roasted and chopped), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, ground), Tiefen (Ferrum, ground, each 1 fen). These ten ingredients are pounded and ground into powder. Take 2 qianbi per dose, mixed with Zhu Li (Bambusae Succesio) decoction after meals, or washed down with cooked Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) water.

For treating Heart organ deficiency-heat, palpitations and mental emptiness, deficiency-fatigue and shortness of breath, restless sleep. Fushen Wan (Poria Pill): Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed, 2 liang), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted), Longchi (Fossilium Dentis), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, bristles removed), Yunmu Fen (Microlite Powder, each 1.5 liang), Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu, shaved), Huangqi (Astragali Radix). These nine ingredients are pounded and sifted into powder, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of mung beans. Take 15–20 pills per dose after meals, washed down with rice drink.

For treating Heart deficiency with erroneous speech, spiritual trance, and frequent fright. Huangqi Tang (Astragalus Decoction): Huangqi (Astragali Radix, cut), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted, each 2 liang), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, sliced and roasted), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, bark removed). These eight ingredients are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 5 qianbi per dose, add 1.5 zhan of water, 2 split jujubes, decoct until 1 zhan remains, strain, and take warm at any time.

For treating Heart deficiency with palpitations, due to worry, with unsettled Shen Qi. Zhenxin Wan (Heart-Calming Pill): Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix, roasted and chopped), Longchi (Fossilium Dentis, each 1.5 liang), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, pulp removed and bran-fried, each 1 liang), Yinbo (Silver Foil, 2 liang). These eight ingredients are pounded and sifted into powder, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 15–20 pills per dose, washed down with rice drink, after morning and evening meals.

For treating Heart deficiency-insufficiency, palpitations and unrest, erroneous speech. Renshen Yuanzhi San (Ginseng and Polygala Powder): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Shugan Dihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix, roasted, each 3 fen), Hupo (Succinum, ground), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed, each 1 liang), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix, roasted and chopped, 1 fen). These seven ingredients are pounded and ground into powder. Take 2 qianbi per dose, mixed with Jin Yin Tang (Gold and Silver Decoction).

For treating Heart deficiency-insufficiency, palpitations and unrest, erroneous speech. Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, wood removed), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, radix tip removed), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, each 3 fen), Longchi (Fossilium Dentis), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, bark removed, each 0.5 liang). These seven ingredients are finely cut like hemp seeds. Take 5 qianbi per dose, add 1.5 zhan of water, 3 slices of fresh ginger, decoct together until 8 fen remains, strain, and take warm, twice daily.

For treating Heart Qi insufficiency, with alternating joy and sorrow, anger and rage, occasional epistaxis, yellow-red eyes, inverted speech, sore throat, dry lips and mouth, spontaneous cold sweat, palpitations and mental emptiness. Buxin Tang (Tonify Heart Decoction): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Baifuling (Poria, black skin removed), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, bark removed), Ziwan (Adenophorae Radix, seedlings and soil removed), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed and roasted, each 2 liang), Zi Shiyin (Hematitum, ground, 1 liang). These six ingredients are coarsely crushed and sieved. Take 5 qianbi per dose, add 1.5 zhan of water, 2 split jujubes, 30 Chixiaodou (Vigna Angularis Semen), decoct until 8 fen remains, strain, and take warm after meals.

For treating Heart deficiency with unsettled Shen Qi, frequent fright in movements, and restless sleep. Xingren Wan (Apricot Kernel Pill): Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 1 dou, soaked in water, peeled, remove bitter kernels, use child's urine 3 dou to boil for one day, rinse with good wine 2 sheng, then grind into paste, mix with clear wine 3 dou and Dihuang juice 3 sheng, boil in silver/copper vessel over double boiler for one fu-shi until thick like paste, seal tightly in bottle), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, 1 liang, heart removed and dried), Fuling (Poria, coarse skin removed), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, each 2 liang), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, each 1 liang). These six ingredients, excluding the apricot paste, are pounded and sifted into powder, mixed with the paste to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 30 pills per dose, washed down with Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction).

For treating Heart deficiency, generally treating all diseases with deficiency emaciation and weakness. Niuisui Wan (Ox Marrow Pill): Niuisui (Ox Medulla), Yangsui (Sheep Medulla), Baimi (White Honey), Su (Butyrum), Zaogao (Jujube Paste, each 1 sheng), Fuling (Poria), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, radix tip removed), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, each 1.1 liang), Jiang (Dried Ginger), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, dried, each 1.5 liang), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, each 1 liang), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, 3 fen), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1.3 liang). These nineteen ingredients: first pound fourteen ingredients into powder. Take the top five ingredients (marrows, honey, butter, jujube paste) in a copper/ceramic vessel and melt them. Then add the previous powder and boil together until thick like paste. Remove and make into pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 30 pills washed down with warm wine.