Library

Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baiziren (Platycladi Semen), Szaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Zhusha (Cinnabaris), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Fushen (Poria cum Pinus), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix).

The Heart is the official responsible for the spirit and consciousness. Excessive thinking, worrying, and sorrow, over a long period, lead to "Heart Labor" (damage to heart function due to excessive consumption), which injures the spirit. Consequently, palpitations (restlessness of the heart), forgetfulness, blurred vision, and ocular discharge occur. The Heart governs blood; when blood is dry, stool becomes difficult to pass; when blood is moist, stool is soft and smooth. If Heart Fire fails to warm Spleen Earth, bowel movements may be irregular. Heart deficiency with internal fire scorching leads to sores in the mouth and tongue. Shengdihuang, Danshen, and Yuanshen clear Heart heat. Zhusha, Fushen, Baiziren, and Szaoren calm the Heart spirit. Tianmendong, Maimendong, and Wuweizi, combined with Renshen, clear Heart Qi and generate Heart fluids. Yuanzhi and Jiegeng, combined with Danggui, relieve Heart depression and nourish the Heart spirit. These herbs specialize in tonifying the Heart, hence the name. Chronic illness that does not resolve must have hidden emotional causes; extreme emotional suppression leads to emaciation and eventually consumptive disease (Lao Zhai, similar to tuberculosis). Treating Lao Zhai like Zhao Yangkui did, using only Liuwei Dihuang Wan and Bawei Dihuang Wan until death, ignores that such diseases are caused by emotional desires, and the responsibility lies with the Heart Monarch. The Classics state: "If the ruler is unclear, the twelve officials are in danger." Prescribing this formula, who would say it is inappropriate?

Poem:
Tianmendong closes, Maimendong opens,
Wuweizi and three types of Shen arrive far away,
Baiziren, Szaoren, Renshen, Danggui, and Huaiqing Dihuang,
Fushen leaves all to Gengdan Cliff.

One jin (approx. 500g) of Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), crushed together with Huajiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium) and Xiaohuixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), stir-fried with Sesame Wine. After frying, sift clean, and while still dry, quickly pound into powder. Then add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Baijuhua (Chrysanthemi Indici Flos), and Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix praeparata), each one liang (approx. 30-37g), grind uniformly, and make pills with honey.

This formula treats deficiency and damage of both Kidneys, manifesting as blurred vision and white opacities in the eyes.

The Left Kidney is Yin Water; when Yin declines, Yang Fire dominates alone, causing visual hallucinations of flowers. The Right Kidney is Yang Water; when Yang declines, Yin Qi steams upward, causing visual obstruction. This formula uses four-processed Gouqi to benefit Essence and also to stimulate Yang, supplying the Right Kidney. Baizhu, Fuling, Ju Hua, and Dihuang promote dampness drainage and also generate Yin, supplying the Left Kidney. When the waters of both Kidneys are full, the Five Fires subside quietly, and the illness heals. Naming this pill "Shen" (Spirit/God) is justified.

Poem:
Freshly selected one jin of Gouqi,
Stir-fried with pepper, fennel, and sesame, pounded like dust,
Bring Lingzhu, Atractylodes, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia,
Refine honey to make pills named Four Spirits.