帝曰∶人之善忘者，何气使然？岐伯曰∶上气不足，下气有余，肠胃实而心气虚，则荣卫留
于下，久之不以时上，故善忘也。夫善忘者，乃忧思过度损其心胞，以致神舍不清，遇事则忘。
然思伤脾，亦能令人健忘。心脉洪大而散主于火，涩为血少。治宜养血安神，宁心醒脾。
主方 人参 石菖蒲 远志肉 茯神 丹参 当归 麦冬 生地（等分） 甘草（减半）
加灯心，龙眼七枚，水煎，临睡服。
中脘有痰，妨于心窍，亦令健忘加橘红、胆星、黄连。
归脾汤 忧思伤脾，心血耗损，健忘惊悸，怔忡恍惚，盗汗烦热，神乱少睡，或嗜卧减食
，女人经愆晡热，瘰 流注，不消不敛。
人参 白术 龙眼肉 白茯苓 远志肉 当归 酸枣仁（研，炒） 黄 （各一钱） 木香
甘草（炙。各五分）姜三，枣一，水煎服。
二神散 治健忘，十日效，久服日记千言。
茯神 远志 石菖蒲（等分为末）
早晚各四钱，水一钟，煎十沸，连渣服。
简便方 健忘。
吉祥草为末（三钱，酒下）；书室栽之，明目强记。
又 莲子（泡，去皮心）研粉，先以粳米二合煮粥，次入粉煮食。
经曰∶肾在志为恐，恐伤肾，思胜恐。恐者，自知如人将捕之状，欲人作伴，夜设灯烛是也
。又曰∶肝在志为怒，怒伤肝，悲胜怒。怒在阴之阳，阴气闭遏其阳，而阳不得伸，故怒也。又
曰∶肝木太过，其病怒而勇敢，喜笑不休者。经曰∶心藏神，神有余则笑不休。又曰∶精气并于
心则喜笑，皆属心火之甚，犹燔烁之火而鸣笑也。
主方 （治恐） 人参 枳壳 五味子 桂心（各六分） 柏子仁 熟地 茯神（各钱半）
枸杞子 甘菊花 山茱萸（各一钱） 加姜、枣，水煎服。
不能独卧加远志、白术、前胡（各七分）、细辛（三分）。
抑肝散 治怒。甚者，服当归龙荟丸（方见胁痛）。
香附（四两） 柴胡 黄连 青皮（各二两） 甘草（一两）为末，每二钱，白汤下。
黄连解毒汤 治喜（方见火门）。加半夏、竹沥、姜汁。
先以食盐（二两）烧赤，河水二碗，煎三沸，徐啜之；以指探喉中，吐痰为度。
因惊邪、心虚致笑，宜服牛黄造命丹（方见小儿惊门）。
The Yellow Emperor asked: What qi mechanism causes people to be prone to forgetfulness? Qibo replied: When the qi of the upper jiao is insufficient and the qi of the lower jiao is excessive, with full intestines and stomach but deficient heart qi, Ying and Wei Qi stagnate in the lower part and fail to ascend to the upper part on time for a long period, thus causing forgetfulness. Forgetfulness arises from excessive worry and overthinking damaging the Pericardium (Heart Protector), leading to an unclear dwelling place for the Spirit (Shen), resulting in forgetting events when they occur. However, overthinking also damages the Spleen, which can likewise cause forgetfulness. A Heart pulse that is surging (Hong) and scattered indicates excessive Fire; a choppy (Se) pulse indicates blood deficiency. Treatment should focus on nourishing Blood and calming the Spirit, soothing the Heart and awakening the Spleen.
Main Formula: Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii), Yuan Zhi Rou (Radix Polygalae Seedless), Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood), Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) in equal parts; Gan Cao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma) in half amount. Add Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla) and seven Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril). Decoct in water and take before sleep.
If Phlegm accumulates in the Zhongwan (CV12) region and obstructs the Heart orifices, it also leads to forgetfulness; add Ju Hong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum), Dan Xing (Arisaematis Cum Bile Rhizoma), and Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma).
Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction): Indicated for forgetfulness, palpitations, fright, timidity, spontaneous sweating, vexation and heat, mental confusion, insomnia, lethargy, reduced appetite due to worry and overthinking damaging the Spleen and consuming Heart Blood; also for irregular menstruation, afternoon tidal fever, scrofula (Luo Li), and flowing abscesses (Liu Zhu) that do not resolve or heal.
Ingredients: Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril), Bai Fu Ling (Poria), Yuan Zhi Rou (Radix Polygalae Seedless), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, crushed and stir-fried), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) (each 1 qian); Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Radix et Rhizoma) (each 0.5 qian). Add three slices of Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and one Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus). Decoct in water and take orally.
Er Shen San (Two Spirits Powder): Treats forgetfulness; effective within ten days. Long-term use enhances memory, allowing one to remember thousands of words daily.
Ingredients: Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) ground into powder in equal parts. Take 4 qian morning and evening, decoct in one zhong of water for ten boils, and consume including the dregs.
Simple Prescription: For forgetfulness.
Xiang Ji Cao (Chloranthus spicatus) ground into powder (3 qian), taken with wine; planting it in the study room brightens the eyes and strengthens memory.
Another method: Lian Zi (Nelumbinis Semen, soaked, peeled, and cored) ground into powder. First cook two he of Jing Mi (Oryza Sativa Germine) into porridge, then add the powder and cook to eat.
The Classics state: The emotion associated with the Kidney is Fear (Kong). Fear damages the Kidneys; Thought (Si) conquers Fear. Fear manifests as feeling as if someone is about to capture you, desiring companionship, and lighting candles at night. It is also stated: The emotion associated with the Liver is Anger (Nu). Anger damages the Liver; Grief (Bei) conquers Anger. Anger belongs to Yang within Yin. When Yin Qi closes off and restricts Yang Qi, preventing its extension, anger arises. It is further stated: Excessive Liver Wood leads to symptoms of anger, courage, and incessant laughter. The Classics state: The Heart stores the Spirit (Shen). If Shen is in excess, there is incessant laughter. It is also said: When Essence and Qi congregate in the Heart, it results in laughter. All these belong to excessive Heart Fire, similar to the sound and laughter produced by burning fire.
Main Formula (for treating Fear): Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex) (each 6 fen); Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Semen), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) (each 1.5 qian); Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos), Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus) (each 1 qian). Add Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus), decoct in water and take orally.
If unable to lie down alone, add Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) (each 7 fen), and Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) (3 fen).
Yi Gan San (Suppress Liver Powder): Treats Anger. For severe cases, take Dang Gui Long Hui Wan (Angelica Sinensis and Gardenia Pill) (see formula under Hypochondriac Pain).
Ingredients: Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma) (4 liang), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) (each 2 liang), Gan Cao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma) (1 liang). Grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time, washed down with warm water.
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Decoction for Relieving Toxicity): Treats excessive Laughter (See formula under Fire Section). Add Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Zhu Li (Bambusae Sap), and Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Juice).
First, burn 2 liang of Yan Yan (Halitum) until red-hot, then pour in two bowls of He Shui (River Water), boil for three times, and sip slowly. Use a finger to stimulate the throat to induce vomiting, stopping when Phlegm is expelled.
For laughter caused by Fright Evil and Heart Deficiency, Niu Huang Zao Ming Dan (Calculus Bovis Life-Preserving Pill) is suitable (See formula under Pediatric Fright Section).