Library

[Pulse] The pulse at the Cun Kou (Inch Port) is active and weak. "Active" indicates fright, while "weak" indicates palpitations. The pulse at the Fu Yang (Foot Yang) is faint and floating. Floating indicates deficiency of Stomach Qi, and faintness indicates an inability to eat; this is the pulse of fear, caused by distress and pressure. If the Cun Kou pulse is tight and the Fu Yang pulse is floating, it indicates deficiency of Stomach Qi, thereby leading to palpitations. A sudden surging Liver pulse indicates shock or terror.

[Symptoms] There are three types of palpitations: Jing (Fright), Ji (Palpitation), and Song Ji (Empty Palpitations). When Phlegm-Fluid obstructs the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), symptoms include shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, edema of the four limbs, loss of taste in food, mental emptiness with irritability, and restlessness in sitting or lying down. Ji refers to the sensation of the heart beating vigorously.

[Treatment] Caused by Blood deficiency. The Liver governs Blood; without Blood to nourish it, Liver Wood becomes hyperactive, making one prone to fright. When the Spirit is disordered and Qi condenses with Saliva, Jing-Ji (Fright-Palpitation) ensues. For Jing-Ji due to Blood deficiency, treatment should employ Zhusha Anshen Wan (Cinnabar Calming the Spirit Pill). For condensation of Qi and Saliva, Wendan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction) is indicated, acting on the Heart and Gallbladder meridians. In children, convulsions with saliva flooding as if dead result from terror received during gestation. This is due to accumulated heat in the abdomen; treatments such as descending phlegm, suppressing fire, and clearing the heart may be used.

Jing-Ji caused by loss of willpower and Qi stagnation, with Saliva accumulating in the Heart and Spleen meridians, should be treated with Dingzhi Wan (Stabilize Will Pill). "Loss of willpower" refers to circumstances being unsatisfactory or long-term yearning for a loved one. Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) palpitations occur when pathogenic factors enter the Kidney, allowing Water to overwhelm the Heart; specifically, Kidney Water bullies Heart Fire, as Fire fears Water. Treatment focuses on managing Water: use Fuling (Poria) to guide out dampness, and adjust with Sixni San (Four Reversal Powder). The herbs are Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), Shaoyao (Peony Root), and Gancao (Licorice Root). This differs from ordinary Jing-Ji; although named similarly, it is recorded separately for distinction.

Convulsions caused by Phlegm-Fluid present with wiry and choppy pulses, and all cases require purgation.

Additionally, Gan Bi (Liver Obstruction) and Xin Fei Nu (Heart-Lung Malaria) manifest as deficiency-cold and are accompanied by fright.

Zhusha Anshen Wan (Cinnabar Calming the Spirit Pill): Treats Jing-Ji due to Blood deficiency.
Ingredients: Zhusha (Cinnabar, 1 liang, ground separately), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome, 1 qian 2 fen), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root, 5 fen), Gancao (Licorice Root, 5 fen), Shengdi (Rehmannia Root Preparata, 3 qian).
Preparation: Form pills using Chuibing (steamed dough balls).

Wendan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction): Treats easy fright due to Heart and Gallbladder deficiency.
Ingredients: Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange, 2 liang), Fuling (Poria, 1 liang 5 qian), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel, 3 liang), Gancao (Licorice Root, 1 liang).

Hanshui Shi San (Cold Water Stone Powder): Treats impaired Heart Qi flow due to fright, where stagnation generates Phlegm that congeals into Fluid.
Ingredients: Hanshui Shi (Calcitum, dosage unspecified), Huashi (Talcum, water-ground, each 1 liang), Gancao (Licorice Root, 1 liang), Longnao (Borneol, a small amount).
Administration: Take with cold water for heat patterns; take with ginger juice for cold patterns.