An Shen Ding Zhi Wan — Calm the Spirit, Settle the Emotions Pill

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan — the “Calm the Spirit, Settle the Emotions Pill” — is from Yi Xue Xin Wu. It addresses anxiety with Heart-Qi deficiency combined with low-grade Phlegm disturbing the Shen: the patient is easily startled, jumps at noises, feels timid, has palpitations and sleep-onset insomnia, with mild memory and concentration difficulties. The Ren Shen + Fu Ling + Fu Shen combination tonifies Heart-Spleen Qi while Yuan Zhi + Shi Chang Pu open the orifices and resolve Phlegm-misting the Heart, with Long Chi (or Long Gu) anchoring the unsettled Shen.

I prescribe An Shen Ding Zhi Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan is prescribed for Heart-Qi deficiency with Phlegm misting the Shen:

• Easily startled, jumpy, anxious
• Palpitations, racing heart with mild stress
• Timidity, easily intimidated
• Sleep-onset insomnia with mind racing
• Mild memory and concentration difficulty
• Possible vivid or frightening dreams
• Tongue — pale, possibly with thin coat
• Pulse — thin, slightly rapid

Key herbs

1. Ren Shen (Rx. Ginseng, 3–9g) — tonifies Heart Qi
2. Fu Ling (Poria, 6–15g), Fu Shen (Poria with Heart, 6–15g) — calm Shen; tonify Heart Qi
3. Yuan Zhi (Rx. Polygalae, 3–9g) — calms Shen; opens orifices; resolves Phlegm from the Heart
4. Shi Chang Pu (Rz. Acori Tatarinowii, 3–6g) — aromatically opens orifices; clears Phlegm
5. Long Chi (Dens Draconis, 9–30g) — powerfully anchors the unsettled Shen

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Heart Qi
2. Calms Shen; anchors the floating mind
3. Opens orifices and resolves Phlegm misting the Heart

Conditions treated

1. Generalised anxiety with palpitations — see anxiety
2. Panic disorder with easily startled response
3. Sleep-onset insomnia from anxious mind
4. Post-traumatic stress with hypervigilance
5. Performance anxiety
6. ADHD with restless inattention in children (mild cases)
7. Mild memory difficulties in anxious adults

Cautions

Long Chi (fossil dragon teeth) is traditionally used; pharmaceutical-grade Sun Ten product uses regulated sources or substitutes Long Gu (fossil dragon bone) where appropriate.

Not appropriate for Yin-deficient anxiety with night sweats and Heat (use Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) or Liver Fire anxiety (use Long Dan Xie Gan Tang variants).

Severe anxiety or panic disorder benefits from mental health assessment alongside herbal support.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.