An Shen Ding Zhi Wan: Calming the Mind and Relieving Anxiety
Hongji Medical- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan, a formula from the book Yixue Xinwu (Insights of Medicine) by the renowned Qing Dynasty physician Cheng Guopeng, is a well-known remedy.
Cheng Guopeng was a prominent doctor whose work in Yixue Xinwu compiled years of clinical experience and scholarly insights, significantly influencing the development of Chinese medicine. An Shen Ding Zhi Wan was carefully crafted by Cheng through his extensive practice to address issues like anxiety and insomnia.
Since its creation, this formula has been widely praised for its effectiveness, becoming a staple in Chinese medicine for calming the mind. Even today, An Shen Ding Zhi Wan continues to play a vital role in clinical practice, helping countless patients overcome anxiety and sleeplessness.
Formula Explanation of An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan is skillfully formulated with multiple herbs, each contributing to its ability to calm the mind and promote tranquility:
Ren Shen (Main Herb): Greatly tonifies vital energy, strengthens the spleen, nourishes the heart, and calms the mind.
Fu Ling, Fu Shen (Supporting Herbs): Strengthen the spleen, tonify qi, calm the mind, and promote fluid balance.
Yuan Zhi, Shi Chang Pu (Assistant Herbs): Open orifices, calm the mind, clear phlegm, awaken the brain, and harmonize the heart and kidneys.
Long Chi (Envoy Herb): Calms anxiety, stabilizes the mind, and suppresses excessive yang.
Zhu Sha (Auxiliary, rarely used today): Calms the heart, clears heat, and detoxifies (modern formulas often exclude it due to toxicity).
From the perspective of Chinese medicine’s “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy” framework, Ren Shen is the monarch herb, primarily tonifying vital energy, strengthening the spleen, nourishing the heart, and calming the mind.
Fu Ling and Fu Shen are minister herbs, supporting Ren Shen by enhancing spleen function, tonifying qi, calming the mind, and balancing fluids.
Yuan Zhi and Shi Chang Pu are assistant herbs, opening orifices, calming the mind, clearing phlegm, awakening the brain, and harmonizing heart-kidney communication.
Long Chi serves as the envoy herb, calming anxiety and stabilizing excessive yang. Together, these herbs tonify qi, nourish blood, and calm the mind, restoring mental tranquility.
Pathogenesis Analysis of An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan targets the core pathogenesis of “heart qi deficiency with malnourished spirit.”
In Chinese medicine, the heart governs the mind and blood vessels. When heart qi is sufficient, the mind is calm, and mental clarity is maintained. However, factors like anxiety, excessive worry, or prolonged illness can deplete heart qi, leaving the spirit undernourished and causing various mental and emotional symptoms.
Weak heart qi fails to anchor the spirit, leading to restlessness and susceptibility to fright.
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan corrects this by tonifying heart qi and calming the mind. Ren Shen, the core herb, greatly tonifies vital energy to replenish heart qi.
Fu Ling and Fu Shen strengthen the spleen and tonify qi, aiding in the production of qi and blood to indirectly support heart qi. Yuan Zhi and Shi Chang Pu open orifices, calm the mind, and harmonize heart-kidney communication. Long Chi stabilizes the mind and prevents excessive yang from disturbing it.
Together, these herbs effectively tonify heart qi, stabilize the mind, and nourish the spirit, alleviating symptoms caused by heart qi deficiency.
Effects of An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan is primarily used for mental restlessness caused by anxiety, with symptoms including:
Insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, or waking easily
Restless sleep, frequent dreams, or startling during dreams
Heart palpitations and being easily frightened
Mental confusion or a dazed expression
Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
Pale tongue with white coating, weak and thin pulse
These symptoms point to the core issue: heart qi deficiency and malnourished spirit. Anxiety depletes heart qi, causing mental restlessness. Insufficient heart qi impairs sleep regulation, leading to insomnia and vivid dreams.
A malnourished spirit results in being easily startled, causing palpitations. Mental restlessness leads to confusion and a dazed demeanor, while heart qi deficiency causes forgetfulness and poor focus.
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan’s main effects are tonifying heart qi and calming the mind. By replenishing heart qi and nourishing the spirit, it alleviates these symptoms, restoring a calm and peaceful state of mind.
Specifically, An Shen Ding Zhi Wan offers:
Tonifying Heart Qi: Replenishes heart qi, enhancing heart function.
Calming the Mind: Stabilizes the spirit, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep.
Relieving Anxiety and Palpitations: Calms the mind, reduces fright, and eases palpitations.
Enhancing Mental Clarity: Improves memory, focus, and cognitive function.
Modern Applications
Modern research shows An Shen Ding Zhi Wan has diverse pharmacological effects, making it useful for treating various conditions:
Neurasthenia: Improves insomnia, forgetfulness, and dizziness caused by nervous exhaustion.
Anxiety Disorders: Reduces tension and fear associated with anxiety.
Menopausal Syndrome: Regulates hormones, alleviating insomnia and palpitations during menopause.
Pediatric ADHD: Improves focus and reduces hyperactivity in children with ADHD.
Arrhythmias: Regulates heart rhythm, relieving palpitations and chest discomfort.
Precautions
Despite its benefits, An Shen Ding Zhi Wan requires careful use:
Pattern Differentiation: It is specific to heart qi deficiency and mental restlessness. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner for proper diagnosis.
Caution in Pregnancy: Pregnant women should use it only under medical guidance due to their unique condition.
Avoid with Veratrum: Veratrum is incompatible with Ren Shen and should not be used together.
Contains Zhu Sha: Traditional formulas included Zhu Sha, but due to its toxicity, modern commercial versions typically exclude it.
Conclusion
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan is a treasure in the treasury of Chinese medicine. With its carefully crafted formula and remarkable effects, it has helped countless patients overcome anxiety and insomnia, restoring a peaceful life. In today’s high-stress world, An Shen Ding Zhi Wan can calm the mind and stabilize emotions. Always consult an authorized medical professional before use to ensure safety and efficacy.
