Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan  天王补心丸
Emperor of Heaven’s Tonify the Heart Pill

Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan made by Beijing Tongren Tang, one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers in China. They are prepared as 9 gram honey boluses sealed with wax.

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Fine formulas for Women with Annotations and Commentary, 16th C.

Preparation:

Powder the herbs, form honey pills, and coat with Cinnabar. Some versions mix the Cinnabar with the herbs and form pills. Some patent versions omit Cinnabar.

Function:

Nourish Heart Yin and Blood, Tonify the Heart and Kidney, Calm the Spirit

Use:

There will be insomnia, irritability, palpitations, poor memory, red tongue or red tongue tip with a thin and rapid pulse.
1. Insomnia or dream-disturbed sleep; Sleep disorders
2. Anxiety disorders
3. Panic attacks
4. Neurasthenia
5. Post Traumatic Stress
6. Palpitations, Arrhythmia, Tachycardia
7. Hyperthyroidism
8. Hypertension
9. Menopausal Syndrome
10. Overuse or tolerance to sedatives and tranquilisers
11. Nervous and psychological disorder from long-term stimulant use

Dose:

9 grams twice or thrice daily; in long-term use, often one dose an hour before bed is sufficient

Cautions:

1. Contains Cinnabar, so should not be used for more than 3 weeks without a break. There are Patent versions with and without Cinnabar.
2. Digestive weakness (Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency)
3. Phlegm-Damp disorders

Modifications:

1. Red Coral or Pearl can replace Cinnabar.

Comment:

This is a much used formula for Insomnia, Anxiety and Sleep disorders. It can be used for various states where the mind and nervous system are stressed or exhausted. In severe cases, the formula with Cinnabar can be used for 2 or 3 weeks. After this, the formula without Cinnabar added can be continued.

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