formula | Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill Ci Zhu Wan |
alias | Medicated Leaven Pill Shen Qu Wan |
bubble_chart Efficacy
Tranquilizing the mind with heavy sedatives, nourishing yin to improve vision.
bubble_chart Formula Principles
This syndrome is caused by the non-interaction between the heart and kidney, resulting in the disharmony of water and fire. The ability of the ears and eyes to hear and see relies on the nourishment of the essential qi ascending from the five zang-organs and six fu-organs. The ears are the external orifices of the kidney, infused by the twelve Jingmai, and internally connected to the brain. The kidney, which stores essence, governs the bones and generates marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow. When the kidney essence is abundant, the sea of marrow is nourished, and hearing and vision are normal. The classic states: "If the sea of marrow is insufficient, the brain will experience tinnitus." If kidney water cannot ascend to nourish the heart, heart fire will become hyperactive, disturbing mental activity, leading to palpitations and insomnia. When water fails to nourish wood, liver wind carries phlegm, and phlegm follows qi counterflow, the seven orifices are clouded, resulting in sudden fainting, frothing at the mouth, upward gaze of the eyes, and convulsions of the limbs, as seen in epilepsy.
The formula uses Magnetite to enter the kidney, primarily to nourish yin and subdue yang, calming and tranquilizing the spirit; it is assisted by Cinnabar to enter the heart, clearing the heart and tranquilizing the spirit. These two herbs work together to calm floating yang, harmonize water and fire, and promote heart-kidney interaction, allowing essential qi to ascend. This prevents heart fire from disturbing the upper body, thereby alleviating symptoms such as deafness, blurred vision, palpitations, insomnia, and epilepsy. Additionally, Medicated Leaven is included to harmonize the stomach and transport the spleen, preventing mineral medicines from hindering digestion. Rice soup is used to benefit the stomach and supplement the middle, aiding the circulation of medicinal effects, serving as adjuvant and guiding herbs.
bubble_chart Documentationbubble_chart Modern Application
Modern medicine believes that this prescription has sedative and antiepileptic effects. It is mainly used for: bipolar disorder, neurogenic tinnitus, schizophrenia, dementia, epilepsy, presenting with palpitations, insomnia, blurred vision, deafness, tinnitus, and a wiry, thin, and rapid pulse.