Source: Yixue Faming (Medical Inventions ).

Ingredients:
No. 1 Zhusha (Cinnabaris) 15 g;
No. 2 Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 18 g;
No. 3 Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparatae) 16g;
No. 4 Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae) 8 g;
No. 5 Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 8 g.

Administration:
Grind the first ingredient in water or grind it into extremely fine powder; then mix it well with the fine powder of the rest; make the mixture into pills with honey and take 6 - 9 g each time with warm boiled water before going to bed. Or decoct the above except No. 1 in water with dosages modified proportionally on the basis of the original recipe, take with this decoction the first ingredient after it is ground in water.

Actions:
Tranquilizing mind and purging away fire from the heart.

Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for mental derangement due to hyperactivity of heart-fire and deficiency of yin and blood, marked by insomnia, dreaminess, severe palpitation with fright, vexation, irritability, reddened tongue, thready and rapid pulse. It is applicable to palpitation, amnesia, and insomnia induced by neurosis, or to vague mind induced by mental depression and others, which belong to the flaring up of heart fire and deficiency of yin and blood. If complicated with phlegm-heat manifesting chest distress and greasy fur, add Quangualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) and Zhuru (Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam) to clear away heat and eliminate phlegm. In case of severe palpitation and insomnia, add Longgu (Os Draconis), Muli (Concha Ostreae) and Cishi (Magnetitum) to enhance the effect.

Elucidation:
The syndrome results from hyperactivity of the heart-fire, causing impairment of yin blood and lack of nourishment in the heart. It should be treated with heavy sedatives and by purging heart fire. The first ingredient is heavy and cold in nature and takes effect directly in the heart meridian. It acts as monarch drug with the effect of easing mind and purging fire from the heart. The second ingredient functions as minister drug to help bring about the effect of the monarch drug.

The combination of both achieves a remarkable effect of clearing away heat from the heart and relieving vexation. Ingredients No. 5 and No. 4 have the respective effect of nourishing blood and yin and are used as adjuvant drugs. Serving as guiding drug, Ingredient No. 3 can supplement qi and regulate the middle-energizer, prevent No. 1 from impairing the stomach, and mediate the properties of other drugs.

Cautions: This recipe is contraindicated for those with general debility or weakness of the spleen and stomach.