Chinese: 磁朱丸
Pinyin: Cí Zhū Wán
Other names: Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill
Chinese: 磁朱丸
Pinyin: Cí Zhū Wán
Other names: Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that sedate and calm the Mind
Contraindications: This formula should not be used without significant modification for problems... This formula should not be used without significant modification for problems with visual or auditory acuity associated with Fire from Liver and Kidney Deficiency. In patients with a weak digestive system, the dosage should be reduced and carefully monitored. At present, the heavy metal toxicity of Cinnabar renders its use obsolete and requires substitution. Not recommended during pregnancy. see more
Source date: 650 AD
Source book: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ci Zhu Wan is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Magnetite (Ci Shi) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 650 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that sedate and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) heavily sedates and calms the Mind and 2) pacifies Rising Yang .
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the four ingredients in Ci Zhu Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Ci Zhu Wan helps treat.
Ci Shi is a king ingredient in Ci Zhu Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
Part used: The mineral power
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiverLung
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Ci Shi is salty, cold, and heavy. It enters the Kidneys, anchors and calms the Mind, pacifies the Rising Yang while
nourishing the Yin, and improves the acuity of hearing and vision. Cinnabar is red and corresponds to the Fire phase, like the Heart. Magnetite is black and corresponds to the water phase, like the Kidneys. Together, they anchor the Mind and pacify the floating Heart Yang so that it can interact with the Kidneys. In this manner, the Fire in the Heart is controlled and the Essence in the Kidneys is able to rise, which gradually resolves the condition.
Zhu Sha is a deputy ingredient in Ci Zhu Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: Heart
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Zhu Sha sedates and calms the Mind and clears Heat from the Heart. Cinnabar is red and corresponds to the Fire phase, like the Heart. Magnetite is black and corresponds to the water phase, like the Kidneys. Together, they anchor the Mind and pacify the floating Heart Yang so that it can interact with the Kidneys. In this manner, the Fire in the Heart is controlled and the Essence in the Kidneys is able to rise, which gradually resolves the condition.
Shen Qu is an assistant ingredient in Ci Zhu Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Part used: This is a fermented combination of wheat flour, Artemisia annua, Xanthium, Polygonum hydropiper and other herbs.
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation
Shen Qu strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and aids digestion. Not only does it prevent injury to the Stomach Qi from the heavy metals, it also helps disseminate their actions throughout the body. Focusing on the Middle Burner, it also plays an active role in stabilizing the normal ascending and descending of the Essence and Fire.
Feng Mi is an assistant ingredient in Ci Zhu Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Part used: Honey
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: StomachLarge intestineLung
Category: Laxative herbs that drain downward
In general Feng Mi's main actions are as follows: "Reinforces the spleen and stomach. Moistens dryness, relieves pain, and detoxifies."
In the context of Ci Zhu Wan, it is used because it serves as the filler for the pills and also tonifies the Middle Burner.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Red, Red tip
Tongue shape: Cracked
Symptoms: Anxiety Insomnia Tinnitus Dizziness Poor memory Palpitations Night sweats Restlnessness Dream disturbed sleep Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions
Ci Zhu Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, poor memory and night sweats. Patients with Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency typically exhibit overflowing (Hong), rapid (Shu) or empty (Xu) pulses as well as a red, red tip tongue.
Also called "Kidneys and Heart not Harmonized", this pattern occurs when Kidney Yin is Deficient and cannot nourish the Heart Yin which thus becomes Deficient. It results in a flaring up of Empty-Heat in the Heart with accompanying symptoms such as mental restlessness, insomnia, dream disturbed... read more about Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Bing Peng San is 25% similar to Ci Zhu Wan
Yue Ju Wan is 20% similar to Ci Zhu Wan
Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan is 17% similar to Ci Zhu Wan
Wu Tou Tang is 17% similar to Ci Zhu Wan
Bao He Wan is 14% similar to Ci Zhu Wan
Ma Zi Ren Wan is 14% similar to Ci Zhu Wan