Chinese: 柏子养心汤
Pinyin: Bai Zi Yǎng Xīn Tāng
Other names: Arborvitae Seed Pill to Nourish the Heart, Biota Seeds Pill to Nourish the Heart
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: AnginaArrhythmiaMyocarditis and twelve other conditions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
- Nourish the Heart Blood
Source date: 16th century
Source book: Ye Tian Shi Gynecology
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.
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren) and Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 16th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Heart Qi and 2) calms the Mind and clear anxiety .
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Blood Deficiency or Heart Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as angina, endocarditis or arrhythmia for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the twelve ingredients in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan helps treat.
The twelve ingredients in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Bai Zi Ren is a king ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLarge intestine
In general Bai Zi Ren's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit. Moistens the Intestines and relieves constipation."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it calm the Mind.
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)
In general Huang Qi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it tonifies overall Qi.
Mai Dong is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Mai Dong enriches the Yin and clear Empty Heat due to Yin Deficiency. It is also very effective in calming the Mind.
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it supports the Heart Qi.
Yuan Zhi is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Chinese Senega Roots (Yuan Zhi)
In general Yuan Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit. Expels Phlegm from the Heart orifices. Expels Phlegm from the Lungs. Diminishes abscesses."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it calm the Mind.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Blood to nourish the Heart without causing Stagnation.
Suan Zao Ren is an assistant ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Jujube Seeds (Suan Zao Ren)
In general Suan Zao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Heart Yin and calms the spirit. Contains Fluid leakage."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it prevents the leakage of Heart Qi and Yin Fluids.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
8. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it harmonizes the ingredients of the formula.
9. Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen)
Part used: The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
In general Fu Shen's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it Calms the Mind and promote urination.
10. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Chuan Xiong regulates and moves the Blood and relieves Wind-Cold and pain. It also circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner and relieves headaches.
11. Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruits
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLung
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Wu Wei Zi tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence as well as tonifies the Heart and calms the Mind. It also retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Finally, it prevents the leakage of Heart Qi and Yin Fluids.
12. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
In the context of Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, it is used because it warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner.
Conditions and patterns for which Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Angina Endocarditis Arrhythmia Essential hypertension Myocardial infarction Pericarditis Myocarditis Rheumatic heart disease Mitral stenosis Tricuspid valve disease Heart failure Palpitations Excessive dreams Chest congestion Chest distention
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan treats angina" for instance. Rather, Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind angina.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Thin
Symptoms: Anxiety Fatigue Insomnia Dizziness Pale face Pale lips Poor memory Tearfulness Palpitations Restlessness Easily scared Loss of libido Excessive dreams Feeling of guilt Dream disturbed sleep
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as easily scared, excessive dreams, palpitations and insomnia. Patients with Heart Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale thin and slightly dry tongue .
This pattern is manifested by a pale face, pale lips and a pale tongue due to lack of Blood supply. Heart Blood Deficiency may eventually cause Heart Yin Deficiency because Blood is a Yin element. Dizziness is also a symptom because not sufficient Blood is able to nourish the Brain.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Symptoms: Fatigue Pale face Palpitations Spontaneous sweating Shortness of breath on exertion
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, pale face and spontaneous sweating. Patients with Heart Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses.
Heart Qi Deficiency includes general signs of Qi deficiency (such as shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, pale face and fatigue) with the addition of palpitations, which is the characteristic symptom of Heart Qi Deficiency.
"Palpitations" here indicates a subjective feeling of the patient... read more about Heart Qi Deficiency
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