Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān (天王补心丹, Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Calm shen category, with Shēng Dì Huáng as chief herb. It contains Shēng Dì Huáng, Rén Shēn, Xuán Shēn, Dān Shēn, Fú Líng, Yuǎn Zhì, Jié Gěng, Dāng Guī, Wǔ Wèi Zǐ, Tiān Dōng, Mài Dōng, Bǎi Zǐ Rén and Suān Zǎo Rén. Actions: nourishes Yin and Blood; tonifies Heart; calms Shen; clears deficiency Heat.
| Pinyin | Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 天王补心丹 |
| English | Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Chief | Shēng Dì Huáng |
| Tongue | Red, little coat |
| Pulse | Thin, rapid |
| Cautions | Traditionally coated with cinnabar (Zhū Shā); the coating is omitted here because cinnabar contains mercury. Caution with loose stools or poor appetite (rich, cold Yin tonics). |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Shēng Dì Huáng | 120g |
| Rén Shēn | 15g |
| Xuán Shēn | 15g |
| Dān Shēn | 15g |
| Fú Líng | 15g |
| Yuǎn Zhì | 15g |
| Jié Gěng | 15g |
| Dāng Guī | 30g |
| Wǔ Wèi Zǐ | 30g |
| Tiān Dōng | 30g |
| Mài Dōng | 30g |
| Bǎi Zǐ Rén | 30g |
| Suān Zǎo Rén | 30g |
Actions
Nourishes Yin and Blood; tonifies Heart; calms Shen; clears deficiency Heat
Indications
Heart and Kidney Yin and Blood deficiency: insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness, anxiety, afternoon fever, mouth sores
Test yourself
What herbs are in Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān?
Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān contains Shēng Dì Huáng 120g, Rén Shēn 15g, Xuán Shēn 15g, Dān Shēn 15g, Fú Líng 15g, Yuǎn Zhì 15g, Jié Gěng 15g, Dāng Guī 30g, Wǔ Wèi Zǐ 30g, Tiān Dōng 30g, Mài Dōng 30g, Bǎi Zǐ Rén 30g and Suān Zǎo Rén 30g.
What is Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān used for?
Heart and Kidney Yin and Blood deficiency: insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness, anxiety, afternoon fever, mouth sores.
What are the actions of Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān?
Nourishes Yin and Blood; tonifies Heart; calms Shen; clears deficiency Heat.
What tongue and pulse go with Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān?
Tongue: Red, little coat. Pulse: Thin, rapid.
Use Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān in a case
Shen Study cases ask you to name the pattern, then choose the formula and points, and explain why.
Practise a TCM caseShen Study is a study tool. Doses are as taught in standard formula texts; they are not prescribing advice.