Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán (朱砂安神丸, Cinnabar Pill to Calm the Spirit) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Calm shen category, with Zhū Shā as chief herb. It contains Zhū Shā, Huáng Lián, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Shēng Dì Huáng and Dāng Guī. Actions: sedates Heart; clears Heart Fire; nourishes Blood; calms Shen.
| Pinyin | Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán (Zhu Sha An Shen Wan) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 朱砂安神丸 |
| English | Cinnabar Pill to Calm the Spirit |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Chief | Zhū Shā |
| Tongue | Red tip, little coat |
| Pulse | Thin, rapid |
| Cautions | Contains cinnabar (Zhū Shā, mercury sulfide); not used internally in modern practice and restricted or prohibited in many countries. Listed for historical study only. |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Zhū Shā | 15g |
| Huáng Lián | 18g |
| Zhì Gān Cǎo | 16.5g |
| Shēng Dì Huáng | 7.5g |
| Dāng Guī | 7.5g |
Actions
Sedates Heart; clears Heart Fire; nourishes Blood; calms Shen
Indications
Heart Fire with Blood deficiency: insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, startling easily, mental restlessness
Formulas with similar ingredients
- Qīng Wèi Sǎn shares Huáng Lián, Shēng Dì Huáng and Dāng Guī. Only Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán has Zhū Shā and Zhì Gān Cǎo; only Qīng Wèi Sǎn has Mǔ Dān Pí and Shēng Má.
Test yourself
What herbs are in Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán?
Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán contains Zhū Shā 15g, Huáng Lián 18g, Zhì Gān Cǎo 16.5g, Shēng Dì Huáng 7.5g and Dāng Guī 7.5g.
What is Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán used for?
Heart Fire with Blood deficiency: insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, startling easily, mental restlessness.
What are the actions of Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán?
Sedates Heart; clears Heart Fire; nourishes Blood; calms Shen.
What tongue and pulse go with Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán?
Tongue: Red tip, little coat. Pulse: Thin, rapid.
Use Zhū Shā Ān Shén Wán 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.