12 herbs in the Shen Study library belong to the Calm shen category: Suān Zǎo Rén, Hé Huān Pí, Lóng Gǔ, Mǔ Lì, Zhū Shā, Yuǎn Zhì, Bǎi Zǐ Rén, Cí Shí, Zhēn Zhū, Yè Jiāo Téng, Fú Shén and Lóng Chǐ.
Calm shen herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
| Herb | Nature | Main action |
|---|---|---|
| Suān Zǎo Rén Sour jujube seed | Neutral | Nourishes Heart and Liver Blood, calms Shen |
| Hé Huān Pí Silk tree bark | Neutral | Calms Shen, relieves constraint and depression |
| Lóng Gǔ Dragon bone (fossil) | Neutral | Calms Shen, anchors Yang |
| Mǔ Lì Oyster shell | Cool | Calms Liver, anchors Yang, calms Shen |
| Zhū Shā Cinnabar (mineral) | Cool | Calms Shen strongly, clears Heart Heat |
| Yuǎn Zhì Thinleaf milkwort root | Warm | Calms Shen, opens orifices — Heart-Kidney non-communication |
| Bǎi Zǐ Rén Arbor vitae seed | Neutral | Nourishes Heart Yin, calms Shen |
| Cí Shí Magnetite (lodestone) | Cold | Anchors Yang, calms Shen |
| Zhēn Zhū Pearl | Cold | Calms Shen, settles fright |
| Yè Jiāo Téng Fo-ti stem | Neutral | Nourishes Blood, calms Shen |
| Fú Shén Poria with pine root | Neutral | Calms Shen and quiets the Heart |
| Lóng Chǐ Dragon teeth (fossil) | Cool | Sedates and calms Shen; stronger than Lóng Gǔ for fright |
Other herb categories
- Release exterior (Cold)
- Release exterior (Heat)
- Clear heat
- Drain downward
- Warm interior
- Regulate qi
- Invigorate blood
- Resolve phlegm
- Tonify qi
- Tonify blood
- Tonify yin
- Tonify yang
- Stabilise & bind
- Expel wind-damp
- Aromatic, transform damp
- Drain damp
- Stop bleeding
- Relieve food stagnation
- Expel parasites
- Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind
- Open orifices
- Topical use
Learn the Calm shen herbs
Shen Study quizzes you on each herb and shows the pattern its category shares, so you memorise less.
Try the 5-question herb quiz