Calm Shen

Calm Shen is an adjusted formula from the ancient recipes “Suan Zao Ren Tang”. It is suitable for insomnia and linked irritability. Chinese medicine believes that insomnia is a problem in the Heart. The Shen (spirit) does not stay at home (Heart) and insomnia occurs, which is related to the Yin-Yang Qi and Blood disorders of Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney. Insufficiency of Yin and Blood leads to loss of Heart support and these are the main pathological changes of insomnia. Symptoms are lustreless complexion, tiredness, inability to sleep at night, palpitations and forgetfulness. Mostly due to Spleen Deficiency, failure of the Liver to store Blood, Kidney loss of Essence and Heart Blood Deficiency. Also due to excessive pressure of life and work, Liver Qi Stagnation and stagnated Qi entreating Heat, the mind gets disturbed which leads to insomnia and nightmares, upset and irritability, dry mouth. Calm Shen nourishes the Blood and calms the Shen, soothes the Liver and Qi. It is a formulation for treating insomnia due to Deficiency of Liver Blood and Liver and Qi Stagnation.

Both Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan and Calm Shen are nourishing and tranquillizing formulas, which can be used to treat insomnia and restlessness due to Yin and Blood Deficiency. Calm Shen value the use of Suan Zao Ren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) to nourish the Blood and calm the mind, with Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) and Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae) to smooth Liver Qi, so it focuses on nourishing the Liver and Blood and calming Shen. It is suitable for Liver Qi Stagnation and insomnia, caused by stress. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan nourishes the Yin of the Heart and Kidney and clears away the Heat. It focuses on insomnia, anxiety, evidence of sadness and crying, due to Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency and Heat Deficiency.

Experimental Study:

Calm Shen (2 tds) and diazepam (2 mg tds) had almost the same anxiolytic effect in patients with anxiety, weakness, irritability, and insomnia. However, Calm Shen, but not diazepam, improved psychomotor performance during the daytime. No side effects were observed during the treatment with Calm Shen.