Yang Xin Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
養心湯 · Yǎng Xīn Tāng
A heart-nourishing formula for qi and blood deficiency with palpitations and insomnia.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Calm the Shen Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Blood Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Nourish the heart, calm the spirit, tonify qi and blood
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Tonify qi and blood, nourish the heart, calm the spirit
- Classical Source
- Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng (Wang Kentang, Ming dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A heart-nourishing formula for qi and blood deficiency with palpitations and insomnia.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected when heart qi-blood deficiency presents with palpitations and insomnia without marked yin-deficiency heat.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
人參Ren Shen2g
Ginseng Root- powerfully tonifies yuan qi
當歸Dang Gui3g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes blood
川芎Chuan Xiong3g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood and qi
酸棗仁Suan Zao Ren2g
Sour Jujube Seed- nourishes the heart and calms the spirit
柏子仁Bai Zi Ren2g
Biota Seed- nourishes the heart and calms the spirit
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
遠志Yuan Zhi2g
Polygala Root- calms the spirit and resolves phlegm
茯神Fu Shen3g
Poria with Pine Root- calms the spirit and fortifies the spleen
茯苓Fu Ling3g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen and leaches dampness
半夏Ban Xia3g
Pinellia Rhizome- transforms phlegm
五味子Wu Wei Zi2g
Schisandra Fruit- astringes and stabilises the spirit
肉桂Rou Gui2g
Cinnamon Bark- warms and guides to the heart
Classical Composition
- Astragali Radix (Huang Qi) 3g
- Poriae Pararadicis Sclerotium (Fu Shen) 3g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 3g
- Pinelliae Massa Fermentata (Ban Xia Qu) 3g
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 3g
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 3g
- Polygalae Radix (Yuan Zhi) 2g
- Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suan Zao Ren) 2g
- Cinnamomi Cortex (Rou Gui) 2g
- Platycladi Semen (Bai Zi Ren) 2g
- Schisandrae Fructus (Wu Wei Zi) 2g
- Ginseng Radix (Ren Shen) 2g
- Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata (Zhi Gan Cao) 1g
- Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) 1g
- Jujubae Fructus (Da Zao) 1g.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Tonifies qi and blood
- nourishes the heart
- and calms the spirit.
Indications
- Heart blood deficiency with unsettled spirit.
- Palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, fatigue, pale tongue, thin weak pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Heart qi and blood are insufficient, so the heart spirit is not nourished.
- Phlegm may further disturb the heart.
Treatment strategy
- Tonify qi and blood, nourish the heart, calm the spirit.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yang Xin Tang, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan and Gui Pi Tang all calm the heart. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan nourishes yin and clears heat. Gui Pi Tang tonifies spleen qi and heart blood. Yang Xin Tang combines qi-blood tonification with warming and phlegm-resolving action.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for palpitations and insomnia from heart qi-blood deficiency.
- Distinct from Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan which addresses yin deficiency heat.
Tongue & pulseKey points: pale tongue, fatigue, no marked heat.
Safety notes: Warming formula; not appropriate for marked yin-deficiency heat or excess heart fire.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yang Xin Tang? Are Gui Pi Tang and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan the same?
Yang Xin Tang (养心汤) is a classic spirit-calming formula from Renzhai Zhizhi Fanglun, centered on tonifying qi and blood, nourishing the Heart and calming the spirit for patterns of dual qi and blood deficiency with unrest of the Heart spirit. Gui Pi Tang leans to tonifying qi, strengthening the Spleen, nourishing blood and calming the spirit, emphasizing Spleen-Heart. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan nourishes yin and blood, supplements the Heart and calms the spirit, leaning to yin deficiency with fire. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Yang Xin Tang. Use caution in excess heat, phlegm-heat, and unresolved exterior patterns.
What is the composition and traditional use of Yang Xin Tang?
Classic composition: Zhi Huang Qi, Bai Fu Ling, Fu Shen, Ban Xia, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong each half liang (about 15 g); Yuan Zhi (ginger-prepared), Rou Gui, Bai Zi Ren, Suan Zao Ren, Wu Wei Zi, Ren Shen each one fen (about 8 g); Zhi Gan Cao four qian (about 12 g). Decocted with fresh ginger and Chinese date. It acts to tonify qi and blood, nourish the Heart and calm the spirit. It is used for dual qi and blood deficiency with unrest of the Heart spirit: clouded thinking, palpitations with easy fright, insomnia and forgetfulness, pale tongue and thin pulse. Ren Shen and Huang Qi tonify qi; Dang Gui nourishes blood; Fu Ling, Fu Shen, Suan Zao Ren, Bai Zi Ren, Yuan Zhi and Wu Wei Zi calm the spirit; Ban Xia harmonizes the center; Rou Gui guides fire back to its source; Chuan Xiong regulates blood.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Gui Pi Tang replace it?
Huang Qi and Gan Cao are usually honey-fried; Yuan Zhi is ginger-prepared to reduce dryness; Suan Zao Ren is stir-fried until fragrant. Gui Pi Tang leans to strengthening the Spleen; it cannot replace nourishing the Heart and calming the spirit by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.