Blood Heart-shen disturbance

When the Heart-Yin and Heart-blood are injured, the Heart-shen is disturbed. Severe irritability and restlessness (even delirium) are the main symptoms of disturbance of Heart-shen. 

Dan Shen is bitter and slightly cold, and enters the Heart and Liver meridians. It can effectively clear heat and cool the blood, and is used as deputy when the Heart-fire disturbs the blood and causes blood stagnation. It treats warmth in the chest and restlessness due to the heat in the blood and blood stagnation. 

When the Heart-Yin and blood are injured, the Heart-shen is disturbed ... 

Second, special attention is paid to the Heart. Although the Liver is obviously involved in the attack, and Liver-Qi stagnation and wind are present, the Heart is the organ where the Shen resides and this controls all activities while patients are conscious. When patients suddenly lose consciousness, this suggests that the Heart-shen is disturbed. Herbs that particularly remove phlegm from the Heart and open the Heart orifice should be used. The substances that sedate the Heart-shen, calm the mind and regulate the Qi, blood and Yin of the Heart should also be used. 

The Liver-Yin and blood are very important in maintaining the function of the Liver. When they are strong, the person sleeps well, feels calm and satisfied, has a sense of humor and moves in a quick and harmonious manner. When the blood and Yin are deficient, the Liver-Qi stagnates and the sleep becomes restless and disturbed by dreams, the person easily feels irritation, anger and frustration, or loses relaxation and flexibility in character. Moreover, Liver is the mother organ of the Heart. Liver-Qi stagnation and up-flaring of Liver-fire can quickly influence the Heart and cause restlessness of the Heart-shen. 

Chuan Xiong is used as assistant. It can activate the blood circulation, which stagnates or has the tendency to stagnate in the condition of disturbance of the Heart-shen. It also brings balance to the formula where many downward-moving herbs are used. 

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