Zhen Zhu

Dream-disturbed sleep and insomnia use Long Gu (Mastodi fossilium ossis), Zhen Zhu Mu (Concha margaritifera usta) and Ci Shi... 

Zhen Zhu is sweet, salty and cold. Its function of sedating the Heart-shen is more moderate than that of Ci Shi. Its principal focus is on disorders of the Heart as it enters the Heart and Liver meridians directly. As well as sedating the Heart-shen, its sweet nature can ease the tension of conflict, calm the mind and slow down the pathological process of anxiety. It is also effective in clearing fire of the Heart and Liver, and treats restlessness, palpitations, irritability and difficulty falling asleep. In this condition, patients may have a rapid, active and restless pulse, particularly in the first position on the left side. 

Zhen Zhu Mu has a similar function to Zhen Zhu, is also cold and salty, and enters the Heart and Liver meridians. Its function of sedating the Heart-shen and calming the mind is weaker than that of Zhen Zhu, but it is stronger in descending the Liver-Yang. It is more suitable for use in the condition where the Liver-Yang ascends and the Heart is disturbed. This manifests as dizziness, headache, tinnitus, palpitations, irritability and insomnia. 

Ling Yang Jiao (Antelopis covnu) /Shan Yang Jiao (Naemorhedis cornu), Shi Jue Ming (Haliotidis concha) and Zhen Zhu Mu (Concha margaritifera usta)... 

Since Ling Yang Jiao is banned, Shan Yang Jiao can be used as a substitute. It has a weaker action compared with Ling Yang Jiao. Another substitute is the combination of Shi Jue Ming, which mainly clears the heat from the Liver, and Zhen Zhu Mu, which clears the heat from the Heart. 

Zhen Zhu Mu (Concha margaritifera usta), Long Chi (Mastodi fossilia dentis), Ye Jiao Teng (Polygoni multiflori caulis) and Fu Shen (Poriae cocos pararadicisj... 

Zhen Zhu Mu and Long Chi are mineral substances. They are cold in nature and enter the Heart and Liver meridians. They can intensively sedate the Heart-shen and calm the mind. They are especially used in the formula to treat restlessness and insomnia caused by excess heat in the Heart and Liver. 

Ye Jiao Teng and Fu Shen have functions that are similar to those of Zhen Zhu Mu and Long Chi, but are gentler. They are often used in a less severe condition of internal wind to calm the mind and improve sleep. In addition, they can open the meridians and relax the tendons, and are particularly useful in treating spasms and twitching of extremities. 

For chronic hepatitis with insomnia, excessive dreams, a bitter taste in the mouth, a red tongue with scant coating, and a wiry, thready, rapid pulse, add Herba Ecliptae Prostratae (Han Lian Cao), Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nu Zhen Zi), Concha Margaritiferae (Zhen Zhu Mu), and Radix Et Rhizoma Oryzae Glutinosae (Nuo Dao Gen). 

---