Ci Zhu Wan
Star磁朱丸 (Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill)
Source: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang — Sun Si-Miao (Tang, 650)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ci Zhu Wan (Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill), from the Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousands of Golden Prescriptions for Emergencies) by Sun Si-Miao.
Actions: Tranquilizes the mind and calms the shen (spirit); Subdues hyperactive yang and brightens vision.
Presentation: Heart and Kidney disharmony: palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, deafness, tinnitus, and blurred vision.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated without signs of Heart fire and Kidney and Liver yin deficiencies
- Use with caution in Spleen and Stomach deficiency; minerals are harsh on digestion
- Contains Zhu Sha: contraindicated in pregnancy and in pediatric or geriatric patients
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 714.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ci Shi
as printed: Ci Shi (Magnetitum) 60g
|
60g | 28.57% | Jun (Chief) | subdues hyperactive yang and benefits Kidney yin |
|
Zhu Sha
as printed: Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris) 30g
|
30g | 14.29% | Chen (Deputy) | calms the shen and anchors zhi |
|
Shen Qu
as printed: Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata) 120g
|
120g | 57.14% | Zuo (Assistant) | protects the stomach from the minerals; aids digestion to replenish Kidney jing |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Two heavy minerals that together anchor the spirit and draw Heart fire down to the Kidney, calming palpitations and improving vision and hearing.
Palpitations, insomnia and tinnitus from Heart-Kidney disharmony (with Shen Qu to protect the stomach). Zhu Sha contains mercury; never heat it; short-term use only.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net neutral (-0.14)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 29%, cool 14%, warm 57%.
Pairs warm and cool. 57% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 43% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 43%
- sweet 43%
- salty 14%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 57%
- Spleen 57%
- Heart 43%
- Kidney 29%
- Liver 29%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Source: powder, form honey pills of Wu Tong Zi size (~5 mm), take 3 pills three times daily. Today: honey pills, 6g per dose twice daily with water.
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Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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