Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Star天王补心丹 (Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart)
Source: She Sheng Zong Miao (Ming, 1578)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart) is the primary formula for Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency with internal heat. When overwork, chronic illness, or constitutional deficiency depletes Heart and Kidney Yin, virtual fire disturbs the shen leading to insomnia, palpitations, poor memory, and anxiety. The formula comprehensively nourishes Yin, clears heat, and calms the spirit.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheng Di Huang | 12g | 12.24% | Jun (Chief) | Enriches Kidney yin and cools blood to anchor the spirit |
| Xuan Shen | 6g | 6.12% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes yin and drains deficiency fire |
| Tian Men Dong | 9g | 9.18% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes yin and clears heat from the Heart and Lung |
| Mai Men Dong | 9g | 9.18% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes yin and clears the Heart |
| Suan Zao Ren | 9g | 9.18% | Zuo (Assistant) | Nourishes the Heart and calms the spirit |
| Bai Zi Ren | 9g | 9.18% | Zuo (Assistant) | Nourishes the Heart and calms the spirit |
| Yuan Zhi | 6g | 6.12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Facilitates the Heart-Kidney axis and quiets the spirit |
| Dang Gui | 9g | 9.18% | Zuo (Assistant) | Nourishes the blood to support the Heart |
| Dan Shen | 6g | 6.12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Cools and invigorates blood, calms the spirit |
| Ren Shen | 6g | 6.12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Tonifies qi to generate blood and stabilize the spirit |
| Fu Ling | 6g | 6.12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Strengthens the Spleen and quiets the Heart |
| Wu Wei Zi | 6g | 6.12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Astringes and prevents the leakage of Heart qi |
| Jie Geng | 5g | 5.1% | Shi (Envoy) | Carries the action of the other herbs upward to the Heart |
Total weight: 108g
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 slightly cool (-0.46)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 31%, cool 12%, neutral 30%, warm 28%.
Pairs warm and cool. 28% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 43% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Tian Men Dong 9g (cold, 9% of the grams), Mai Men Dong 9g (cold, 9% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 10%
- sweet 45%
- sour 8%
- bitter 32%
- salty 2%
- bland 3%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 80%
- Kidney 61%
- Lung 54%
- Liver 37%
- Spleen 31%
- Stomach 15%
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
Available as honey pills. As decoction: simmer in water 30 minutes and take in 2 doses/day.
Dosage
Pills: 9g twice daily with warm water. Decoction: 1 dose/day. Long-term use appropriate for chronic deficiency.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
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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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