When the head feels heavy and the mind is restless

A heavy head, a feeling of being clogged up, nervousness that rises for no clear reason, restless sleep, difficulty settling down… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Phlegm veiling the orifices of the Heart, the subtle pathways through which the Shen communicates with the outside world. According to tradition, Phlegm arises from a Spleen that transforms the Fluids poorly; it rises and clouds the Shen, and the Heart and Kidney no longer communicate as well.

Yuan Zhi Chang Pu San is a three-ingredient formula from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. It takes three of the four ingredients of Ding Zhi Wan (定志丸), a formula by Sun Simiao (孙思邈) recorded under the Tang, around 652, in the Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (《备急千金要方》): polygala, acorus and poria, without the ginseng. Its name simply refers to its two key herbs, polygala (Yuan Zhi) and acorus (Chang Pu).

Clearing the way for the Shen

Polygala and acorus form one of the most famous pairings in the pharmacopoeia for opening the orifices of the Heart and dissolving the Phlegm that clogs them. Both are pungent and warm. Acorus, being aromatic, cuts through the turbidity; polygala, being bitter, sends Phlegm down and calms restlessness. Poria takes care of the source: it supports the Spleen, where Phlegm is born.

Calms the Shen: Polygala soothes the restlessness of the Shen; poria, sweet and neutral, calms the Heart.

Helps transform Phlegm: Acorus transforms Dampness with its fragrance and clears the orifices; poria helps Dampness flow away before it turns into Phlegm.

Harmonises the Heart and Kidney: According to tradition, polygala raises the Kidney Qi up to the Heart, while poria guides the Heart Qi down towards the Kidney. This is the communication between Heart and Kidney (心肾相交), which tradition associates with a settled Shen.