GUI PI WAN (BP012) Ginseng & Longan Combination Complex

Indication

This formula was first recorded in the ‘Formulas to Benefit Life’ (ji sheng fang), a work in 10 volumes by Yan Yong-he, 1253 CE, which covers internal medicine, gynecology and surgery. The formula was originally used for the combined symptoms of palpitations, anxiety and forgetfulness due to the effects of prolonged worrying or excessive mental activity, which has injured both the Spleen and Heart.

This is because the Spleen is the seat of the capacity for ideation (yi), while the Heart is the seat of the psyche (shen). Thus, excessive mental activity puts a strain upon the Spleen Qi as well as the Heart Blood.

Subsequently the formula’s uses were expanded to include abnormal bleeding due to Spleen Qi deficiency (Spleen failure in controlling the Blood). In the 16th century the prescription was modified with the addition of Angelica (dang-gui) and Polygala (yuan zhi) – to complete the present day formula – and its indications were fully described, as above.

Heart-Spleen Qi-Blood deficiency is a commonly occurring dual syndrome that may arise due to inadequate care during the recovery phase of an illness, chronic blood loss, excessive worry, anxiety or mental work, dietary irregularities and overstrain. It frequently occurs in students due to the added stresses of examinations as well as in athletes due to overtraining.

The synergistic actions of the herbs are as follows:

Astragalus root (huang qi), Codonopsis root (dang shen), Atractylodes rhizome (bai zhu), Glycyrrhiza root (zhi gan cao): tonify the Spleen Qi.

Angelica root (dang-gui), Dimocarpus fruit (long yan rou): nourish the Heart Blood.

Poria cocos (fu ling), Polygala root (yuan zhi), Ziziphus seed (suan zao ren): nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit.

Atractylodes rhizome (bai zhu), Saussurea root (mu xiang): strengthen the Spleen and regulate the Qi, prevent the tonic herbs from impairing digestion.

Glycyrrhiza root (zhi gan cao), Ziziphus fruit (da zao), Zingiber rhizome (sheng jiang): harmonise the Spleen and Stomach to promote the production of Qi and Blood.

ChinaMed appriximate equivalent Restore the Spleen formula (CM168).

Signs & Symptoms:

Fatigue, muscular weakness

Poor appetite

Palpitations

Dream-disturbed sleep or insomnia

Pale complexion

Forgetfulness, poor concentration and memory

Postural dizziness

Easy bruising, ecchymoses

Timidity, fearfulness, withdrawal

Anxiety, phobias or panic attacks

Depressed mood

Low grade fever

Early menstruation with profuse pale flow

Menorrhagia

Pale tongue with a thin white coat

Thready and weak pulse

Combinations –

Anxiety, mild:

WEN DAN TANG

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura:

BU ZHONG YI QI WAN

YU PING FENG SAN

ZHUANG YANG YI JING WAN

ENERGY TONIC Formula

REHMANNIA EIGHT VITALITY Formula

DEFENCE PLUS Formula

Menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding:

BA ZHEN WAN

BU ZHONG YI QI WAN

SHI QUAN DA BU WAN

ENERGY TONIC Formula

GYNE FUNCTION 1 Formula

Mental or emotional disorders due to stress Liver Qi constraint:

JIA WEI XIAO YAO SAN

XIAO YAO SAN

TCM Syndromes: Spleen Qi deficiency, Heart Blood deficiency.

TCM Actions: Tonifies the Spleen Qi and nourishes the Heart Blood, calms the Spirit.