Revisiting the Heart-Nourishing Compound on August 6, 1995

Revisiting the Heart-Nourishing Compound on August 6, 1995

Dang Shen 10g, Shu Di Huang 12g, Dang Gui 10g, Chuan Lian Zi 15g, Long Yan Rou 10g, Chang Pu 10g, Sheng Long Gu and Mu Li each 15g, Chao Suan Zao Ren 20g, Shan Zha 10g, Mai Ya 10g. This formula, named the Heart-Nourishing Compound, first appeared in the Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Issue 11, 1987). Its distinguishing feature is the absence of blood-tonifying herbs. Since the heart governs blood circulation and blood, omitting blood-tonifying herbs while still nourishing the heart is truly a major innovation. Nowadays, most prescriptions for angina pectoris, such as Guan II and Fu Dan..., are essentially comprehensive formulations aimed at promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. In contrast, this formula uses Chuan Lian Zi 15g as the primary herb, with Dang Shen, Shu Di Huang, and Dang Gui serving as supplementary qi-, blood-, and yin-tonifying agents. Chang Pu, Suan Zao Ren, Sheng Long Gu, and Sheng Mu Li help calm the mind and dispel fright, while Shan Zha and Sheng Mai Ya aid digestion and strengthen the stomach—making this a novel approach to treatment.