Yangxue Anshen Tablets and Yangxue Qingnao Granules for Treating Emotional Disturbance
Emotional disturbance (qingzhi shitiao) is a common occurrence in daily life, usually caused by physical discomfort, overwork, plus some unhappy event. If neglected and allowed to drag on, it easily develops into anxiety disorder or depression. This article introduces two commonly used Chinese patent medicines for emotional disturbance: Yangxue Anshen Tablets and Yangxue Qingnao Granules.
Yangxue Anshen Pian (Nourish Blood and Calm the Spirit Tablets) is composed of seven herbs: Shudihuang (prepared rehmannia), Shengdihuang (raw rehmannia), Jixueteng (spatholobus), Hehuanpi (albizia bark), Shouwuteng (polygonum vine), Mohanlian (eclipta), and Xianhecao (agrimony). Many patent-medicine factories produce it. The Yangxue Anshen Tangjiang (syrup) and Yangxue Anshen Keli (granules) on the market are made from the same formula and have identical ingredients and effects.
Yangxue Anshen Pian nourishes yin and blood, calms the heart and settles the spirit. It is indicated for the yin-deficiency and blood-insufficiency pattern: dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, and poor memory. Such patients tend by nature to be sensitive and fragile, with weak constitutions, easily upset by sudden life events, becoming excessively frightened and anxious and suffering insomnia.
Hehuanpi combined with Shouwuteng (also called Jiaoteng) has an excellent spirit-calming and sleep-promoting effect. Shudihuang, Shengdihuang, and Mohanlian are all yin-nourishing herbs; Mohanlian also calms the spirit and aids sleep. Xianhecao, also called Tuoli Cao ("fatigue-relieving herb"), is commonly used for fatigue; Jixueteng activates and tonifies blood. Thus the formula simultaneously relieves insomnia due to emotional disturbance and excessive anxiety, and lifts the patient's spirit and energy. It has a mild laxative effect, making it especially suitable for anxious patients with constipation.
Yangxue Qingnao Keli (Nourish Blood and Clear the Brain Granules) is composed of 11 herbs: Danggui (angelica), Chuanxiong (cnidium), Baishao (white peony), Shudi (prepared rehmannia), Gouteng (uncaria), Jixueteng (spatholobus), Xiakucao (selfheal), Juemingzi (cassia seed), Zhenzhumu (nacre), Yanhusuo (corydalis), and Xixin (asarum). It is produced by several manufacturers. According to TCM theory, it nourishes blood and pacifies the liver, activates blood and unblocks collaterals. It is indicated for headache, dizziness and blurred vision, irritability and anger, and insomnia with many dreams, caused by blood deficiency and liver yang hyperactivity. It has a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect, so hypotensive patients should use it cautiously. The Xixin in the formula is hepatotoxic and should not be used long-term; stop as soon as symptoms improve, and it is contraindicated in hepatic or renal insufficiency. Yangxue Qingnao Jiaonang (capsules) on the market are made from the same formula with the same effects.
Yangxue Qingnao Keli is derived by adding herbs to the famous blood-tonifying Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction: Shudi, Chuanxiong, Danggui, Baishao). Siwu Tang nourishes and invigorates blood; adding Jixueteng enhances this and improves circulation. Gouteng, Xiakucao, Juemingzi, and Zhenzhumu all lower blood pressure — i.e., treat liver yang hyperactivity in TCM. Yanhusuo activates blood and stops pain; Xixin searches out wind, expels phlegm, and stops pain.
Yangxue Qingnao Keli is therefore specifically suited to patients with elevated blood pressure, irritability, headache, and insomnia. Many psychiatric patients use it; it has some effect on symptoms of anxiety, panic, mania, or hypomania. After taking it, patients experience lower blood pressure, improved sleep quality, reduced dizziness and headache, and quicker improvement in mood. It is also suitable for post-cerebral-infarction patients presenting with irritability, headache, and insomnia.