Yanling Yishou Dan: A Late-Qing Imperial Prescription

Yanling Yishou Dan (Life-Extending Longevity Pellet) comes from the Cixi Guangxu Yifang Xuanyi (Selected Comments on the Medical Prescriptions of Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu). Its composition is: Fushen (Poria with hostwood) 5 qian (15 g); Yuanzhi (Polygala Root) 3 qian (9 g); Hang Baishao (White Peony, Hangzhou) 4 qian (12 g, fried); Danggui (Angelica Root) 5 qian (15 g); Dangshen (Codonopsis) 4 qian (12 g, earth-fried to brown); Huangqi (Astragalus) 3 qian (9 g, honey-fried to scorched); Ye Baizhu (Wild Atractylodes) 4 qian (12 g, fried to scorched); Fulin (Poria) 5 qian (15 g); Jupi (Tangerine Peel) 4 qian (12 g); Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) 4 qian (12 g, processed); Guangmuxiang (Saussurea Root) 3 qian (9 g); Guangsharen (Amomum Fruit) 3 qian (9 g); Longyanrou (Longan Aril) 3 qian (9 g); Suanzaoren (Sour Jujube Seed) 4 qian (12 g); Shichangpu (Acorus Rhizome) 3 qian (9 g); Gancao (Licorice) 2 qian (6 g, honey-fried).

Preparation: grind the above into an extremely fine powder, and with refined honey make pellets the size of a mung bean, coating them with cinnabar. Take 2 qian 5 fen (7.5 g) each time, washed down with plain water, three times a day. The formula boosts qi and fortifies the spleen, nourishes blood and heart-minds. It is indicated for excessive thinking that injures the heart and spleen, poor appetite and bodily fatigue, irregular stools, forgetfulness, severe palpitations, fright-palpitations and scanty sleep.

This formula is a modification of Guipi Tang (Spleen-Restocking Decoction), a formula for over-thinking that injures the spleen with both qi and blood deficiency. It basically follows Guipi Tang, adding Baishao, Jupi, Xiangfu, Sharen and Shichangpu. Among them, Baishao softens the liver and stops pain; Jupi resolves phlegm and scatters nodulation, moves qi and dispels stagnation; Xiangfu soothes the liver and resolves stagnation, moves qi and broadens the middle, and also regulates menstruation and stops pain; Sharen transforms dampness and opens the stomach; Shichangpu opens the orifices and expels phlegm, awakens the spirit and boosts intelligence, and transforms dampness to open the stomach.

Building on Guipi Tang, the formula adds many herbs that move qi and broaden the middle, soothe the liver and resolve stagnation, transform dampness and open the stomach, and awaken the spirit and boost intelligence. So it is actually used mainly for patients who are gloomy and withdrawn, cannot eat or drink, sleep poorly, and feel spiritless and fatigued—i.e., today's depression or anxiety, or depressive and anxious mood caused by other diseases. When the patient's sleep improves and mood lifts, quality of life naturally improves; so calling it "Life-Extending Longevity Pellet" is no exaggeration.

At present no patent-medicine manufacturer produces this formula, and I have none to sell; if patients wish to use it, they can commission a pharmacy to process the pills according to the prescription.