Yanling Yishou Dan: A Qing Palace Imperial Longevity Formula

Yanling Yishou Dan (Life-Extending and Longevity-Promoting Pellets) comes from Cixi Guangxu Yifang Xuanyi (Selected Discussions on the Medical Prescriptions of Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu). Its composition is: Fushen (Poriae cum Pini Radis), 15 g; Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), 9 g; Hang Baishao (white Paeonia lactiflora, fried), 12 g; Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), 15 g; Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix, fried in earth to a scorched color), 12 g; Huangqi (Astragali Radix, honey-fried to a scorched color), 9 g; Ye Baizhu (wild Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, fried to a scorched color), 12 g; Fuling (Poria), 15 g; Jupi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), 12 g; Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma, processed), 12 g; Guangmuxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), 9 g; Guangsharen (Amomi Fructus), 9 g; Longyanrou (Longan Arillus), 9 g; Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), 12 g; Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), 9 g; Zhigancao (honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix), 6 g.

Grind all the above herbs together into an extremely fine powder; refine with honey to form pills the size of mung beans, coating them with cinnabar. Take 7.5 g each time with plain warm water, three times daily.

This formula boosts qi and fortifies the spleen, nourishes blood and nourishes the heart. It is indicated for excessive rumination that has injured the heart and spleen: poor appetite and bodily fatigue, irregular bowel movements, forgetfulness and palpitations, fright palpitations and scanty sleep.

This formula was derived with modifications from Guipi Wan (Spleen-Return Pills). It is a comprehensive conditioning formula aimed at people who over-ruminate and who have liver constraint and qi stagnation. In the formula, Dangshen, Huangqi, Baizhu, Zhigancao, and Fuling fortify the spleen and boost qi; Danggui, Baishao, and Longyanrou nourish yin and blood; Fushen and Yuanzhi nourish the heart and calm the spirit; Suanzaoren improves sleep; Shichangpu awakens the brain and raises alertness; Jupi, Xiangfu, Muxiang, and Sharen move qi and disperse stagnation. Used together, they soothe the liver and move qi, fortify the spleen and calm the spirit.

This formula suits people under heavy stress who are weak, anxious, and insomnia-ridden. It not only improves brain function, countering anxiety and depression, but also enhances immunity. Guangxu and Cixi held special status and were under greater stress than ordinary people; the palace physicians used this formula to regulate them, and it was indeed well matched. Modern urban white-collar workers also face heavy work stress and low levels of physical activity; many have symptoms such as liver constraint and qi stagnation, anxiety and insomnia, and fatigue, and may consider trying this formula.

There is no ready-made patent medicine for this formula; patients may prepare the pills themselves according to the recipe. Every herb in this formula is very safe (prescriptions from palace physicians were all very safe), and long-term use should not produce serious side effects.