Zhi Mu and Huang Bai clear deficiency heat and nourish the essence by directing the ascending ministerial fire back to its lower source. Xian Mao and Xian Ling Pi nourish the liver and kidney, tonify the yang, and nourish the blood and essence. Dang Gui nourishes and activates the blood. The ingredients in Er Zhi Wan consist of Han Lian Cao and Nu Zhen Zi, both of which strongly nourish the blood and yin. Han Lian Cao also clears heat and cools the blood. Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is the main formula for treating visceral agitation. Gan Cao (toasted) tonifies the qi of the spleen and heart, while Da Zao strengthens the spleen and nourishes the blood of the heart. These two ingredients together nourish and calm the spirit of the heart. Fu Xiao Mai strengthens the heart and calms the spirit, astringents the yin, and stops abnormal sweating. To this base were added Mu Li and Long Gu to astringe the yin and stop sweating, to ground the spirit and calm the mind, to control the yang and to cause the Qi to flow counter-currently. He Huan Pi and Ye Jiao Teng calm the spirit by nourishing the heart and resolving depression. In addition to He Huan Pi, it activates the blood. Chuan Lian Zi regulates the liver and rectifies the Qi without consuming the yin that Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) would. Ren Shen and Fu Ling strengthen the spleen, strengthen the heart and calm the spirit. Shan Yao tonifies the Qi of the spleen and kidney without causing the dryness that Bai Zhu would cause. When these ingredients are used together, they nourish liver blood, nourish kidney yin and tonify kidney yang, strengthen the spleen and tonify Qi, nourish the heart and calm the spirit, harmonize and moisten the liver and control yang.
