Category: Psyche, nerves, insomnia, metabolism, heart and blood vessels, oncology, heart system, pain relief

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• relieves blockages in the area of the heart vessels
• moves blood and attacks blood stasis
• opens the channels and collaterals, stops pain
• clears heat arising from stagnation
• calms the Shen spirit

Description:

Fu Fang Dan Shen Pian is a young patent formula, recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia in 2015, yet it immediately gained great popularity for its significant effects in the field of heart and vascular diseases. In China, it is clinically used to treat coronary arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, hyperlipidaemia and Alzheimer's disease. It contains only three herbs: Sage as Jun – the Emperor, Notoginseng as Chen – the Minister, and Borneol as Zuo and Shi (the Assistant and the Envoy). (In TCM, herbal preparations are structured according to the "Jun-Chen-Zuo-Shi" rule to correctly determine their hierarchy and dosages, thereby synergising and strengthening therapeutic effects while minimising side effects). A number of studies have shown that Fu Fang Dan Shen Pian has many beneficial functions, including pain relief, promotion of blood circulation, improvement of reduced blood flow, reduction of blood lipids, protection of blood vessels and the myocardium, and improvement of heart function (and one of them also precisely scientifically specifies the mechanism of the formula's action on pain relief, published in 2019 in the journal Nature). Recently, it has also been confirmed that the herbs in this formula positively influence other diseases, such as cancer and osteoporosis.

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, the formula addresses stagnation in the chest caused by "blood stasis", which prevents the movement of vital substances (Qi and blood) in the chest. Fu Fang Dan Shen Pian thus optimises the flow of blood (and not only) in the area of the heart and chest. The Emperor herb, Sage, also cools the heat arising from stagnation (aided by Borneol), thereby calming the Shen spirit, which resides in the heart. Further calming is aided by its ability to nourish heart blood. In cooperation with Notoginseng and Borneol, it restores the flow of blood in the vessels and collaterals (the network of capillaries), supports blood circulation and stops unpleasant pain arising from stagnations and blockages.

Indications:

• chest pain (often radiating to the left upper limb)
• pressure and unpleasant sensations in the chest
• heart palpitations
• bluish lips and nails
• cold hands
• shortness of breath
• inability to lie down
• restlessness, irritability
• insomnia
• headaches
• elevated cholesterol or TAG in the blood

Modern use:

• coronary arteriosclerosis
• angina pectoris
• hyperlipidaemia
• Alzheimer's disease
• neuropathic pain
• cancer pain
• osteoarthritis pain
• migraines

Tongue:

• purplish or violet (stagnation and the heat arising from it)

Pulse: 

• according to the underlying cause
• in case of pain: Jin
• Shi (wiry, full)

Contraindications:

• use with caution in patients taking blood-thinning medication (e.g. Warfarin, etc.)
• the formula has anticoagulant (anti-clotting) effects

Notes:

The formula can be used to intensify the analgesic effect of other formulas as well, especially in the area of internal organs (see the list of formulas acting on pain), precisely thanks to the aromatic nature of Borneol, which can disperse pathogenic factors and stagnation especially in the chest and abdomen, but reaches everywhere in the body, and which, together with Sage and Notoginseng (via action on the vascular bed), very effectively opens the channels and collaterals.

Composition of the formula: