Celestial Emperor’s Blend, based on Emperor of Heaven’s Special Pill to Tonify the Heart (Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan), is a classical formula to calm the Spirit (Shen) with a focus on nourishing Heart Blood and Yin. Heart Yin deficiency is often caused by, or occurs with Kidney Yin deficiency. Normally, the water of Kidney Yin rises to nourish and cool the Heart. When Kidney Yin is insufficient, the Heart’s Fire flares out of control, giving rise to deficiency Heat. This formula addresses a pattern of mixed excess and deficiency, focusing on enriching the Yin, nourishing the Blood, calming the Spirit, and clearing Heat. With its rich Yin nourishing actions, Celestial Emperor’s Blend is often described as a general tonic for aging, as the passage of years strongly taxes the Kidney Yin, drying the Yin and fluid aspects of the body. The Heart is the home of mental activity and consciousness, and the state of the Heart and Blood affects mental activity, as well as the emotions. A person whose system “doesn’t turn off,” who runs on “nervous energy” or engages in excessive thinking or ruminating can also benefit from taking this formula. Since the nature of this pattern is deficiency Heat, occasional night sweats, dry mouth, flushed cheeks and Heat in the five centers can be experienced, as well as occasional agitation, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Raw Rehmannia root, the chief herb, makes up more than a fourth of the formula by weight. This strong Kidney Yin and Blood nourishing herb clears Heat and harmonizes the Kidney and Heart relationship, helping to control the disturbance of the Spirit due to Fire. The three deputies − Chinese asparagus tuber, Ophiopogon tuber and Scrophularia root − enrich Yin and clear Heat from deficiency, helping to calm the Spirit. Both Chinese salvia root and rhizome and Dong quai root tonify Blood to nourish the Heart, without contributing to stasis. Codonopsis root, at a higher percentage than the original Ginseng root, tonifies the Middle Burner and augments the Qi. Along with Poria, it is used for Spleen and Stomach deficiency and to strengthen the Middle Burner. Biota seed and Polygala root calm the Spirit, and Poria quiets the Heart. Schisandra fruit and dry fried Sour jujube seed halt the loss of Heart Qi and Yin fluids. Platycodon root, the envoy, carries the actions of the formula upward to the Heart. Celestial Emperor’s Blend addresses Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency or Heart and Kidney not communicating. Peaceful Sleep addresses occasional insomnia due to an unsettled Spirit and Heat in the Heart with underlying Blood deficiency. Rescue the Spirit addresses Phlegm that is clouding the Heart orifice with underlying Blood, Qi and/or Yin deficiency. Zizyphus Sleep Formula addresses Liver and Heart Blood deficiency disturbing the Spirit (Shen). Combine with Temper Fire from the Kan Herbals line or Rehmannia Six for stronger Kidney Yin tonification. Combine with Six Gentlemen or Shen Ling Spleen Support when support and protection of the Spleen Qi is desired. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTCelestial Emperor’s Blend is based on the traditional formula, Emperor of Heaven’s Special Pill to Tonify the Heart (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan). The formula’s name comes from a story in Secret Investigations Into Obtaining Health by Hong Ji, 1638 A.D., in which it is said that the formula was given to him by the “Emperor of Heaven” in a dream.
