Ci Zhu Wan, Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill, is Ci Shi, Zhu Sha and Shen Qu. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that sedate and calm the Spirit, and records it as anchoring Yang and improving sight and hearing.

Herb

Amount

ci shi

60 g

zhu sha

30 g

shen qu

120 g

Actions and indications

Sedates heavily and calms the Shen

Heart and Kidneys out of contact: Kidney water no longer rises to hold Heart Fire, which floats upward
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Palpitations, anxiety, being easily startled, and insomnia or unsettled sleep
Seizures
Poor memory or trouble concentrating

Anchors Yang

Heart Fire blazing upward from Yin deficiency of the Kidneys and Liver
Dizziness and headache

Improves vision and hearing

Tinnitus, dulled hearing or deafness
Blurred or dim vision

Modern uses

Cataracts
Optic nerve atrophy
Vitreous humor disorders
Lens disorders
Neural deafness
Tinnitus
Aural vertigo
Glaucoma
Retinitis
Schizophrenia
Visual hallucinations in schizophrenia
Epilepsy
Neurasthenia
Neurosis
Disturbed vegetative nerve function
Hypertension
Insomnia
Headache
Palpitations
Forgetfulness
Dizziness

Modifications

Seizures with copious Phlegm: + zhi ban xia, + dan nan xing, + dai zhe shi

Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency as well (combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)

Phlegm-Heat in the chest (combined with Wen Dan Tang)

Chest Phlegm-Heat, herb alternative: + zhi ban xia, + dan nan xing, + jiang can

Schizophrenia: + huang lian, + zhi zi, + dan nan xing

Schizophrenia, second option: + zhi ban xia, + dan nan xing, + tian zhu huang

Fever, irritability and marked insomnia: + zhi zi, + lian zi xin

Marked palpitations: + long chi, + zĭ bèi chĭ

Marked Kidney Jing deficiency: + gou qi zi, + nu zhen zi, + tu si zi, + shu di huang

Visual disturbance (combined with Qi Ju Di Huang Wan)

Visual disturbance, second option (combined with Ming Mu Di Huang Wan)

Cautions

caution When eye or ear problems stem from Fire due to Kidney and Liver deficiency, adapt the formula rather than giving it unchanged

caution Give a smaller amount when digestion is weak

caution Take care with long-term use

pregnancy Contraindicated in pregnancy, a time also noted for heightened sensitivity to mercury

paediatric Contraindicated in children, who are also noted as especially sensitive to mercury

contraindication Contraindicated in elderly patients

caution Contains Zhu Sha (cinnabar, mercury sulfide), flagged as toxic: little is absorbed from the gut at ordinary amounts, but heating it gives off toxic mercury vapour, and heavy or prolonged exposure has been tied to mercury build-up and damage to the liver and kidneys

caution Existing kidney or liver impairment raises the risk that mercury accumulates

caution Some cinnabar patent medicines are limited to short, restricted use in China, and mercury-containing medicines are restricted or barred from over-the-counter sale in a number of other countries

caution Ci Shi is a heavy mineral that is hard to digest; it is traditionally used only for short periods, and with care when the Spleen and Stomach are weak

Pinyin

ci zhu wan

English Name

Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill

ci zhu wan

About ci zhu wan

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Sedates heavily and calms the Shen

Anchors Yang

Improves vision and hearing

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification