Calm the shen (spirit) (an shen)

Disturbance of the shen, or spirit, results in a variety of mental and emotional disorders such as restlessness, irritability, anxiety, palpitations and insomnia.

For excess conditions, most are heavy, sedating minerals, shells and fossils that anchor the spirit, of which hu po (amber, Succinum) is the only herb, although herbs like ru xiang (frankincense, Boswellia carterii), he huan pi (mimosa bark, Albiziae julibrissin) and yuan zhi (polygala root, Polygala tenuifolia) can aid a spirit agitated by qi and blood stasis or phlegm obstruction.

When the spirit is disturbed by a deficiency of Heart blood and yin, herbs can provide nourishment (see Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit).