An Shen (Stress Relief)
Chinese Formula for Quenching Excess “Fire” Energy
An Shen is a traditional Chinese herb formula for reducing excessive “fire” energy. Fire energy is associated with nervous, glandular and circulatory functions in the body. In Chinese medicine a person with too much “fire” is prone to excessive excitement, restlessness, anxiety and insomnia, conditions we associate with excessive stress in Western society. An Shen’s trade name, Chinese Stress Relief, accurately describes its primary function, and means “pacify the spirit” in Chinese. It helps to calm the nervous system, relieving anxiety and excitability.
An Shen can also be helpful for conditions associated with a high strung and tense nervous system, including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, absent-mindedness, dizziness, convulsions, neurosis, pains in the chest due to stress, emotional instability and excessive perspiration. People who tend to be fast talkers with high strung personalities and vivid dreams will find An Shen helps to balance their nervous system. It can ease feelings of fear and insecurity and reduce conditions involving over acidity, such as urinary tract irritation and mouth sores.
An Shen is designed to help calm the nervous system and relieve anxiety, fright, insomnia and excitability. It is a mild sedative that contains natural calcium to relax the nerves. Since stress often causes digestive problems, this combination also contains herbs that aid digestion by increasing the production of digestive fluids. Chinese Stress Relief re-establishes energy by balancing the normal flow of Chi.
Dragon Bone, Haliotis Shell, Oyster Shell: These three items are composed mostly of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. Since they are astringent and have mild sedative properties, they can reduce sweating, neutralize gastric acidity and relax muscle cramps. They have been used to treat insomnia, heart palpitation, hypertension, night sweats, hyperacid stomach and headache.
Albizia Bark shrinks inflamed tissue and relieves pain while increasing circulation and urine flow. It has been used for insomnia, heart palpitation, anxiety and skin disease.
Polygonum increases bile production and urine flow, lowers blood pressure, shrinks inflamed tissues and constricts peripheral blood vessels.
The following herbs are sedatives in this combination: Fushen is an herbal fungus that grows on pine trees. It is a sedative and a diuretic that works to decrease blood sugar. Fushen has been used to treat insomnia, heart palpitations, poor memory, restlessness and feelings of anger. Polygala is a sedative which lowers blood pressure and thins mucus. It has been used to treat insomnia, heart palpitation and ulcers. Acorus increases the production of digestive fluids, relieves muscle spasms and lowers blood pressure. This herb has been used to treat nervous tension, depression, epilepsy, poor appetite, fever, gastritis and flatulence.
Siberian Ginseng helps to draw energy to vital organs. It increases the production of DNA, RNA and essential proteins, increases circulation and stimulates the adrenal, pancreas and pituitary glands to help lower blood sugar and reduce inflammation. Siberian Ginseng has been used to treat fatigue, anemia, poor memory and to increase endurance and stamina.
Saussurea increases the production of digestive fluids, increases blood circulation, relieves smooth muscle spasms, lowers blood pressure and relieves pain. Saussurea has been used to treat gastritis, chest pain, gallstones and diarrhea.
Zizyphus Seed is a sedative that relieves pain, reduces fever and lowers blood pressure. These seeds have been used to treat insomnia, heart palpitation, night sweats and nervous tension.
Curcuma has been used in the Orient to treat angina, anxiety, sharp pains, confusion and mental disturbance.
Coptis Root helps to relieve pain and inflammation. This root normalizes liver and spleen function by increasing digestive fluids and enzymes. It constricts peripheral blood vessels. Coptis has been used to treat gastritis, colitis, ulcers, infections and eczema.
The following herbs are catalysts for this combination: Licorice is a mild sedative. It increases energy, especially around vital organs. It has been used to strengthen the digestion, regulate blood sugar, treat fatigue, abdominal spasms, pain and ulcers. Cinnamon Bark increases blood circulation, encourages the production of digestive fluids and relieves smooth muscle spasms. Cinnamon has been used to treat angina, pain, dyspepsia and hypochondria. Ginger is antispasmodic and anti-emetic. It is a good source of silicon, magnesium and manganese. It eliminates gas from the bowels, prevents vomiting, lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure and relieves spasms. Ginger is also used for gas, indigestion, nausea, aches and pains.
Usage
To help nervous problems the suggested dose is 4 capsules of Chinese Stress Relief, once or twice daily. Chinese Stress Relief is also available as a TCM concentrate. The dose of the concentrate would be 1 capsule once or twice daily.
Selected References
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble
Oriental Material Medica: A Concise Guide by Hong-Yen Hsu
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen
The Comprehensive Guide to Nature’s Sunshine Products by Tree of Light
