How Does This Formula Work?Calm and Compose contains the following herbs:
shi jue ming
bao mu fu shen
gou teng (shuang)
sang ji sheng
tian ma
ye jiao teng
chuan niu xi
yi mu cao
huang qin
zhi zi (shan)du zhong
Gastrodia and unicaria are the main herbs in the formula, serving to subdue Liver Yang and extinguish Internal Wind. Gastrodia has a potent effect on quelling seizures in small animals yet does not produce any sedative effect.
Skullcap also may have some limited anti-culvasnat activity since it has been shown, like gastrodia, to alter cerebral GABA levels. Abalone shell assists in the sinking of Yang back into the Lower Burners with its heavy mineral content.
Gardenia and skullcap clear Heat from the Upper Burner and the Heart. Siberian motherwort and cyathula open the Upper Burner to allow Yang energy and stagnant Blood to descend.
Cyathula also protects the Liver and Kidney Yin while siberian motherwort restores communciation between the Heart and the Kidney, facilitating the descent of Heart Yang.
Polygonum multiflorum and poria calm the Spirit, while loranthus and eucommia both consolidate the descending Yang back into the Kidney and simultaneously conserve its Yin.