Introduction to Medicinal Diet
An Shen Bu Nao Tang (Calm the Spirit and Nourish the Brain Soup) is a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine medicinal food passed down for millennia. Its formulation principle originates from the wise integration of the *Shi Liao Ben Cao* (Dietary Materia Medica) and the *Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang* (Formulas of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary). Guided by the core concept of “medicine and food sharing the same source” (yao shi tong yuan), it is prepared by carefully selecting substances that calm the heart and tranquilize the spirit, along with those that supplement and benefit the brain and marrow, then simmered over low heat. This soup has been highly esteemed by physicians throughout history and is regarded as an excellent dietary therapeutic product for regulating and nourishing the heart and spirit, strengthening the brain, and enhancing intellect.
This soup uses pig brain or sheep brain as a guiding ingredient, combined with Ziziphus spinosa seed (Suan Zao Ren), Platycladus orientalis seed (Bai Zi Ren), Dimocarpus longan fruit (Longan Aril), and Juglans regia seed (Walnut Kernel). The broth appears milky white with an amber sheen, offering a rich and savory taste that balances the natural freshness of the ingredients with the warm, subtle aroma of the medicinal herbs. It is a nourishing medicinal diet that harmonizes flavor and therapeutic benefits. In modern times, with fast-paced lifestyles, high mental energy expenditure, and constant mental tension, the Brain-Calming and Nourishing Decoction provides a gentle yet effective dietary therapy for such individuals.
Medicinal Diet Efficacy
The An Shen Bu Nao Decoction (Calm Spirit and Tonify Brain Decoction) is renowned for its dual action of calming the spirit (安神) and tonifying the brain (补脑), comprehensively addressing various discomforts arising from heart spirit malnourishment (心神失养) and brain marrow insufficiency (脑髓不足). In terms of calming the spirit, this decoction effectively alleviates emotional disturbances such as restless heart spirit (心神不宁), insomnia with excessive dreaming (失眠多梦), palpitations and severe palpitations (心悸怔忡), and irritability with easy anger (烦躁易怒), helping restore inner peace and tranquility.
In terms of nourishing the brain, this soup can supplement the brain marrow, enhance memory, and alleviate mental fatigue. It has a significant improving effect on symptoms such as dizziness and tinnitus, poor concentration, and sluggish thinking caused by prolonged mental overexertion. With long-term moderate consumption, it can calm the mind, boost vitality, and simultaneously improve sleep quality and work efficiency.
calming the spirit
In the formula, Suanzaoren (Ziziphus spinosa seed) and Baiziren (Platycladus orientalis seed) are used in mutual reinforcement: one enters the Heart meridian to nourish Heart blood, the other enters the Kidney meridian to promote communication between Heart and Kidney, jointly achieving the effects of nourishing the Heart and calming the Spirit while linking Heart and Kidney. Guiyuanrou (Longan aril, Dimocarpus longan) is sweet and warm, directly tonifying Heart blood so that the Heart spirit has a place to rely on. The combined use of these three herbs settles the floating and restless Heart spirit, allowing nighttime sleep to become naturally deep and sound.
The effect of tonifying the brain
Walnut kernels, resembling the human brain, follow the TCM principle of “like supplements like.” Sweet in taste and warm in nature, they enter the Kidney Meridian and are able to tonify the Kidneys, benefit the brain, and strengthen the bones and sinews. Pig brain, as a substance of flesh and blood with natural affinity, directly reaches the brain marrow and nourishes the Sea of Marrow. Lycium barbarum (goji berry) tonifies the Kidneys and replenishes essence; when essence is sufficient, the brain marrow is filled, thereby enhancing memory and mental vitality.
Functions of Traditional Chinese Medicine
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, the core actions of the An Shen Bu Nao Tang (Spirit-Calming Brain-Nourishing Decoction) are to “nourish heart blood, benefit kidney essence, and harmonize the heart and kidney.” The heart houses the spirit and governs blood vessels; the kidney stores essence, governs bones, and produces marrow, with the brain being the sea of marrow. There exists a close relationship of mutual generation between essence and blood, and harmonious interaction between water and fire between the heart and kidney. Heart fire descends to warm kidney water, while kidney water ascends to regulate heart fire—thereby allowing the heart spirit to be at peace and the brain marrow to be abundant.
In the formula, Sour Jujube Seed (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) enters the Heart (HT) and Liver (LR) channels, nourishes the heart, calms the spirit, and astringes sweating. Chinese Arborvitae Seed (Platycladi Semen) enters the Heart (HT) and Kidney (KI) channels, nourishes the heart, calms the spirit, moistens the intestines, and unblocks the bowels; it is especially adept at coordinating the heart and kidney. Longan (Longan Arillus) supplements heart blood, calms the spirit, and settles the mind. Walnut (Juglandis Semen) supplements the kidney, benefits the brain, warms the lung, and calms wheezing. Pig brain, applying the principle of “like treats like,” directly reaches the affected area to fill and supplement the brain marrow. The entire formula is ingeniously combined, regulating both heart and kidney, treating both root and branch, such that heart fire descends and kidney water ascends, and the heart spirit and brain marrow each obtain their proper place.
Heart-Kidney interaction is the foundation of calming the spirit.
The Heart governs Fire, and the Kidney governs Water. Under normal conditions, Heart Fire descends to warm Kidney Water, while Kidney Water ascends to restrain Heart Fire, forming a harmonious state of heart-kidney interaction (heart-kidney coordination). If excessive worry and overthinking consume Heart blood, or if aging leads to Kidney essence deficiency, heart-kidney disharmony (non-interaction) occurs, manifesting as insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, palpitations, lower back soreness, and weak legs. An Shen Bu Nao Tang (Calm the Mind and Nourish the Brain Decoction) restores the heart-kidney interaction by supplementing Heart blood and nourishing Kidney essence—this is the fundamental mechanism of its calming (shen-anchoring) effect.
Like supplements like: the source of brain nourishment.
Traditional Chinese Medical Dietetics holds that animal organs have a tonic effect on the corresponding human organs through the principle of “like attracts like.” Pig brain or lamb brain, when added to soups, can directly supply the essential substances needed by the human brain and marrow. Combined with the kidney-tonifying and brain-benefiting actions of walnut kernels (Juglans regia), along with the essence-filling and marrow-replenishing effects of goji berries (Lycium barbarum), these ingredients work together to enhance brain power, improve memory, and delay the decline of brain function.
Indications
An Shen Bu Nao Tang (Mind-Calming and Brain-Nourishing Decoction) is particularly suitable for mental workers, students, test-takers, and individuals engaged in prolonged high-intensity mental labor. Due to excessive mental exertion, these individuals often experience memory decline, poor concentration, sluggish thinking, dizziness, and brain fatigue. Consuming this decoction can effectively alleviate the above symptoms and enhance work and study efficiency.
Additionally, this decoction is also suitable for individuals suffering from insomnia with excessive dreaming, poor sleep quality, early awakening, and easy startling; for middle-aged and elderly people experiencing cognitive decline, forgetfulness, and slow response due to the natural depletion of Kidney Essence; and for women around menopause presenting with restlessness of the Heart Spirit (Xin Shen), irritability and anxiety, hot flashes, and insomnia. For those recovering from a major illness or postpartum weakness with malnourishment of the Heart Spirit and insufficient brain power, this decoction is also an ideal restorative dietary therapy.
Contraindicated Populations
Individuals with a constitution of Excessive Damp-Heat (Shi-Re Nei Sheng) should avoid consuming the An Shen Bu Nao Tang (Mind-Calming and Brain-Nourishing Decoction). Such individuals typically present with symptoms like bitter taste and sticky sensation in the mouth, epigastric and abdominal fullness and distension, sticky and unsatisfying bowel movements, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating. The warming and tonifying ingredients in the decoction, such as Longan Aril (Long Yan Rou) and Walnut Seed (Hu Tao Ren), can promote dampness and generate heat, thereby aggravating the internal damp-heat condition and being detrimental to health. During episodes of common cold or fever with external contraction, consumption should also be suspended to prevent these tonifying substances from retaining the pathogenic factors internally, thus prolonging the disease course.
For individuals with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold and loose stools, caution is advised. Although the Calming the Spirit and Nourishing the Brain Decoction is generally warm in nature, pig brain is a rich and greasy substance that may aggravate symptoms of indigestion and diarrhea in those with weak Spleen and Stomach transportation and transformation functions. This soup is not suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, or allergies to animal organs. If those with high cholesterol truly need it, pig brain can be replaced with tofu, which can still provide some tonifying effects.
Ingredient ratio of the formula
Below is the standard formula for Mind-Calming and Brain-Nourishing Decoction (An Shen Bu Nao Tang), with ingredient quantities precise to the gram, suitable for 3 to 4 servings: Pig brain 1 piece (approx. 150g), Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (sour jujube seed) 15g, Semen Platycladi (Chinese arborvitae seed) 10g, Arillus Longan (longan aril) 20g, Semen Juglandis (walnut kernel) 30g, Fructus Lycii (goji berry) 10g, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (fresh ginger) 3 slices (approx. 5g), Fructus Jujubae (red date) 5 pieces (pitted, approx. 15g), and common salt to taste (approx. 2 to 3g).
The ingredients are precisely combined: *Suan Zao Ren* (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Sour Jujube Seed) and *Bai Zi Ren* (Semen Platycladi, Arborvitae Seed) together achieve the effect of calming the spirit (*an shen*); *Long Yan Rou* (Arillus Longan, Longan Aril) and *Hong Zao* (Fructus Jujubae, Chinese Date) nourish heart blood (*bu yi xin xue*); *He Tao Ren* (Semen Juglandis, Walnut Kernel) and *Gou Qi Zi* (Fructus Lycii, Goji Berry) tonify the kidney and benefit the brain (*bu shen yi nao*); *Sheng Jiang* (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Fresh Ginger) harmonizes the middle and opens the stomach (*he zhong kai wei*), dispelling fishy flavors and seasoning; *Zhu Nao* (Cerebrum Suis, Pig Brain) acts as a guide to supplement the sea of marrow (*tian bu sui hai*). The ingredients complement each other, collectively exerting a comprehensive effect of calming the spirit and nourishing the brain. If modifications are needed, the dosage can be adjusted or some ingredients substituted under the guidance of a physician.
Cooking Method
Step 1: Process the pig brain. Place the fresh pig brain in clean water and soak for approximately 30 minutes. Using a toothpick or tweezers, gently peel off the surface blood film and connective tissue, taking care to keep the brain intact. Then rinse gently with clean water, drain, and set aside. The blood film on the pig brain is the main source of the fishy odor, so it must be thoroughly removed.
Step Two: Prepare the Medicinal Ingredients. Place Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (Sour Jujube Seed) and Semen Platycladi (Chinese Arborvitae Seed) into a gauze bag, and tie the bag tightly to prevent dregs from mixing into the decoction and affecting the taste. Briefly rinse Arillus Longan (Longan Aril), Semen Juglandis (Walnut), and Fructus Lycii (Goji Berry) with clean water. Remove the pits from Fructus Jujubae (Red Dates) and wash them, and slice Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Fresh Ginger) into thick pieces. Set aside.
Step 3: Decoct the medicinal broth. Place all ingredients (including the muslin bag containing the herbs) into an earthenware pot, except for the pig brain. Add sufficient clean water, about 1500 ml. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam, then immediately reduce to low heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes to fully extract the active constituents from the medicinal herbs.
Step 4: Add the pig brain. Gently place the prepared pig brain into the pot, continuing to simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Pig brain cooks quickly and should not be overcooked, otherwise the texture will become tough and firm. During simmering, avoid stirring vigorously with a spatula to preserve the intact shape of the pig brain.
Step 5: Seasoning and serving. Use chopsticks to remove the cloth-wrapped herb sachet, squeeze out any residual decoction, and discard the bag. Add an appropriate amount of table salt to taste according to personal preference, stir gently to combine, and then turn off the heat. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot. The pig brain will be as smooth and tender as tofu, with a rich, mellow, and sweetly fragrant broth.
Consumption Tips
It is recommended to consume 1 to 2 times per week, with 4 consecutive weeks as one course of treatment, which can significantly improve sleep quality and mental state. If symptoms are severe, the frequency may be appropriately increased under the guidance of a physician, but it should not be consumed daily to avoid cloying and impairing the Stomach.
2. The best time for consumption is one hour before dinner or two hours before bedtime, drinking it warm and slowly. Taking it before dinner can help calm the mind in advance, preparing the body for nighttime sleep; consuming it right before bed is more effective in directly improving difficulty falling asleep and sleep depth. Note that immediately after consumption, one should not engage in high-intensity mental activities, allowing the body enough time for absorption and adjustment.
3. This decoction should not be taken together with strong tea, raw radish, coffee, or similar foods. The caffeine in strong tea and coffee can stimulate the nervous system, antagonizing the calming (shen-anchoring) effect of the decoction. Raw radish has the action of moving qi and breaking qi (activating and dispersing qi), which may weaken the tonifying effect. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding spicy and greasy foods to ensure the maximum efficacy of the medicinal meal.