About Balance Pearls
The design of Balance Pearls is based on the popular 18th century formula Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang, originally inspired by the Yuan dynasty scholar-physician Li Dongyuan who asserted that “headaches caused by phlegm must be addressed with Banxia, and dizziness must be approached with Tianma.” To this day, this remedy continues to be a common choice for treating such disorders. The key herb is Tianma (Gastrodia elata), the tuber of a rare orchid traditionally highly valued in the folk medicine systems of Southwest China. Tianma contains precursors to levodopa and other chemical ingredients that modern pharmacology considers effective for the treatment of spasmodic disorders. The Shen Nong’s Materia Medica (Shen Nong bencao jing), China’s earliest single herb primer, went even further by naming it Guiduyou (Controller of Demons) and classifying it as an anti-Gu herb with strong anti-inflammatory and life prolonging properties. While Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang can be used for any chronic disorder involving phlegm and internal wind, Balance Pearls specifically aims to utilize the ancient neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of this remedy. Multiple ingredients are added that make the formula suitable for the long-term treatment of neurological issues and brain chemistry disorders.
Therapeutic Principles
- Dry damp and transform phlegm, build Spleen qi
- Pacify the Liver and extinguish wind
- Descend counterflow and connect Heart and Kidney
- Open Heart orifice
Formula Ingredients
CHINESE | PINYIN | COMMON NAME; PAOZHI (PROCESSING) | BASE FORMULA AND/OR ACTIONS |
(清) 半夏 | (Qing) Banxia | Pinellia; alum cured | Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang |
白术 (麸炒) | Baizhu | Atractylodes, white; bran fried | |
天麻 | Tianma | Gastrodia | |
茯苓 | Fuling | Poria Fushen | |
陈皮 (清炒) | Chenpi | Citrus peel; dry fried | |
生姜 | Shengjiang | Ginger; fresh | |
甘草 (枣花蜜炙) | Zhi Gancao | Licorice; jujube flower honey baked | |
夏枯球 | Xiakuqiu | Prunella | reverse counterflow in Lung and Liver |
桔梗 | Jiegeng | Platycodon | |
杏仁 (炒) | Xingren | Apricot seed; fried | |
地黃 (生) | Sheng Dihuang | Rehmannia; raw | balance drying quality of formula by moistening Lung and Kidney yin; |
天門冬 | Tianmendong | Asparagus | |
(南) 五味子 | (Nan) Wuweizi | Schisandra | |
遠志 (甘草制) | Yuanzhi | Polygala; licorice cured | calm shen, improve memory |
灵芝 | Lingzhi | Ganoderma |