Root of Thinleaf Milkwort Classic Formulas … Natural Herb Library

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Calms the spirit and quiets the Heart ... Yuan Zhi is a classic root for insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, and agitation when Heart and Kidney communication is disturbed.
Expels phlegm and opens the orifices ... it is used when turbid phlegm clouds the mind, leading to poor focus, forgetfulness, or dull emotional heaviness.
Redirects Lung Qi and helps resolve cough with phlegm ... a secondary but important lane when mental and respiratory phlegm patterns overlap.

Ding Zhi Wan ... classic formula pairing Yuan Zhi with Shi Chang Pu, Ren Shen, and Fu Ling for fright, poor focus, and disturbed Shen.
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan and related spirit-calming formulas ... Yuan Zhi helps reconnect Heart and Kidney while transforming obstructing phlegm.
Cough and phlegm pairings with Jie Geng, Zi Wan, or Bai Bu ... used when Lung phlegm and mental dullness coexist.

Traditional materia medica treats Yuan Zhi as a key herb for communication between the Heart and Kidney and for opening the orifices through phlegm transformation.
Its dual mental and respiratory use explains why it appears in both insomnia and cough lineages.