Modifications for Mental Focus:

Yuan Zhi 遠志 Chinese senega root; polygala Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae [use caution if pregnant]

Shi Chang Pu 石菖蒲 sweetflag rhizome; acorus Rhizoma Acori Graminei

Yuan zhi and shi chang pu are used in many formulas that for its head-clearing effects. These two herbs are used in Eagle Herbs’ ANX formula.

Modification for Insomnia:

Suan zao ren and ye jiao teng don’t make you drowsy, but they restore your calm you so a timely and appropriate desire to sleep can naturally arise. Suan zao ren has a tasty nutty flavor that goes well with the coffee lover’s tastes. Ye jiao teng tastes like Dang Gui, so you probably won’t notice that taste either way.

Suan Zao Ren 酸棗仁 sour jujube seed; zizyphus Semen Zizyphi Spinosae [use caution if pregnant]

Ye Jiao Teng 夜交藤 corydalis rhizome Caulis Polygoni Multiflori

Modification for anxiety and sweating:

Long Gu (Dragon Bone) and Mu Li (oyster shell) are both heavy substances (minerals, essentially) that are said to anchor the spirit to address jitters, shakes, anxiety or sweating. These two herbs actually help calm jitters and shakes too, best teamed up with Gou Teng mentioned below.

Long Gu 龍骨 dragon bone; fossilized vertebrae Os Draconis

Mu Li 牡蠣 oyster shell Concha Ostreae

Modification for Palpitations:

Sometimes the energetic heat in coffee can get your heart racing, in the same way that very spicy peppers might. Dan shen cools the heat that’s causing a rapid heartbeat or palpitations due to drinking too much or too strong coffee. This herb is actually used quite often in medical applications that support the normal functions of the heart.

Dan Shen 丹蔘 salvia root Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix [caution]

Modification for tics, tremors, shakes

Gou teng is the gou-to herb for internal wind. Internal wind looks like an over-stimulated nervous system in that it causes body parts to tremble, like wind passing through the leaves of a tree. Gou teng calms tremors, chills the shakes, and sedates the tics that arise from excessive coffee consumption.

Gou Teng 芶藤 stems of gambir vine; gambir, uncaria vine Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis

Modification to Prevent Indigestion:

As was mentioned above, because of the rich nourishing qualities of a base formula, some elder zhong yi suggest adding a few herbs to this formula to prevent indigestion, bloating, or gas in those who can’t tolerate heavy broths, creams, or tastes.

These three herbs are known to American Chinese medicine students as The Three Candies. They’re sweet, delicious, and help stimulate the digestion so as to make this formula more satisfying in those with sensitive stomachs.

Da Zao 大棗 jujube, Chinese date Jujubae Fructus

Sheng Jiang 生薑 fresh ginger rhizome Zingiberis Rhizoma

Gan Cao 甘草 licorice root Radix Glycyrrhizae [caution]

Mu Xiang is a standard herb to use when the other herbs such as Ginseng- Ren Shen may be too heavy to digest.