by Skye Sturgeon, DAOM
Article originally published January, 2026
When it comes to supporting the brain’s health and cognitive clarity, the best modern Chinese herbal formula is Cerebral Tonic Tablets, also known as Bǔ nǎo piàn 補腦片. Primarily intended to address poor memory, poor concentration, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue, this important formula is mentioned in the articles Aging and Cognitive Decline” and “Anxiety: The Unsettled Shen”.
There are many variations of this formula, and our Plum Flower™ and Bamboo Pharmacy™ version has been recently reformulated according to the standard set forth in the Chinese Pharmacopeia (2025) that addresses specific emotional and cognitive complaints often found together. Other possible symptoms include confusion, disorientation, dull sensorium, mental fatigue, restlessness, insomnia, restless sleep, excessive dreaming, nightmares, anxiety, uneasiness, palpitations, weariness, fatigue, or exhaustion. Typical signs may include a tongue that is pale, and there may be a thick coat, possibly yellow. The pulse may vary between thready, slippery, wiry, or in some cases, weak.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the origin of these complaints comes from Kidney Jing/Essence deficiency, Blood deficiency, and Phlegm obscuring the Shen. One of the primary functions of the Kidney Essence is to nourish the brain, referred to as the Sea of Marrow. When the Sea of Marrow isn't sufficiently nourished, memory, concentration, and cognitive function can be impaired. Blood deficiency can also lead to stirring of internal Wind, with a possible patient presentation that includes many of the symptoms listed above. In addition, Phlegm misting the Heart can obscure the Shen and produce confusion, insecurity, uneasiness, anxiety, nightmares and disorientation. The causes of this complex picture can be acquired, inherited, or all too commonly, the results of aging. There are many physiological reasons for this, including decreased blood flow and reduced connectivity between brain cells. In TCM terms, Cerebral Tonic Tablets may also be useful for Liver Blood deficiency stirring Internal Wind presenting with headaches and dizziness.
The TCM functions for Cerebral Tonic Tablets are to nourish the Heart, tonify the Kidneys, clear and benefit the brain, tonify and gently invigorate the Blood, open the Orifices, transform Phlegm, extinguish Wind, subdue Liver Yang, and calm the Shen.
Cerebral Tonic Tablets Ingredients
| Suan zao ren | Ziziphus jujuba seed | Nourishes Heart Yin, tonifies Liver Blood and calms the Spirit/Shen |
| Dang gui | Angelica sinensis root | Nourishes, invigorates and harmonizes the Blood |
| Rou cong rong (zheng) | Cistanche deserticola herb (steamed) | Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens the Yang and benefits Jing and Marrow |
| Hu tao ren | Juglans regia seed | Tonifies the Kidneys, supports Jing |
| Gou qi zi | Lycium barbarum fruit | Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Blood and Yin, benefits Jing |
| Yi zhi ren (yan) | Alpinia oxyphylla fruit (salt-fried) | Warms the Kidneys and astringes Jing |
| Bai zi ren (chao) | Platycladus orientalis seed (stir-fried) | Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit/Shen |
| Wu wei zi (jiu) | Schisandra chinensis fruit (wine-steamed) | Tonifies the Kidneys, astringes Jing and tonifies Qi |
| Shi chang pu | Acorus tatarinowii rhizome | Opens the Orifices, vaporizes and removes Phlegm, calms the Spirit/Shen and disperses Wind |
| Dan nan xing | Arisaema erubescens rhizome (bile-prepared) | Clears Heat, dissolves Phlegm, calms Wind and stops convulsions |
| Tian zhu huang | Bambusa textilis tabasheer | Clears Heat, cools the Heart and settles convulsions and tremors, Clears and transforms Phlegm-Heat |
| Tian ma | Gastrodia elata rhizome | Extinguishes Wind, subdues Rising Liver Yang and stops spasms and tremors |
| Long gu (duan) | Os draconis mineral (roasted) | Settles anxiety and calms the Spirit, Calms the Liver and anchors and preserves Floating Yang |
| Yuan zhi (zhi) | Polygala tenuifolia root (prepared) | Calms the Spirit/Shen, sedates the Heart and clears the channel joining the Heart and Kidney, Expels Phlegm, opens the Orifices |
| Hu po | Succinum resin | Stops tremors and palpitations and calms the Spirit |
Availability
Bu Nao Pian is available as Plum Flower® Cerebral Tonic Tablets in a standard size of 84 tablets, or an economy size of 420 tablets, and is also available as Bamboo Pharmacy™ Cognitive Support in a standard size of 84 tablets.
Administration, dosage, and contraindications
Administer half an hour before or one hour after eating. In the initial phases, dosage may be increased to 6-8 tablets 3 times per day, then reduced to a maintenance dose as the formula takes effect. To help maintain normal sleep patterns, 6-10 tablets may be taken before bed. May be used long-term for several weeks to several months. May be used over the course of several years. Typical dosage is 4-6 tablets, 3 x per day.
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Contraindicated during the early stages of acute infection or illness, such as cold or flu.
In conclusion, Cerebral Tonic Tablets nourish the Sea of Marrow (brain), Yin, Blood, and tonifies the Qi and the Kidneys while also clearing Wind, calming the Shen and transforming Phlegm that may be misting the Mind. It is ideally suited for older patients with diminished cognitive capacity, and for patients of all ages with diminished memory, reduced cognitive clarity, attention deficit, physical and mental fatigue, and anxiety rooted in Qi, Blood and Essence deficiency.
References
- American Dragon, https://www.americandragon.com
- Bensky, D. & Barolet, R., Formulas & Strategies, Eastland Press: 1990.
- Frost, M., “Anxiety: The Unsettled Shen”, https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/anxiety-the-unsettled-shen
- Sturgeon, S., Aging and Cognitive Decline”, https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/aging-and-cognitive-decline
- Wrinkle, A. et al., A Practitioner’s Formula Guide, Elemental Essentials Press: 2008.
