Limited evidenceSleep & relaxation

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

A traditional Chinese formula for restless sleep with palpitations and anxiety. Despite active laboratory research, there are no randomised human trials of it indexed in PubMed — the published evidence is entirely preclinical.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Insomnia Limited evidence
Published work on Tianwang Buxin Decoction consists of rodent and mechanistic studies, such as one reporting reduced neuroinflammation in an insomnia model via adenosine and AMPK/SIRT1 signalling. Searches for controlled clinical trials of this formula return none, so its effect in people is untested.
Mechanistic plausibility Limited evidence
Multi-omics analyses describe effects of the formula on neurotransmitter metabolism pathways. Mechanistic plausibility in the laboratory is a starting point for research, not evidence that the pills work.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditionally 6–9 g/day of the pill form in divided doses, or as a decoction. No human dosing study exists.

SafetyHuman safety data are absent. The formula contains cinnabar (mercuric sulfide) in some traditional versions — check the ingredient list and avoid any product containing it, as mercury-containing Chinese patent medicines have caused poisoning. It also contains several sedative and blood-moving herbs that may add to sedatives and anticoagulants. Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children, and do not use it to self-treat palpitations, which need a cardiac assessment.

Scientific references

Tianwang Buxin Decoction ameliorates neuroinflammation in insomnia via adenosine accumulation-mediated AMPK/SIRT1 pathway
Li Y, Ji S, Jiang J — J Ethnopharmacol, 2026
Integrated multi-omics and deep learning analysis reveals neurotransmitter metabolism regulatory mechanisms of Tianwang Buxin Dan
Wan M, Cai R, Zhang X — Front Neurosci, 2026

Where to buy

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