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.

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

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.

How to take it

TimingTraditionally taken in the evening, in divided doses.

With food?Take it with warm water; food makes little difference.

Worth knowingRead the full ingredient list and reject any product listing cinnabar, zhu sha or mercuric sulfide.

Interactions

With medications

benzodiazepines, z-drugs and other sedatives
Additive sedation from the several sedative herbs in the formula. Do not combine without medical advice
warfarin and other anticoagulants
Several blood-moving herbs in the formula have antiplatelet activity. Avoid the combination and stop two weeks before surgery

With other supplements

other sedative sleep formulas
Additive drowsiness with no added benefit. Use one at a time

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does tian wang bu xin dan work for insomnia?

Its effect in people is untested: there are no randomized human trials of tian wang bu xin dan indexed in PubMed, and the published evidence is entirely rodent and mechanistic work. The evidence grade is limited.

Does tian wang bu xin dan contain mercury?

Some traditional versions of tian wang bu xin dan contain cinnabar (mercuric sulfide), and mercury-containing Chinese patent medicines have caused poisoning. Reject any product listing cinnabar, zhu sha or mercuric sulfide.

Is tian wang bu xin dan safe?

Human safety data for tian wang bu xin dan are absent, and its sedative and blood-moving herbs may add to sedatives and anticoagulants. Avoid it 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

Related in Sleep & relaxation

Melatonin Moderate evidence
Magnesium Moderate evidence
L-Theanine Moderate evidence
L-Tryptophan Moderate evidence
Glycine Limited evidence
GABA Limited evidence

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)