Calm (ES)™

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Extra-strength TCM herbal formula for severe stress, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, hysteria, and addiction withdrawal — sedative, anxiolytic, and tranquilizing; spreads Liver qi; purges excess Liver fire; calms the shen (spirit) and tranquilizes the Heart

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Patients with a weak digestive system may experience mild GI disturbances — reduce dosage or take with GI Care for nausea and Gentle Lax (Deficient) for constipation. Contains Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) which invigorates blood — use with caution or avoid with Coumadin (warfarin) or anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy due to higher risk of bleeding and bruising. California Prop 65 warning: this product contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) — do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Efforts should be made to identify the underlying cause of illness — treat both symptoms and cause concurrently for optimal results.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Stress with poor appetite, headache, tension, insomnia, and similar stress responses

* Extreme or severe emotional and psychological disorders such as hysteria, neurosis, and schizophrenia

* Insomnia with disturbed sleep and night awakenings

* Withdrawal signs and symptoms associated with alcohol, drug, and smoking addiction

Background: Stress is a normal physical and psychological reaction to the demands of life. When confronted with stress, the body responds with a burst of hormones — the “fight-or-flight” response. Once the stress is gone, the body is supposed to return to a normal relaxed state. Unfortunately, the nonstop stress of modern life often keeps the body in a constantly stressed state. Over time, this leads to serious health problems affecting the brain (feelings and emotions), heart (hypertension, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease), muscles (stiffness and pain), stomach (acid reflux, peptic ulcer disease, IBS), and immune system (weakened immunity, frequent infection).

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Long Gu (Os Draconis) + Mu Li (Concha Ostreae): mineral medicinal substances — anchor the floating shen; tranquilizing and sedative; subdue hyperactivity of Liver fire; Mu Li also neutralizes gastric acid and treats gastric and duodenal ulcers

— Gou Teng (Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis): treats headache from sudden rise of blood pressure; moderate and prolonged antihypertensive effect — decreases heart rate and reduces peripheral vascular resistance; cardioprotective — prevents atherosclerosis and restenosis via corynoxeine

— Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae): clears heat; relieves irritability; anxiolytic — positive allosteric modulation of GABA(A) receptor via wogonin; significant anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of nitric oxide, COX-2, prostaglandin E2, and proinflammatory cytokines

— Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei): clears heat; relieves irritability; laxative and purgative — works directly on the large intestine to increase peristalsis

— Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri): disperses stagnant Liver qi; calming effect on the brain; antihyperlipidemic; analgesic and anti-inflammatory (saikosaponins); stimulates humoral and cellular immunity

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis): nourishes Liver blood; analgesic and anti-inflammatory ≥ aspirin; antiarrhythmic; improves blood circulation; reduces cholesterol and triglycerides; immunostimulant (macrophages↑)

— Suan Zao Ren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae): calms the Heart; nourishes shen; anxiolytic; hypnotic — jujubosides promote sleep

— Xie Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae / Valerian): calms the Heart; anxiolytic and antidepressant — valerenic acid interacts with GABA(A)-ergic system, mechanism similar to benzodiazepines

— Xi Yang Shen (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii / American Ginseng): strengthens and harmonizes middle jiao; anxiolytic — saponins relieve stress and anxiety

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae): adaptogenic; anti-inflammatory (TNF-α↓, NO↓); dual GI regulation (constipation or diarrhea); immunostimulant (WBC↑, lymphocytes↑, IgG↑)

— Fu Ling (Poria): adaptogenic; strengthens middle jiao; prevents Liver overacting on Spleen

— Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae): strengthens middle jiao; calming; promotes relaxation and sleep; improves memory

— Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi): promotes qi and blood circulation

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong): promotes qi and blood circulation; anti-inflammatory (TNF-α↓, NF-κB↓); effective for vascular headache and migraine

— Zhu Ru (Caulis Bambusae in Taenia): clears heat and phlegm; calms the shen

— Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens): strengthens and harmonizes middle jiao

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae): harmonizes formula; gastroprotective — 100 patients with gastric/duodenal ulcers, 90% effectiveness; antiarrhythmic; improves cognitive function and memory

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Sedative / tranquilizing — Long Gu + Mu Li (anchor shen, subdue Liver fire); Suan Zao Ren (jujubosides, hypnotic); Xie Cao (valerenic acid, GABA-A)

* Anxiolytic — Huang Qin (GABA-A, wogonin); Xie Cao (benzodiazepine-like); Suan Zao Ren; Xi Yang Shen (saponins); Chai Hu (brain calming)

* Antidepressant / adaptogenic — Xie Cao (antidepressant); Bai Zhu + Fu Ling (adaptogenic)

* Analgesic / anti-inflammatory — Dang Gui (≥ aspirin); Chai Hu (saikosaponins); Bai Zhu (TNF-α↓, NO↓); Chuan Xiong (TNF-α↓, NF-κB↓); Huang Qin (COX-2↓, prostaglandin E2↓)

* Cardiovascular — Gou Teng (antihypertensive, cardioprotective); Dang Gui (antiarrhythmic, blood viscosity↓, cholesterol↓); Chai Hu (LDL↓, triglycerides↓); Gan Cao (arrhythmia↓)

* Gastroprotective — Mu Li (gastric acid neutralization); Gan Cao (peptic ulcer prevention); Bai Zhu (dual GI regulation); Da Huang (laxative, peristalsis↑)

* Immune enhancement — Chai Hu (humoral + cellular); Dang Gui (macrophages↑); Bai Zhu (WBC↑, lymphocytes↑, IgG↑)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Spreads Liver qi; purges excess Liver fire (Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Da Huang, Gou Teng)

* Calms the shen; tranquilizes the Heart (Long Gu, Mu Li, Suan Zao Ren, Xie Cao, Zhu Ru)

* Nourishes Liver blood (Dang Gui)

* Strengthens and harmonizes middle jiao; prevents Liver overacting on Spleen (Xi Yang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao)

* Promotes qi and blood circulation (Gui Zhi, Chuan Xiong)

DOSAGE

Standard (stress and anxiety): 3–4 capsules three times daily.

Severe emotional/psychological disorders or addiction withdrawal: 6–8 capsules every 4–6 hours or as needed. Reduce to 3–4 capsules three times daily once symptoms are stabilized.

Supplementary formulas: Moderate stress, anxiety, or PMS — use Calm. Stress and anxiety with insomnia in deficiency patients — use Calm ZZZ. Insomnia from blood deficiency — add Schisandra ZZZ. Crying spells or depression — add Shine or Shine (DS). ADD/ADHD — add Calm (Jr). Stress-related IBS — add GI Harmony. Stress-related ulcerative colitis — add GI Care (UC). Chronic stubborn insomnia with blood stagnation — add Circulation (SJ). Menopausal signs — add Balance (Heat). Hypertension — add Gentiana Complex or Gastrodia Complex. Headache — add Corydalin (AC) or Corydalin (CR). Constipation — combine with Gentle Lax (Excess) or Gentle Lax (Deficient). Hyperthyroidism — add Thyrodex. Heartburn or gastric ulcers — add GI Care. Excess fire — add Gardenia Complex. Thirst and dryness — add Nourish (Fluids).

Nutrition: Diet high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins B and E — easily depleted by stress. Recommended foods: apricots, asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, brown rice, dried fruit, figs, salmon, garlic, green leafy vegetables, soy products, and yogurt. Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate), tobacco, alcohol, and sugar. Avoid warm/hot-natured foods: heat-producing fruits (mango, durian), stimulants, and spicy/aromatic vegetables. Avoid artificial coloring and processed meats. Restlessness and emotional instability — tea of wheat bran, licorice root, and dates three times daily.

Lifestyle: If insomnia is related to work or stress, do not work in the bedroom and remove anything that reminds you of the office. A warm bath or light snack before bedtime may help. Regular exercise, adequate rest, and normal sleep patterns reduce stress. Relax through meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, tai chi chuan, and qi gong. Noise above 65 dB causes psychological disturbance; above 90 dB emotional damage; above 120 dB nervous system damage. Sleep by 10 p.m. — in TCM, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. is when yin shifts to yang; the body must be at rest for optimal health.

CASE STUDIES

— 54F (C.K.): OCD, anxiety, overthinking; on Celexa and Effexor for years; shen disturbance. Calm (ES) 4 caps 3x + vitamin B12. Result after 1 year: no longer uses drugs. At 5-year follow-up: 2 caps 2x, doing spiritual work, much happier.

— 65F: Husband recently died; BP 160/92, HR 78; stress, sleeping difficulties, waking anxious at night; Liver qi stagnation and phlegm fire. Calm (ES) 4 caps 3x. Result: BP improved; Western doctor stopped pushing drugs.

— 46F (P.I.): Irregular uterine bleeding, night sweats, chronic anxiety; perimenopausal; Liver and Kidney yin deficiencies with blood stagnation and shen disturbance. Calm (ES) 2g 3x + Nourish + Notoginseng 9. Result: irregular bleeding and night sweats resolved over 6 months; anxiety much better.

— 35M (J.K.): Alcoholism; just quit smoking cold turkey. Calm (ES) + Liver DTX + acupuncture. Result: no longer had urge to drink.

— 37F (J.H.): Anxiety, depression, addiction, history of ulcerative colitis; Liver qi stagnation, shen disturbance. Astringent Complex + Calm (ES) + Gui Pi Tang. Result after 2 months: stopped Western medication, quit smoking, felt stable and happy.

— 41F (M.D.): Manic depressive disorder, PMS, constipation; Liver qi stagnation with heat disturbing shen. Calm (ES). Result: patient stated she had never felt this good naturally before.

— 58F (A.D.): Nervousness, worrisome scattered thoughts, anorexia; Spleen and Heart qi deficiencies with Liver qi stagnation agitating shen. Calm (ES) during times of stress. Result: responded very well; continues to use during stressful periods.

— 43F (L.H.): Anxiety, restless thoughts, insomnia, waking at 3 a.m.; overwhelmed at work; Liver qi stagnation with fire harassing shen. Calm (ES) before and during business trip. Result: immediate relief from stress and insomnia.

— 42F (S.L.): Sensation of insanity, grief, sadness; wide-open eyes, shaking hands; shen disturbance. Calm (ES) as needed. Result after 4 days: calmer and less hysterical.

— 35F (A.L.): PMS with stomach cramping, moodiness, breast tenderness; Liver qi stagnation. Calm (ES) 2 caps 2x. Result: 1 week before next cycle — more relaxed, no breast tenderness or cramping.

— 62M (W.Y.): Insomnia from stress; waking 2–3x nightly; blood stagnation with Liver fire. Circulation (SJ) + Calm (ES) 2 caps 2x. Result within 1 week: sleep improved to waking only once nightly.

— 22F (A.B.): Anxiety, fear of failure, depression, insomnia; Liver qi stagnation + Spleen qi deficiency. Calm (ES) daytime + Calm ZZZ nighttime. Result after 1 month: insomnia resolved, depression lifted. At 6 weeks: maintained with Calm; anxiety reduced.

— 49F (S.B.): Mood swings, night sweats, tinnitus, borderline diabetic; Kidney and Liver yin deficiencies with Liver qi stagnation. Calm (ES) + Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan. Result by end of week 1: less volatile, decreased night sweating, sleeping more deeply.

— 56F (L.L.): Frustration, anger, PTSD after losing home in hurricanes; BP 138/78, HR 82; temporal/vertex headaches, eye twitching, red eyes; damp-heat in Liver and Gallbladder. Calm (ES) + Cholisma + Gentiana Complex. Result: immediate emotional control; BP gradually reduced to 120/72.

— 49F social worker: Stress, anxiety, dizziness, hot flashes, night sweats, dysmenorrhea; Kidney and Liver yin deficiencies with Liver qi stagnation. Balance (Heat) + Calm (ES). Result: reduced hot flashes, less irritability and anxiety; better sleep.

— 44F police officer: Chronic occipital/temporal headaches aggravated by stress; qi and blood stagnation. Corydalin (AC) + Neck & Shoulder (AC) + Calm (ES). Result: replaced Imitrex — stress management was critical to treatment success.

— 18F: Vivid visual hallucinations at night, paranoia; Liver qi stagnation with shen disturbance. Calm (ES) 3 caps 3x x 2 weeks + positive visual imagery. Result: hallucinations and fears resolved.

— 40M: Severe insomnia, restlessness, hyperactivity; schizophrenia; Heart fire and Liver fire. Calm (ES). Result within 1 week: sleep increased from 2–3 hours to 7–8 hours nightly.

— 53F (M.C.): Severe anxiety and fear of flying; Liver fire. Calm (ES) 4–6 caps before flight. Result: anxiety under control; able to fly regularly.

— 53M miner: Insomnia, depression, stress, fatigue; relentless worrying; Heart and Spleen blood deficiency. Schisandra ZZZ + Calm (ES). Result: sleep improved from 2–3 to 5–6 hours nightly; much calmer.

— 78F (stroke history): Memory loss, insomnia, nightmares, easily frightened; dementia; qi and blood stagnation, Liver/Kidney yin deficiency, Heart fire. Calm (ES) + Neuro Plus. Result after ~1 month: recalled practitioner’s name for first time; sleep, mood, energy greatly improved.

— 51F (B.B.): Daily headaches, breast tenderness, insomnia, irritability from quitting smoking; Liver fire and Liver qi stagnation. Jia Wei Xiao Yao San + Calm (ES). Result: breast soreness resolved; headaches diminished; irritability greatly reduced. Continued 1 year.

Related Reading

Also see: Calm – moderate stress, anxiety, or PMS | Calm ZZZ – stress with insomnia in deficiency patients | Schisandra ZZZ – insomnia from blood deficiency | Shine – crying spells or depression | Shine (DS) – depression with Liver qi stagnation | Calm (Jr) – ADD/ADHD | GI Harmony – stress-related IBS | GI Care (UC) – stress-related ulcerative colitis | Circulation (SJ) – chronic insomnia with blood stagnation | Balance (Heat) – menopausal signs | Gentiana Complex – hypertension | Gastrodia Complex – hypertension | Corydalin (AC) – headache | Thyrodex – hyperthyroidism | GI Care – heartburn or gastric ulcers | Gardenia Complex – excess fire | Nourish (Fluids) – thirst and dryness | Stress, Anxiety & Sleep Support Collection.

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