Shen herbs are classified as either Shen stabilising or a Shen tonic (nourishing) of the Shen energy that rises through the Heart. Since Shen is the Spiritual expression of the Heart, we find that generally Shen herbs are those that work directly on the Heart Fire itself, enabling the Qi to be in a Yin Yang harmony and flowing freely. Most Shen herbs will also have effects on other organs that will support the Heart Fire to be in harmony.
If both are happening, and we are allowing the Heart Fire to express itself, then we see a general taking of the direction in life where Shen, one of the Three Treasures that fundamentally make us who we are, will develop over our lifetime; this is one of the primary goals of the Daoist path, and ultimately why we use the herbs. The Heart is the house of one’s spirit. One of the Heart’s jobs is to protect the Spirit/Shen, ensure that its home is regulated based on the season to not be too hot, nor too cold, but comfortable and in alignment with the world around us. Since the Heart is the embodiment of the element Fire, and its Qi has the qualities of fire, you can see the Heart being the fire in the hearth of the Spirit’s home, and as we know, a fire in the home needs to be regulated and changed throughout the year to adjust to what is happening with the Earth, weather and atmosphere. Same needs to happen with our Heart, and therefore adjustments in our temperament, emotions, herbs, diet and energy are needed throughout the year to keep the home of the Spirit an appealing place to reside and express from.