It is helpful for restlessness, anxiety, excitability or depression, shoulder and neck stiffness. It has no sedative or nervous system suppressing properties. One of its mechanisms is to support the liver's regulation of estrogen dominance.It does not have a "sedating" effect and so it is completely safe for activities that require alertness. For best results it is recommended to take one or two capsules separately from food, as needed.The main traditional indications for the formula are sleep disturbances, emotional distress especially depression and anxiety, chronic headaches, abnormal bleeding, body aches and pains, especially stiffness or pain in the neck, shoulder or arm. Some of its minor indications include atrophy of the vagina, vaginitis, recurrent urethritis and psychosomatic cardiovascular disease, such as perimenopausal high blood pressure.

The herbs in the traditional formula are Chinese angelica root, atractylodes rhizome, bupleurum root, gardenia seeds, dried ginger, white peony, tree peony root bark mint leaf, licorice root and poria, a type of bracket fungi. In PMX Chinese cinnabar sage root and purple nutsedge root are added to increase the potency. Chinese angelica, also known as dong quoi, is a central nervous system sedative, an analgesic, a peripheral vasodilatator (opens up blood vessels throughout the body) and an anticoagulant. White peony is a sedative, an analgesic and increases levels of progesterone and estradiol. Tree peony root bark, also called moutan, is a sedative and analgesic. Angelica, white peony and tree peony are anti-inflammatory and relax uterine muscle. Licorice root stimulates estradiol secretion and inhibits prolactin. Bupleurum is a s.edative, an analgesic, lengthens sleep time and is renowned for its beneficial effects on regenerating the liver and supporting liver function. Gardenia seeds are used to relieve stress and anxiety .Cinnabar sage is used to improve circulation, stimulate immunity and is also used for treating premenstrual syndrome. Cinnabar sage is used in Chinese hospitals in injectable foml for emergency treatment of heart attacks due to coronary thrombosis. Purple nutsedge is used for irregular menses, breast tenderness, uterine spasms, anxiety , irritability and a number of other complaints.