Sun Guangrong, a distinguished TCM master and clinical practitioner, is known for his contributions to TCM literature and culture, and is one of the founders of modern distance education in TCM. He established the “Zhonghe Thought, Zhonghe Differentiation, Zhonghe Formulation,” which is praised by his disciples and patients as the Zhonghe School of Medicine. He specializes in treating brain diseases, tumors, spleen and stomach disorders, and gynecological diseases, and has profound research in emotional disorders and TCM health preservation, having published over 12 million words in papers and books.
Sun’s Formula for Strengthening the Body and Expelling Pathogens: Zhonghe Decoction
Ingredients: Sheng Shai Shen (Raw Sun Ginseng) 10g, Sheng Huangqi (Raw Astragalus) 15g, Zi Danshen (Purple Salvia) 10g, Bei Chaihu (Northern Bupleurum) 12g, Chuan Yujin (Sichuan Curcuma) 12g, Zhi Xiangfu (Processed Cyperus) 12g, Fa Banxia (Processed Pinellia) 10g, Guang Chenpi (Wide Tangerine Peel) 10g, Dan Huangqin (Light Scutellaria) 10g, Da Hongzao (Large Red Dates) 10g, Sheng Jiang Pian (Fresh Ginger Slices) 10g, Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice) 5g.
Formula Verse: Strengthen the body and expel pathogens, the essence of Zhonghe; adjust and apply Xiao Chaihu (Minor Bupleurum), tonify Qi and invigorate blood with Shen, Huangqi, and Danshen, combined with Yujin, Xiangfu, and Chen.
Indications: This formula has the effects of tonifying Qi and invigorating blood, strengthening the body and expelling pathogens, soothing the liver and relieving depression, and harmonizing the Shaoyang. It is indicated for conditions of excess pathogens and weak righteousness, liver Qi stagnation, and Shaoyang disharmony. Symptoms include fever, persistent low-grade fever, alternating chills and fever, irritability, chest fullness, nausea or vomiting, bitter mouth, fatigue, lack of speech, loss of appetite, red or pale red tongue, yellow or slightly yellow or yellow-white greasy coating, and wiry or thin wiry or slippery or deep wiry pulse.
Dosage and Administration: One dose per day, decocted twice to yield about 500ml, taken in two doses, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Formula Analysis: This formula is a fundamental and commonly used prescription in Sun Guangrong’s clinical practice, representing a classic approach to harmonizing the body. The health of Qi and blood, and the smooth flow of Qi are the cornerstones of a stable state of health. Sun Guangrong believes that the occurrence of diseases is often due to the loss of harmony in Qi and blood, thus harmonizing Qi and blood is a fundamental treatment principle. The formula uses Sheng Shai Shen, Sheng Huangqi, and Zi Danshen as the monarch herbs, which Sun Guangrong refers to as the “Righteousness Strengthening Combination” or “Defensive Enhancement Combination,” based on harmonizing Qi and blood. Sheng Shai Shen is dried mountain ginseng, sweet and slightly bitter, neutral in nature, entering the lung, spleen, and heart meridians, with effects of greatly tonifying Yuan Qi, tonifying the spleen and benefiting the lung, generating fluids, calming the mind, and enhancing intelligence. Sheng Huangqi is sweet and slightly warm, with effects of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the center, lifting Yang and raising the sinking, benefiting the Wei Qi and consolidating the exterior, promoting diuresis, and expelling toxins to promote tissue regeneration. Zi Danshen is bitter and slightly cold, entering the heart, pericardium, and liver meridians, with effects of invigorating blood and regulating menstruation, dispelling stasis and alleviating pain, cooling blood and resolving abscesses, and calming the mind. The combination of these three herbs has the effect of tonifying Qi and invigorating blood. Bei Chaihu, Chuan Yujin, and Zhi Xiangfu are used as minister herbs, referred to by Sun Guangrong as the “Pathogen Attacking Combination.” Chaihu is a specific herb for the Shaoyang meridian, light and dispersing, expelling pathogens and releasing the exterior. Yujin is pungent and bitter, cold in nature, entering the liver, gallbladder, and heart meridians, with effects of invigorating blood and alleviating pain, promoting Qi and relieving depression, cooling the heart and clearing blood heat, and promoting bile flow and reducing jaundice. Xiangfu is pungent, slightly bitter, and slightly sweet, neutral in nature, entering the liver, spleen, and Sanjiao meridians, with effects of soothing the liver and relieving depression, regulating menstruation and alleviating pain, and regulating Qi and harmonizing the middle. The combination of these three herbs has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression. Fa Banxia, Guang Chenpi, and Dan Huangqin are used as assistant herbs, referred to by Sun Guangrong as the “Auxiliary Combination.” Banxia harmonizes the stomach and descends rebellious Qi, disperses lumps and alleviates fullness; Huangqin is bitter and cold, good at clearing Shaoyang fire; Chenpi is pungent and bitter, warm in nature, entering the spleen and lung meridians, with effects of regulating Qi, strengthening the spleen, and drying dampness to transform phlegm. The combination of these three herbs has the effect of clearing heat and transforming phlegm. Da Hongzao, Sheng Jiang Pian, and Sheng Gancao are used as envoy herbs, referred to by Sun Guangrong as the “Coordinating Combination,” which benefits the stomach Qi, generates fluids, and harmonizes the Ying and Wei, playing a role in tonifying, guiding, correcting, and harmonizing. The four groups of herbs together achieve the effects of tonifying Qi and invigorating blood, soothing the liver and relieving depression, clearing heat and transforming phlegm, and harmonizing the Shaoyang.
Modifications and Applications: 1. Acute and chronic cholecystitis: Remove Zhi Xiangfu and Dan Huangqin, add Pu Gongying (Dandelion) 15g, Hai Jinsha (Lygodium) 15g, Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia) 15g. 2. Anorexia: Remove Zhi Xiangfu and Dan Huangqin, add Ji Nei Jin (Chicken Inner Gold) 6g, Chao Gu Ya (Fried Barley Sprouts) 15g, Chao Mai Ya (Fried Malt) 15g, and if there is dryness in the throat, add Jin Shi Hu (Dendrobium) 15g. 3. Depression: Remove Zhi Xiangfu and Dan Huangqin, add Zhi Yuanzhi (Processed Polygala) 10g, Shi Changpu (Acorus) 10g; if the tongue coating is white and greasy, add Peilan Ye (Plantago) 6g. 4. Acute liver damage: Remove Zhi Xiangfu, add Tian Ji Huang (Corydalis) 15g, Pu Gongying 15g, and Ji Gu Cao (Chicken Bone Grass) 15g; if there is fullness in the middle Jiao, add Ge Shan Xiao (Ge Shan Herb) 10g.
Precautions: 1. This formula is a fundamental prescription based on the Zhonghe academic thought, and the above-mentioned diseases can be modified based on this formula, similar to Zhang Zhongjing’s advice on Xiao Chaihu Decoction, where one should only see one syndrome and not require all symptoms to be present. 2. The Huangqi in the formula refers to Sheng Huangqi, and the Gancao refers to Sheng Gancao.
*The herbs mentioned in this article should be used under the guidance of a physician.
Compiled by Liu Yingke, Hepingli Hospital, Beijing
Editor: Zhu Luyun