1.【Ren Shen Tang】(Ginseng Decoction)Ingredients: Ren Shen (Ginseng) 30g, Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon, remove heart, roasted) 30g, Sheng Gan Di Huang (Rehmannia, roasted) 30g, Dang Gui (Angelica, sliced, stir-fried) 30g, Shao Yao (Peony) 30g, Huang Qi (Astragalus, crushed) 30g, Bai Fu Ling (Poria, remove black skin) 30g, Gan Cao (Licorice, roasted) 30g.Usage: Grind the above eight herbs into a coarse powder. Take 9g with 150ml of water, decoct until 100ml remains, strain, and take warm on an empty stomach.Indications: For women after childbirth with excessive bleeding, palpitations, dizziness, or abdominal distension and pain, either cold or hot. Also known as Li Zhong Tang (Regulating Middle Decoction), the formula includes Ren Shen (or Dang Shen), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Gan Cao, and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) for treating stomach cold. What is stomach cold? Those who cannot tolerate cold drinks, cold food, fruits, or cold dishes belong to stomach cold. If they force themselves to eat, they may experience stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and other symptoms caused by stomach cold, which can be cured by this formula.2.【Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang】(Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Heart)Ingredients: Ban Xia (Pinellia) 12g (washed), Huang Qin (Scutellaria) 9g, Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) 9g, Ren Shen (Ginseng) 9g, Gan Cao (Licorice, roasted) 9g, Huang Lian (Coptis) 3g, Da Zao (Jujube) 12 pieces (split).Usage: Combine the seven ingredients with 1 liter of water, decoct to obtain 600ml, strain, then decoct again to obtain 300ml, and take warm in two doses.Function: Balances cold and heat to harmonize Yin and Yang, combining tonification and purging to address both deficiency and excess. Symptoms include fullness below the heart without pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and a greasy yellow tongue coating. Cold and heat mixed, leading to disordered gastrointestinal function.Indications: For mixed cold-heat patterns with fullness below the heart, fullness without pain, vomiting, rumbling in the intestines, and diarrhea, with a greasy and slightly yellow tongue coating. The formula includes Ban Xia, Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Ren Shen, Gan Jiang, Gan Cao, and Da Zao, used for treating stomach heat, contrasting with Li Zhong Tang, indicated for heat above, fullness in the middle, and cold below (vomiting and intestinal rumbling, fullness below the heart).3.【Chai Gui Tang】(Bupleurum and Cinnamon Decoction)Prescription: Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 3g, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 1.5g, Hua Fen (Pollen) 0.5g, Mu Li (Oyster Shell) 0.2g, Pao Jiang (Roasted Ginger) 0.2g, Zhi Cao (Roasted Licorice) 0.2g.Function and Indications: For women with febrile diseases, experiencing alternating chills and fever like malaria, and mania.Usage: Decoction in water. Sweating leads to recovery.This is a combination of Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Gui Zhi Tang, used for treating external diseases with Tai Yang and Shao Yang syndromes. Notably, this formula can also treat stomach pain. Japanese herbalist Yasuji Michi used this formula with Mu Li and Xiao Hui Xiang to treat stomach pain, achieving remarkable results regardless of deficiency or excess, cold or heat.4.【Wu Ling San】(Five-Ingredient Powder)Ingredients: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 9g, Zhu Ling (Polyporus) 9g, Ze Xie (Alisma) 15g, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 9g, Fu Ling (Poria) 9g.Usage: Grind into a powder, take with warm water, 6g each time, three times a day, and drink plenty of warm water to induce sweating for recovery.Function: Promotes urination and resolves dampness, warms Yang and transforms Qi.Pathogenesis: Tai Yang exterior pathogen unresolved, internally transmitted to the Tai Yang bladder.This classic formula is used for water metabolism disorders, indicated by symptoms such as thirst, watery diarrhea, and difficulty urinating. The formation of Wu Ling San syndrome in modern individuals is often related to excessive use of antibiotics, hormones, chemotherapy drugs, and overly greasy diets. Additionally, excessive food additives like MSG can also lead to this syndrome.5.【Ban Xia Hou Po Tang】(Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction)Overview: 【Alias】Hou Po Tang, Da Qi Qi Tang, Si Qi Tang, Hou Po Ban Xia Tang, Qi Qi Tang, Si Qi Yin.【Source】From the “Jin Gui Yao Lue” Volume 2.【Ingredients】Ban Xia 130g, Hou Po 45g, Fu Ling 60g, Sheng Jiang 75g, Su Ye 30g.【Function Song】Ban Xia Hou Po relieves phlegm and Qi stagnation, Fu Ling and Sheng Jiang together with Zi Su, add dates to decoct named Si Qi, phlegm and Qi stagnation can all be eliminated.【Indications】For women with a sensation of a lump in the throat; emotions of joy, anger, sadness, thought, worry, fear, and shock lead to phlegm and saliva, resembling broken cotton or plum kernels in the throat, difficult to cough out or swallow, caused by the seven emotions; or fullness in the middle abdomen, Qi not flowing smoothly, or phlegm and saliva obstructing, causing shortness of breath; or due to phlegm and fluid accumulation, nausea and vomiting. Tongue coating is white and moist or white and greasy, pulse is wiry and slow or wiry and slippery.【Function】Regulates Qi, disperses lumps, and descends rebellious Qi to transform phlegm.【Usage】Use 7 liters of water, decoct to obtain 4 liters, divide into four warm doses, three times a day. [Note: This formula is from Zhang Zhongjing, using pre-Han measurement units, 1 liter of water = 200ml, 1 liter of Ban Xia = 130g, 1 tael = 15g.]【Notes】Hou Po Tang (“Sheng Ji Zong Lu” Volume 124), Da Qi Qi Tang (“San Yin” Volume 8), Si Qi Tang, Hou Po Ban Xia Tang (“Yi Jian Fang”), Qi Qi Tang (“Zhi Zhi” Volume 5), Si Qi Yin (“Xing Yuan” Volume 4).Ingredients: Ban Xia, Hou Po, Fu Ling, Su Ye, Sheng Jiang. Historically used to treat “plum kernel Qi”. The disease location is often in the throat, and the nature of the disease is often a subjective abnormality. Da Zong Jingjie states that the feeling of sudden heart tightening is often a symptom of this formula, which is difficult to understand at times; can it be interpreted as a sensitive, timid subjective symptom? Or an extension of throat discomfort? This formula combined with Si Ni San serves as a depression-relieving decoction, combined with Zhi Zi Lian Qiao Tang + Huang Qin for a clearing formula. This formula’s symptoms often primarily manifest as mental discomfort, while the physical constitution is often relatively good.6.【Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang】(Peony and Licorice Decoction)Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang – Alias: Wu Ji Tang (“Zheng Yin Mai Zhi” Volume 4).Ingredients: Shao Yao 12g, Gan Cao 12g.Usage: Combine the two ingredients with 600ml of water, decoct to obtain 300ml, strain, and take warm.Function: Harmonizes the liver and spleen, alleviates pain and spasms.Indications: For cold damage, injury to Yin, tendons and meridians losing moisture, leg cramps, irritability, slight aversion to cold, disharmony between liver and spleen, abdominal pain. Currently used for calf muscle cramps, intercostal neuralgia, gastric spasms, stomach pain, abdominal pain, sciatica, gynecological inflammatory abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea; as well as duodenal ulcers, atrophic gastritis, gastrointestinal neurosis, acute mastitis, cervical spondylosis, etc., attributed to Yin blood deficiency and liver-spleen disharmony.Discussion: This formula primarily treats symptoms caused by fluid loss and Yin blood deficiency, leading to tendon and meridian dryness. Shao Yao is sour and cold, nourishing blood and astringing Yin, softening the liver and alleviating pain; Gan Cao is sweet and warm, strengthening the spleen and benefiting Qi, alleviating pain. The two herbs work together, sour and sweet harmonizing Yin, regulating the liver and spleen, effectively softening tendons and alleviating pain.Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang – Experimental Research: Antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Anhui Medical College “Acute Abdominal Syndrome Data” 1977: 74, this formula has a strong inhibitory and sedative effect on abnormal excitatory states. Among them, Shao Yao has a sedative effect on the pain center and spinal reflex arc, thus treating central or peripheral muscle spasms and pain caused by spasms. The components in Shao Yao and Gan Cao have sedative, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and smooth muscle relaxing effects, and their combined use significantly enhances these effects.Also known as Qu Zhuang Tang, it can treat cramps and all spasmodic pain. It can also treat senile constipation, with stools hard as chestnuts. It can even treat liver cirrhosis (patients with hard stools and easy leg cramps). This formula can be used independently or more often as a component in many classic formulas such as Gui Zhi Tang, Si Ni San, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, Xiao Qing Long Tang, Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, Ge Gen Tang, Huang Qin Tang, Wen Jing Tang, Shu Yu Wan, Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan, Wu Tou Tang, Ben Tun Tang, Qiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang, Ma Huang Sheng Ma Tang, Gan Sui Ban Xia Tang, Wang Bu Liu Xing San, Shao Yao Gan Cao Fu Zi Tang.7.【Xiao Qing Long Tang】(Minor Blue Dragon Decoction)Xiao Qing Long Tang – Basic Introduction【Source】From “Shang Han Lun” “If the exterior of a cold damage does not resolve, and there is water Qi below the heart, dry retching, fever and cough, or thirst, or diarrhea, or difficulty urinating, fullness in the lower abdomen, or wheezing, Xiao Qing Long Tang is indicated.”【Ingredients】Ma Huang (Ephedra, remove joints) 9g, Shao Yao 9g, Xi Xin (Asarum) 6g, Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) 6g, Gan Cao (Licorice, roasted) 6g, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, remove skin) 9g, Ban Xia (Pinellia, washed) 9g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 6g.【Usage】Combine the eight ingredients with 1 dou (approximately 10 liters) of water, first decoct Ma Huang, reduce by 2 sheng (approximately 300ml), remove the foam, add the other herbs, decoct to obtain 3 sheng (approximately 450ml), strain, and take warm 1 sheng (approximately 150ml).Formula Characteristics: Dispels and collects, resolving both exterior and interior. In clinical practice, if the exterior symptoms are not obvious, Gui Zhi can be omitted and replaced with roasted Ma Huang.Pathogenesis: Wind-cold externally binding, water and fluid internally stagnating.Key Diagnostic Points: Aversion to cold, fever, no sweating, wheezing, cough with thin and clear phlegm, white and slippery tongue coating.Xiao Qing Long Tang – Formula Introduction: Xiao Qing Long disperses water to resolve Yin cold, like a dragon rolling waves and returning to the sea. It is composed of Ma Huang (remove joints), Shao Yao, Xi Xin, Gan Jiang, Wu Wei Zi, and Ban Xia, with the composition being: Ma Huang (remove joints) 9g, Shao Yao 9g, Xi Xin, Gan Jiang, Gan Cao (roasted) 6g, Gui Zhi (remove skin) 9g, Wu Wei Zi 6g, Ban Xia 9g (washed). Combine the eight ingredients with 1 dou of water, first decoct Ma Huang, reduce by 2 sheng, remove the foam, add the other herbs, decoct to obtain 3 sheng, strain, and take warm 1 sheng.Xiao Qing Long Tang – Indications and Efficacy: Efficacy: Releases the exterior, disperses cold, warms the lungs, and resolves fluid retention.Indications: For wind-cold invading the exterior, with internal water retention. Symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, no sweating, wheezing, cough with thin and clear phlegm, or cough with phlegm and wheezing, difficulty lying flat, or heaviness in the body, swelling of the head, face, and limbs, white and slippery tongue coating, and floating pulse.(1) Used for wind-cold colds. This product has a pungent flavor that disperses, and its nature is warm, dispersing cold, mainly entering the lung and bladder meridians, functioning to open the pores, release the exterior, and disperse wind-cold, making it a key herb for dispersing wind-cold, thus often used for external wind-cold, aversion to cold without sweating, fever, headache, and floating and tight pulse, indicating a severe cold syndrome, often used with Gui Zhi.(2) Used for cough and wheezing. This product has a pungent and bitter flavor, warming and unblocking, entering the lung meridian, externally dispersing wind-cold, internally opening and promoting lung Qi, having a good effect on relieving cough and wheezing, suitable for wind-cold binding, lung Qi stagnation with wheezing and cough, often combined with Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel) and Gan Cao, such as in San Ao Tang. In addition, this product combined with Xi Xin, Gan Jiang, and Ban Xia can also treat cold phlegm retention, cough and wheezing, with thin and clear phlegm, as in Xiao Qing Long Tang. If there is lung heat with high fever and wheezing, it is often used with Shi Gao (Gypsum), Xing Ren, and Gan Cao to clear the lung and relieve wheezing, as in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang.(3) Used for wind-water edema. This product opens lung Qi above and drains the bladder below, being a key herb for promoting urination. For wind pathogens attacking the exterior, with lung Qi failing to disperse, leading to edema and difficulty urinating, it is often used with Gan Cao, as in Gan Cao Ma Huang Tang; if there is internal heat and spleen deficiency, it can be combined with Shi Gao, Sheng Jiang, Gan Cao, and Bai Zhu.(4) Additionally, taking Ma Huang to disperse cold and unblock, it can treat wind-cold bi syndrome, Yin sores, and phlegm nodules.“Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”: Ma Huang is bitter and warm. It is indicated for wind stroke, cold damage, headache, warming malaria, releasing the exterior to induce sweating, expelling evil heat, stopping cough and counterflow Qi, eliminating cold and heat, and breaking up stagnant masses.“Ming Yi Bie Lu”: Slightly warm, non-toxic. Indications: [1]Xiao Qing Long Tang – Source of Xiao Qing Long Tang: Xiao Qing Long Tang originates from the Han Dynasty text “Shang Han Lun” by Zhang Zhongjing, with the efficacy of releasing the exterior, dispersing cold, and warming the lungs to transform fluids. It is indicated for external wind-cold and internal fluid retention. In “Shang Han Lun” section 40: “If the exterior of a cold damage does not resolve, and there is water Qi below the heart, dry retching, or cough, or difficulty urinating, Xiao Qing Long Tang is indicated.” Section 41: “If the exterior of a cold damage has water Qi below the heart, cough and slight wheezing, fever without thirst, this is the cold wanting to resolve, Xiao Qing Long Tang is indicated.” Xiao Qing Long Tang is indicated for both exterior cold and internal fluid retention, named Qing Long, taking the meaning of the eastern wood god subduing evil. When the dragon rises, it brings rain and abundance.Indications for external cold and internal fluid. The indications for medication are: cold cough and wheezing, with watery clear nasal discharge, foamy phlegm, white and slippery tongue coating, and moist pulse. Da Zong Jingjie believes that diseases called overflow fluid include modern rheumatoid arthritis, and Xiao Qing Long Tang or Xiao Qing Long plus Shi Gao Tang have successfully cured many cases of knee joint, elbow joint, and wrist joint swelling and effusion. The blue dragon can treat water but can also harm people; this formula should not be taken for long periods, and it is generally used with Ling Gan Decoction for follow-up treatment.8.【Xiao Chai Hu Tang】(Minor Bupleurum Decoction)From Ming Dynasty’s Fang Xian’s “Remarkable Effective Formulas”: Xiao Chai Hu Tang.Prescription: Chai Hu (3 qian), Ren Shen (2 qian), Huang Qin (2 qian), Ban Xia (1.5 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian).Function and Indications: Treats cold damage, alternating chills and fever, fullness and pain in the chest and diaphragm, difficulty urinating, and constipation.Usage: Combine into one dose, with 2 cups of water, 3 slices of ginger, and 2 pieces of red dates, decoct until 1 cup remains, take at any time.Excerpt: Ming Dynasty Fang Xian’s “Remarkable Effective Formulas” “Shang Han Lun”: Xiao Chai Hu Tang.Prescription: Chai Hu 12g, Huang Qin 9g, Ren Shen 6g, Ban Xia (washed) 9g, Gan Cao (roasted) 5g, Sheng Jiang (sliced) 9g, Da Zao (split) 4 pieces.Function and Indications: Harmonizes and resolves Shao Yang. Treats cold damage with Shao Yang syndrome. Symptoms include alternating chills and fever, fullness and pain in the chest and diaphragm, aversion to food and drink, irritability, preference for vomiting, bitter mouth, dry throat, dizziness; for women with cold damage, heat entering the blood chamber; malaria, jaundice, and mixed internal injuries presenting with Shao Yang syndrome.Usage: Combine the seven ingredients with 1.2 liters of water, decoct to obtain 600ml, strain, then decoct again to obtain 300ml, divide into two warm doses.If there is irritability in the chest without vomiting, remove Ban Xia and Ren Shen, and add 1 piece of Guo Lou; if thirsty, remove Ban Xia and Ren Shen, and add 9g of Guo Lou root; if there is abdominal pain, remove Huang Qin and add 9g of Shao Yao; if there is fullness in the hypochondrium, remove Da Zao and add 12g of Mu Li; if there is palpitations and difficulty urinating, remove Huang Qin and add 12g of Fu Ling; if there is no thirst and slight heat on the exterior, remove Ren Shen and add 6g of Gui Zhi, and a slight sweat will lead to recovery; if there is coughing, remove Ren Shen, Da Zao, and Sheng Jiang, and add 5g of Wu Wei Zi and 5g of Gan Jiang.Notes: In this formula, Chai Hu clears the Shao Yang and dispels the half-exterior evil, resolving it from the outside; Huang Qin clears and drains the half-interior heat as the minister; Ren Shen and Gan Cao tonify Qi and support the righteous, while Ban Xia descends and harmonizes as the assistant; Sheng Jiang aids Ban Xia in harmonizing the stomach, and Da Zao assists Ren and Cao in tonifying Qi. The combination of all herbs works together to harmonize and resolve Shao Yang.This formula is a representative formula for harmonizing and resolving, treating Shao Yang disease. Symptoms of “alternating chills and fever,” “fullness and pain in the chest and diaphragm,” “irritability and preference for vomiting,” and “silent aversion to food and drink” are the four main symptoms of Xiao Chai Hu Tang, and its application range is extremely broad, treating hepatitis, cholecystitis, mumps, lymphadenitis, neurogenic anorexia, and long-term low fever. Da Zong Jingjie successfully cured a case of “ghost shaving head” using this formula based on fullness and pain in the chest and diaphragm, with hair regrowth as before. This formula can also be used as a medicine to improve constitution. The key to correctly using this formula is to determine whether the patient has a “Chai Hu constitution” and whether there is a “Chai Hu syndrome.”9.【Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan】(Cinnamon and Poria Pill)Formula Name: Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Alias: Duoming Wan, Mu Dan Wan, Duoming Dan, Xian Chuan Bao Ming Dan, An Zhang Wan).Ingredients: Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Mu Dan (remove heart), Tao Ren (remove skin tip, boil), Shao Yao, all equal parts.Source of Prescription: From “Jin Gui” Volume 2.Indications (“Jin Gui Yao Lue * Women’s Pregnancy Disease” original text): For women with chronic symptoms, menstruation interrupted for less than three months, experiencing continuous bleeding, fetal movement above the navel, this is a chronic symptom. If bleeding occurs in the sixth month of pregnancy, and the first three months of menstruation were timely, the fetus is viable. If bleeding occurs, it is due to the previous interruption. Therefore, if the bleeding does not stop, the symptoms must be eliminated, and Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is indicated.Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan Formula: Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Mu Dan (remove heart), Tao Ren (remove skin tip, boil), Shao Yao, all equal parts.Grind the five ingredients into a powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of rabbit droppings, take one pill before meals daily. If unknown, increase to three pills.Function of the Formula: Eliminates symptoms, transforms stasis, and harmonizes Qi and blood.Function Song: Jin Gui Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, Tao Ren and Shao Yao harmonize with Mu Dan, equal parts ground into honey pills, gradually dissolve symptoms and stabilize the fetus.Main Efficacy: Invigorates blood, transforms stasis, and eliminates symptoms. Used for women with chronic masses, or blood stasis causing menstrual obstruction, abdominal pain during menstruation, and postpartum lochia not expelling.Indications: Invigorates blood, transforms stasis, and eliminates symptoms. Used for women with chronic masses, or blood stasis causing menstrual obstruction, abdominal pain during menstruation, and postpartum lochia not expelling. Clears heat and detoxifies, eliminates inflammation and stops discharge, regulates menstruation and alleviates pain. Used for abdominal pain and diarrhea, food stagnation, acid regurgitation, nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, indigestion, motion sickness, seasonal colds, fever, and headache.This formula is a representative formula for invigorating blood and transforming stasis. Patients who can use this formula generally show noticeable changes in the face, abdomen, and legs. The complexion is often red or dark red, with dark circles under the eyes, dark red lips, and a dark purple or dull tongue; the lower abdomen is full, with resistance upon touch, and most complaints are accompanied by tenderness; the skin is dry and prone to scaling, especially noticeable on the lower limbs, with coldness below the knees, prone to frostbite, and cracked soles or corns. The diagnosis of leg symptoms is the most significant, being a necessary indication.10.【Tao He Cheng Qi Tang】(Peach Kernel Decoction to Order Qi)Tao He Cheng Qi Tang – Ingredients: Tao Ren 50 pieces (remove skin, tip), Gui Zhi 6g (remove skin), Da Huang 12g, Gan Cao 6g (roasted), Mang Xiao 6g.Usage: Combine the five ingredients with 700ml of water, decoct the first four ingredients to obtain 300ml, strain, add Mang Xiao, and boil slightly, take 100ml on an empty stomach, three times a day. When there is slight benefit.Pathogenesis: The Tai Yang pathogen transforms into heat and transmits to the organ, clashing with blood, resulting in accumulation in the lower jiao.Indications: For acute pelvic inflammatory disease, retained placenta, intestinal obstruction, etc., attributed to stasis heat accumulation in the lower jiao.Function: Breaks blood and drains stasis.Indications: For stasis heat accumulating in the lower jiao, with urgent lower abdominal distension, dark stools, and spontaneous urination, severe cases may present with delirium and thirst, with symptoms resembling mania, and fever at night, along with blood stasis causing menstrual obstruction, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum lochia not expelling.Function Song: Tao He Cheng Qi uses Xiao Huang, Gui Zhi and Gan Cao combined; for stasis in the lower jiao, urgent decoction relieves night heat and mania.Discussion: The power of Tao Ren breaks blood and promotes stasis, while Da Huang drains stasis and clears heat; these two herbs work together to eliminate stasis heat in the lower jiao, serving as the monarch; Gui Zhi invigorates blood and unblocks channels, while Mang Xiao clears heat and softens hardness, serving as the minister; roasted Gan Cao harmonizes and moderates the harshness of Da Huang, serving as the assistant. The combination of all herbs works together to achieve the effect of breaking blood and draining stasis.This formula is a representative formula for driving out stasis blood, used for excess heat and blood stasis in the upper jiao. Notably, those with significant tenderness in the lower abdomen, along with restlessness, delirium, and other similar mental states, are most suitable for this formula. The formula is composed of the three key ingredients: Tao Ren, Gui Zhi, and Da Huang, which are the three swords for draining stasis blood.11.【Dang Gui Shao Yao San】(Angelica and Peony Powder)【Ingredients】Dang Gui 9g, Shao Yao 30g, Fu Ling 12g, Bai Zhu 12g, Ze Xie 15g, Chuan Xiong 9g.【Alias】Changed to pill form “Liu Qi Jing Wei Wan” (see “Yuan He Ji Yong Jing”); changed to tablet form, named “Dang Gui Shao Yao Pian” (see “Chongqing City Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulation Standards”).【Source】From “Jin Gui Yao Lue” Volume 2.【Function】Soothes the liver, strengthens the spleen, invigorates blood, transforms stasis, and promotes dampness.【Indications】For women during pregnancy, with liver Qi stagnation, spleen deficiency, and dampness predominating, leading to abdominal pain. Currently used for functional edema in women, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, functional uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, appendicitis during pregnancy, as well as chronic nephritis, ascites due to liver cirrhosis, and hyperfunction of the spleen, attributed to spleen deficiency and liver Qi stagnation.【Usage】Combine the six ingredients, grind into a powder. Take 6g with warm wine three times a day. (Can also be decocted.)【Notes】This formula primarily treats women with liver deficiency and Qi stagnation, spleen deficiency and blood deficiency, and disharmony between the liver and spleen. It emphasizes the use of Shao Yao to restrain the liver and alleviate pain, while Bai Zhu and Fu Ling strengthen the spleen and benefit Qi, combined with Ze Xie to promote dampness and drain, assisting Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong in nourishing blood. The combination of all herbs works together to harmonize the liver and spleen, tonifying deficiency and promoting dampness.【Adverse Reactions】 Long-term use of this formula may lead to a few patients experiencing oral ulcers, dry mouth, and discomfort in the stomach.This formula is used to treat deficiency syndromes in gynecological diseases, contrasting with the excess syndrome of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan and Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, where patients present with lower abdominal pain (prefer warmth and pressure), pale complexion without blood color, and signs of edema or facial spots. In Japan, this formula is praised as the “sacred medicine for women.” This formula consists of three blood-invigorating herbs and three damp-promoting herbs, targeting blood circulation disorders and the resulting fluid retention. Women are prone to excessive bleeding, thus blood deficiency is the root cause, while blood stagnation leads to fluid retention, hence this formula treats both root and branch.12.【Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang】(Chuanxiong and Ai Ye Decoction)Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Source: “Jin Gui Yao Lue” Volume 2.Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Alias: Jiao Ai Tang (“Jin Gui Yao Lue” Volume 2), Jiao Ai Si Wu Tang (“Yao Yi Ru Men” Volume 8).Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Ingredients: Chuanxiong 6g, Ejiao 6g, Gan Cao 6g, Ai Ye 9g, Dang Gui 9g, Sheng Di Huang 18g.Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Usage: Combine the seven ingredients, except for Ejiao, with 1 liter of water and 600ml of clear wine, decoct to obtain 600ml, strain, and dissolve Ejiao, taking 200ml three times a day; if not cured, repeat.Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Function: Nourishes blood, stops bleeding, regulates menstruation, and calms the fetus.Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Indications: For women with deficiency of Chong and Ren, with bleeding, excessive menstruation, or continuous bleeding; postpartum or post-abortion damage to Chong and Ren, with persistent bleeding; or pregnancy with fetal obstruction, leading to bleeding and abdominal pain. Currently used for functional uterine bleeding, threatened abortion, incomplete abortion, and postpartum uterine recovery issues.Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang – Discussion: In this formula, Ejiao nourishes blood and moistens Yin, calming and stopping bleeding, while Ai Ye warms the meridians and stops bleeding, calming and relieving pain, serving as the monarch; Dang Gui, Shao Yao, Di Huang, and Chuanxiong are the later generations of Si Wu Tang, nourishing and harmonizing blood, regulating and tonifying Chong and Ren, serving as ministerial and assistant herbs; Gan Cao strengthens the spleen and harmonizes, combined with Shao Yao to alleviate pain, and works well with Ejiao to stop bleeding. The combination of all herbs focuses on nourishing blood and stopping bleeding, while also regulating menstruation and calming the fetus.Indications for bleeding and excessive menstruation. The formula consists of Dang Gui, Chuanxiong, Ai Ye, Ejiao, Sheng Di Huang, Shao Yao, and Gan Cao. However, according to Japanese scholars, the original formula should consist of four ingredients, and experimental studies have shown that the four-ingredient formula has a higher clinical efficacy than the seven-ingredient formula. Mr. Fei Weiguang believes that the four-ingredient formula is the king of hemostatic agents, and he has never seen it fail to treat bleeding symptoms.13.【Wen Jing Tang】(Warm the Meridians Decoction)Wen Jing Tang – Alias: Qian Jin Tiao Jing San (“Wan Bing Hui Chun” Volume 6).Wen Jing Tang – Ingredients: Wu Zhu Yu 9g, Dang Gui 9g, Shao Yao 6g, Chuanxiong 6g, Ren Shen 6g, Gui Zhi 6g, Ejiao 9g, Mu Dan Pi (remove heart) 6g, Sheng Jiang 6g, Gan Cao 6g, Ban Xia 6g, Mai Men Dong (remove heart) 9g.Wen Jing Tang – Usage: Combine the twelve ingredients with 1 liter of water, decoct to obtain 300ml, strain, and take in two warm doses.Wen Jing Tang – Pathogenesis: Deficiency cold in Chong and Ren, with blood stasis obstructing the uterus.Wen Jing Tang – Key Diagnostic Points: Irregular menstruation, cold pain in the lower abdomen, presence of blood clots, and occasional heat.Wen Jing Tang – Formula Characteristics: Combines warming, clearing, and tonifying, but primarily focuses on warming and clearing.Wen Jing Tang – Modern Application: Functional uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, dysmenorrhea, infertility, etc., attributed to deficiency cold in Chong and Ren, with blood stasis obstructing the uterus.Wen Jing Tang – Function: Warms the meridians, disperses cold, nourishes blood, and eliminates stasis.Wen Jing Tang – Indications: Deficiency cold in Chong and Ren, with blood stasis obstructing, irregular menstruation, or early or late menstruation, or prolonged menstruation, or missed periods, with evening fever, hot palms and soles, dry lips and mouth; or cold pain in the lower abdomen, with difficulty conceiving. This formula is a regulating and beautifying formula for women. Suitable for individuals who are thin or emaciated, with dry and lackluster skin; dry and shriveled lips; dry, yellow, and brittle hair; cold pain or bloating in the lower abdomen; dry and cracked hands and feet, or feeling hot; or experiencing irregular menstruation or amenorrhea, or difficulty conceiving; or prone to insomnia and irritability. This formula can be made into a paste for long-term use.14.【Mai Men Dong Tang】(Ophiopogon Decoction)Mai Men Dong Tang – Ingredients: Mai Men Dong 60g, Ban Xia 9g, Ren Shen 6g, Gan Cao 4g, Jing Mi 6g, Da Zao 12 pieces.Mai Men Dong Tang – Usage: Combine the six ingredients with 1.2 liters of water, decoct to obtain 600ml, and take in three warm doses.Mai Men Dong Tang – Function: Nourishes the lungs and stomach, descends rebellious Qi, and harmonizes.Mai Men Dong Tang – Indications: For deficiency heat in the lungs, with cough and wheezing, throat discomfort, phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, or cough with sputum, dry mouth and throat, heat in the palms and soles, red tongue with little coating, and weak rapid pulse.Mai Men Dong Tang – Pathogenesis: Stomach Yin deficiency, with deficiency fire rising, burning the lung Yin, and rebellious Qi rising.Mai Men Dong Tang – Formula Characteristics: Contains few acrid and drying ingredients; nourishes the earth to generate metal.Mai Men Dong Tang – Key Diagnostic Points: Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, chronic pharyngitis, or chronic atrophic gastritis attributed to stomach Yin deficiency, with Qi rising and vomiting.This formula is traditionally used to treat lung and stomach Yin deficiency, cough with rebellious Qi, and dry cough without phlegm. The original formula has a dominant amount of Mai Men Dong, with a ratio of 7:1 with Ban Xia. “Ben Jing” states that Mai Men Dong treats “thinness and shortness of breath”; if the stomach Yin is deficient, it will not accept food, leading to muscle atrophy and thinness over time. Therefore, Dr. Huang Huang uses this formula to treat diseases characterized by thinness and muscle atrophy, such as esophageal cancer and cardia cancer, where symptoms include reduced appetite and weight loss, using this formula for treatment.15.【Hou Po Ma Huang Tang】(Magnolia Bark and Ephedra Decoction)Hou Po Ma Huang Tang – Alias: Hou Po Shi Gao Tang (“Sheng Ji Zong Lu” Volume 67).Hou Po Ma Huang Tang – Ingredients: Hou Po 5 taels, Ma Huang 4 taels, Shi Gao the size of a chicken egg, Xing Ren half a sheng, Ban Xia half a sheng, Gan Jiang 2 taels, Xi Xin 2 taels, Xiao Mai 1 sheng, Wu Wei Zi half a sheng.Hou Po Ma Huang Tang – Usage: Combine the nine ingredients with 1.2 liters of water, first decoct the wheat until cooked, strain, add the other herbs, decoct to obtain 700ml, and take 100ml warm three times a day.Hou Po Ma Huang Tang – Indications: For cough with floating pulse.Hou Po Ma Huang Tang – Clinical Application: Cough: Patient Zhu, suffering from cough, aversion to cold, headache, chest fullness, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and thirst, with a floating and weak pulse. After taking three doses of Hou Po Ma Huang Tang from “Jin Gui,” the wheezing and fullness improved, the exterior pathogen resolved, and thirst stopped. After two more doses, all symptoms disappeared.This formula is described very briefly in “Jin Gui,” so there are not many clinical cases using this formula. However, Mr. Fei Weiguang believes that this formula is particularly effective for patients with breathing difficulties and cough. It can treat emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and patients who experience wheezing and difficulty breathing, which can only be relieved by taking theophylline, showing excellent efficacy.16.【Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang】(Poria, Cinnamon, Atractylodes, and Licorice Decoction)Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang – Usage: Combine the four ingredients with six liters of water, decoct to obtain three liters, strain, and take warm in three doses (modern usage: decoct in water).Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang – Function: Warms Yang, transforms fluids, strengthens the spleen, and promotes dampness.Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang – Indications: For phlegm-dampness due to deficiency of middle Yang. Symptoms include fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, white and slippery tongue coating, and wiry or tight pulse. Mainly used for treating dizziness caused by various reasons, chronic bronchitis, asthma, congestive heart failure, ulcer disease, neurogenic vomiting, gastrointestinal neurosis, chronic nephritis, arthritis, etc.Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang – Pathological Analysis: Deficiency of middle Yang leads to poor transportation, resulting in dampness and phlegm. Phlegm and dampness follow Qi’s rise and fall, and when they stagnate in the chest and hypochondrium, it leads to fullness; when they obstruct the middle, clear Yang fails to rise, leading to dizziness; when they rise to the lungs and heart, it causes palpitations and shortness of breath; white and slippery tongue coating and wiry or tight pulse are signs of internal stagnation of phlegm and dampness.Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang – Formula Explanation: The phlegm and dampness treated by this formula are due to deficiency of middle Yang, and the treatment should focus on warming and transforming fluids. In this formula, Fu Ling strengthens the spleen, drains dampness, and promotes urination; Gui Zhi warms Yang and descends Qi, assisting Fu Ling in transforming fluids; Bai Zhu strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, ensuring the middle is well-functioning, thus eliminating water and dampness; roasted Gan Cao strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the other herbs.This formula is indicated for phlegm-dampness due to deficiency of middle Yang, with a wide range of applications, treating dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, chronic gastric diseases, etc. The dizziness indicated by this formula has a significant positional characteristic, where dizziness occurs upon standing and alleviates when lying down. For those who need to take a deep breath after a short period of activity, this formula is effective. Water retention in the stomach often leads to eye diseases; Dr. Lu Yuanlei used this formula with Che Qian Zi to treat patients with red, painful eyes and excessive tears with remarkable results.17.【Pai Nong San】(Pus-Draining Powder)Pai Nong San – Alias: Si Wei Pai Nong San (“Jing Yue Quan Shu” Volume 64).Pai Nong San – Ingredients: Huang Qi (saltwater mixed, stir-fried), Bai Zhi, Wu Wei Zi (ground, stir-fried), Ren Shen, all equal parts.Pai Nong San – Usage: Grind into a fine powder. Take 9g after meals with honey water.Pai Nong San – Function: Benefits Qi and drains pus.Pai Nong San – Indications: For lung abscess with pus, cough with obstruction, and five hearts feeling hot.This formula is used for draining pus. It can treat purulent swellings with pain, blood stagnation, and severe inflammatory infiltration in the affected area. The method of taking this formula is to mix Zhi Shi, Jie Geng, and Shao Yao into a fine powder, add egg yolk, mix well, and take with boiled water. If made into a decoction, combining with pus-draining decoction yields better results.18.【Gan Mai Da Zao Tang】(Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction)Source: “Jin Gui Yao Lue”.Ingredients: Gan Mai Da Zao Tang mainly consists of roasted Gan Cao 9g, wheat 30g, and 10 jujubes.Usage: Combine the three ingredients with an appropriate amount of water, simmer on low heat, take the decoction twice, and mix well. Take warm in the morning and evening.Function: Nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, softens the liver, and alleviates urgency.Indications: For damage to heart Yin and disharmony of liver Qi, leading to dryness of the organs. Symptoms include mental confusion, sadness, frequent crying, inability to control emotions, restlessness, poor sleep, and even abnormal speech and behavior, frequent yawning, pale red tongue with little coating, and thin, rapid pulse. Clinical flexibility in adjustments. For severe irritability, add Mai Men Dong 12g, fresh bamboo leaf tips 30 strips, Dan Shen 12g; for severe palpitations, add Dan Shen 12g, Fu Shen 15g, Lu Dang Shen 25g (or take with Guo Pi Wan); for irritability and heat, add Xiang Fu 12g, Su Qian Hua 7.5g, Chuan Lian Zi 15g.Modern Application: This formula is mainly used for neurosis, hysteria, depression, and menopausal syndrome, attributed to deficiency of heart Yin and disharmony of liver Qi.Function Song: Jin Gui Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, for women with organ dryness, prone to sadness; mental confusion often leads to crying, nourishing the heart and calming the spirit is effective.Gan Mai Da Zao Tang – Formula Discussion: Qing Xu Bin: Wheat can harmonize the liver’s Yin heat, nourish the heart’s fluids, and has the function of relieving irritability, thus serving as the monarch; Gan Cao drains heart fire and harmonizes the stomach, thus serving as the minister; Da Zao regulates the stomach and relieves dryness, thus serving as the assistant. The disease originates from blood, which must be governed by blood, as it is the child of the liver; when heart fire is drained, the earth’s energy harmonizes, and the stomach’s energy descends. The lungs moisten, liver Qi regulates, and dryness ceases, leading to recovery. (“Jin Gui Yao Lue Lun Zhu”).Qing You Yi: Wheat is the grain of the liver, and it nourishes the heart Qi; Gan Cao and Da Zao are sweet and moist, thus nourishing the organs and stopping irritability. (“Jin Gui Yao Lue Xin Dian”).Qing Wang Zi: Wheat is a bitter grain. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said that heart diseases should be treated with wheat, as it nourishes the heart. When the heart is anxious, it leads to sadness; Gan Cao and Da Zao are sweet and can alleviate anxiety, thus calming the heart. However, the essence of the formula is that bitterness generates sweetness, which is a nourishing method, not a suppressive method, thus it still belongs to heart tonification. (“Jiang Xue Yuan Gu Fang Xuan Zhu”).Qing Chen Nian: This formula is used for women with organ dryness. Wheat is the grain of the liver, its color is red, and it enters the heart; its energy is cold, and it enters the kidney; its flavor is sweet, and it returns to the spleen and stomach. Combined with the sweetness of Gan Cao and Da Zao, it can harmonize the energies of water and fire in the middle. (“Jin Gui Yao Lue Qian Zhu”).Qing Mo Mei Shi: This is the ancestor of all heart-clearing formulas, not only suitable for organ dryness but also applicable for night sweats and spontaneous sweating. “Su Wen” states that wheat nourishes heart Qi, and “Qian Jin” states that wheat nourishes heart Qi. (“Jing Fang Li Shi”).Qing Gu Song Yuan: This formula is primarily used to treat organ dryness. Patients experience uncontrollable sadness, frequent crying, and excessive yawning, commonly referred to as “being haunted by ghosts.” This formula can calm the overly excited nervous system and alleviate various spasms. It can also be used for children with night terrors, sleepwalking, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.【Zhu Ling Tang】This formula can be seen as a specialized formula for treating urinary tract infections such as gonorrhea, pyelonephritis, and cystitis. It is also widely used in reproductive system diseases, combined with Er Miao San to treat women’s pelvic inflammatory disease, with symptoms of excessive yellow discharge, lower back pain, and abdominal heaviness. It is also suitable for treating male prostatitis, especially in those who drink alcohol and have lower limb edema. Additionally, this formula can be combined with Si Miao San to treat gout.19.【Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang】(Red Stone and Yu Yu Grain Decoction)Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang – Source: “Shang Han Lun”.Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang – Ingredients: Chi Shi Zhi 30g (crushed), Yu Yu Liang 30g (crushed).Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang – Usage: Combine the two ingredients with 1.2 liters of water, decoct to obtain 400ml, strain, and take in three warm doses.Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang – Function: Astringes and consolidates, astringes the intestines and stops diarrhea.Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang – Indications: For chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, and inability to restrain the intestines.Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang – Contraindications: Not suitable for acute enteritis and initial dysentery.This small formula seems to be used by few, but it is very effective for loose stools. Some elderly or bedridden patients with chronic illnesses may experience incontinence after eating too much or consuming greasy foods, causing great distress for their families. This formula can alleviate this distress. Method of administration: The powdered medicine is boiled with water for 10 minutes, strained, and taken mixed; taking only the clear liquid is ineffective.20.【Gan Lian A Jiao Tang】(Coptis and Ejiao Decoction)Gan Lian A Jiao Tang – Basic Information from “Shang Han Lun”.Originally indicated: “For Shao Yin disease, if it lasts for two or three days, the heart is troubled and cannot sleep” (303).Gan Lian A Jiao Tang – Ingredients: Huang Lian 4 taels, Huang Qin 2 taels, Shao Yao 2 taels, A Jiao 3 taels, and two egg yolks.Combine the five ingredients with 6 liters of water, first decoct three ingredients to obtain 2 liters, strain, dissolve the gelatin, cool slightly, add the egg yolks, and stir until combined, taking 7.5 cups warm, three times a day.Gan Lian A Jiao Tang – Principle: The heart is like an engine that works continuously, pumping fresh blood to the extremities and then returning through the veins. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the heart houses the spirit, which is located in the center of the heart. Therefore, there is always a drop of blood in that place. When new blood enters, it replaces the old blood, similar to the principle of a pendulum, where the new blood replaces the old blood. Thus, there is always a drop of blood in the heart, which is where the spirit resides. If this drop of blood is lost, the spirit has “nowhere to hide,” leading to insomnia.Example: Gan Lian A Jiao Tang – Efficacy of Huang Lian and Huang Qin: For this type of deficiency syndrome insomnia, the well-known “Gan Lian A Jiao Tang” in traditional Chinese medicine can be used for treatment. It contains Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Bai Shao, and A Jiao. Why use Huang Qin and Huang Lian? Because the bitter flavor enters the heart, it can nourish the heart. Therefore, Huang Lian and Huang Qin are used to strengthen the heart. It is like adding firewood to the heart’s fire—Huang Qin and Huang Lian increase the fire. Since Gui Zhi and Bai Shao have different medicinal properties, “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” and “Huang Di Nei Jing” state that “pungent and sweet disperse for Yang”; “sour and bitter drain for Yin”; “salty flavors drain for Yin”; “bland flavors drain for Yang.” Therefore, Gui Zhi is pungent and sweet, while Bai Shao is “sour and bitter” and drains. Thus, Gui Zhi increases arterial circulation, while Bai Shao increases venous circulation. Therefore, in Gan Lian A Jiao Tang, we do not use Gui Zhi but use Bai Shao, which accelerates the speed of venous return to the heart, allowing a large amount of blood to flow back to the heart.After blood returns to the heart, Ejiao is used to replenish the blood that is deficient, producing more blood. How to ensure that the replenished blood does not go to the fingers, liver, or spleen, but rather to that drop of blood—the one that needs to return to the center of the heart? This requires a guiding herb to direct it, just like finding a guide when you are lost. This guiding herb is not found in traditional Chinese medicine, so we can only find it in food. After searching through food, there is only one thing that is always suspended in mid-air, and that is the egg yolk—egg yolk is always suspended in space. Therefore, when making “Gan Lian A Jiao Tang,” the Huang Qin, Huang Lian, and Bai Shao are boiled first, and then the Ejiao is added while hot, allowing it to dissolve. When it cools, the egg yolk is added, ensuring that only the yolk is used. It is essential to add the egg yolk while it is warm. Therefore, only the egg yolk is used. The egg yolk tells the medicine that when it goes, it must stop at the center of the heart, suspended and floating inside.This formula is the main formula for heat transformation in Shao Yin syndrome. Any bleeding in the lower body with mental excitement can use this formula. Bleeding and mental excitement are often seen in chronic infectious diseases and chronic wasting diseases. This bleeding is often inflammatory and vascular bleeding; this mental excitement and inability to sleep are often due to nervous system excitability. Bleeding in the lower body includes bleeding from the urinary tract and menstrual bleeding. This blood is often bright red and viscous, accompanied by blood clots. If the color is dark or the blood is light red and thin, as well as bleeding from the upper body, other formulas should be considered.21.【Huang Lian A Jiao Tang】(Coptis and Ejiao Decoction)Huang Lian A Jiao Tang – Basic Information from “Shang Han Lun”.Originally indicated: “For Shao Yin disease, if it lasts for two or three days, the heart is troubled and cannot sleep” (303).Huang Lian A Jiao Tang – Ingredients: Huang Lian 4 taels, Huang Qin 2 taels, Shao Yao 2 taels, A Jiao 3 taels, and two egg yolks.Combine the five ingredients with 6 liters of water, first decoct three ingredients to obtain 2 liters, strain, dissolve the gelatin, cool slightly, add the egg yolks, and stir until combined, taking 7.5 cups warm, three times a day.Huang Lian A Jiao Tang – Principle: The heart is like an engine that works continuously, pumping fresh blood to the extremities and then returning through the veins. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the heart houses the spirit, which is located in the center of the heart. Therefore, there is always a drop of blood in that place. When new blood enters, it replaces the old blood, similar to the principle of a pendulum, where the new blood replaces the old blood. Thus, there is always a drop of blood in the heart, which is where the spirit resides. If this drop of blood is lost, the spirit has “nowhere to hide,” leading to insomnia.Example: Huang Lian A Jiao Tang – Efficacy of Huang Lian and Huang Qin: For this type of deficiency syndrome insomnia, the well-known “Huang Lian A Jiao Tang” in traditional Chinese medicine can be used for treatment. It contains Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Bai Shao, and A Jiao. Why use Huang Qin and Huang Lian? Because the bitter flavor enters the heart, it can nourish the heart. Therefore, Huang Lian and Huang Qin are used to strengthen the heart. It is like adding firewood to the heart’s fire—Huang Qin and Huang Lian increase the fire. Because Gui Zhi and Bai Shao have different medicinal properties, “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” and “Huang Di Nei Jing” state that “pungent and sweet disperse for Yang”; “sour and bitter drain for Yin”; “salty flavors drain for Yin”; “bland flavors drain for Yang.” Therefore, Gui Zhi is pungent and sweet, while Bai Shao is “sour and bitter” and drains. Thus, Gui Zhi increases arterial circulation, while Bai Shao increases venous circulation. Therefore, in Huang Lian A Jiao Tang, we do not use Gui Zhi but use Bai Shao, which accelerates the speed of venous return to the heart, allowing a large amount of blood to flow back to the heart.After blood returns to the heart, Ejiao is used to replenish the blood that is deficient, producing more blood. How to ensure that the replenished blood does not go to the fingers, liver, or spleen, but rather to that drop of blood—the one that needs to return to the center of the heart? This requires a guiding herb to direct it, just like finding a guide when you are lost. This guiding herb is not found in traditional Chinese medicine, so we can only find it in food. After searching through food, there is only one thing that is always suspended in mid-air, and that is the egg yolk—egg yolk is always suspended in space. Therefore, when making “Huang Lian A Jiao Tang,” the Huang Qin, Huang Lian, and Bai Shao are boiled first, and then the Ejiao is added while hot, allowing it to dissolve. When it cools, the egg yolk is added, ensuring that only the yolk is used. It is essential to add the egg yolk while it is warm. Therefore, only the egg yolk is used. The egg yolk tells the medicine that when it goes, it must stop at the center of the heart, suspended and floating inside.This formula is the main formula for heat transformation in Shao Yin syndrome. Any bleeding in the lower body with mental excitement can use this formula. Bleeding and mental excitement are often seen in chronic infectious diseases and chronic wasting diseases. This bleeding is often inflammatory and vascular bleeding; this mental excitement and inability to sleep are often due to nervous system excitability. Bleeding in the lower body includes bleeding from the urinary tract and menstrual bleeding. This blood is often bright red and viscous, accompanied by blood clots. If the color is dark or the blood is light red and thin, as well as bleeding from the upper body, other formulas should be considered.22.【Huang Lian Tang】(Coptis Decoction)Huang Lian Tang Prescription: Huang Lian (remove black heart) 1 tael, Huang Qin (remove beard) 3 fen, Da Huang (sliced, stir-fried) 3 fen, Mang Xiao (ground) 3 fen, Gan Cao (roasted, sliced) 3 fen, Hou Po (remove rough skin, stir-fried with ginger juice) 3 fen, Tu Gua Gen 0.5 tael, Chi Fu Ling (remove black skin) 1 tael.Preparation: Grind into a coarse powder.Function and Indications: For post-cold damage with irritability, constipation, and abdominal fullness.Usage: Take 3 qian with 1 cup of water, decoct to half a cup, strain, and take warm before meals.This formula is effective for treating dysentery. When people encounter dysentery, they often consider it a serious illness and rush to the hospital, spending a lot of money. Little do they know that our ancestors had already prepared such a small formula for us to benefit from, generally curing within three doses. This formula also treats abdominal pain with bleeding symptoms, early miscarriage, and menstrual bleeding (heavy and red) and can be considered for treatment.23.【Fu Zi Geng Mi Tang】(Aconite and Geng Rice Decoction)Fu Zi Geng Mi Tang Prescription: Fu Zi 1 piece (processed), Ban Xia half a sheng, Gan Cao 1 tael, Da Zao 10 pieces, Geng Mi half a sheng.Function and Indications: Overcomes cold Qi and harmonizes internal and external. Treats abdominal cold Qi, with thunderous pain, fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, and vomiting.Usage: Use 8 liters of water, cook the rice until soft, strain, and take 1 liter warm, three times a day.Various Discussions: 1. “Jin Gui Yao Lue Xin Dian”: The turbid Yin Qi of the lower jiao not only affects the Yin region but also reverses to the Yang position, leading to a deficiency in the middle. Therefore, Fu Zi supports Yang to drive away Yin, while Ban Xia descends and stops vomiting, relying on Geng Mi and Gan Cao to nourish the earth and restrain Yin Qi.2. “Gu Fang Xuan Zhu”: Treating with the warmth of Fu Zi and the pungency of Ban Xia, combined with the sweetness of Geng Mi and Gan Cao, allows for a gentle action to stop cold and relieve vomiting.This formula treats cold abdominal pain. Symptoms include cold limbs, aversion to cold, thin pulse, white tongue coating, and severe cold pain in the abdomen, sometimes accompanied by thunderous sounds in the abdomen and vomiting. This formula is similar to Da Jian Zhong Tang, but differs in that Da Jian Zhong Tang has a special reaction of “rising skin and visible head and feet, with pain that cannot be approached.” It should be noted that this formula contains Ban Xia and Fu Zi, which belong to the “Eighteen Contradictions” and cannot be obtained from pharmacies; they must be prepared separately.24.【Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang】(Trichosanthes, Allium, and Pinellia Decoction)Prescription Source: Han Dynasty “Jin Gui Yao Lue”.Dosage form: Decoction.Ingredients: Gua Lou Shi, Xie Bai, Ban Xia, and white wine.Function: Opens Yang, disperses lumps, eliminates phlegm, and expands the chest.Indications: Used for treating coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, intercostal neuralgia, arrhythmia, cholecystitis, bronchial asthma, and cardiac asthma.Preparation Method: Take 1 dose daily, decoct and divide into 2-3 doses.Contraindications: Use with caution in pregnant women.Clinical Application: 1. For breast hyperplasia: Use this formula with modifications: Gua Lou 50g, Ban Xia 10g, Zhe Bei Mu 10g, Sheng Mu Li 15g, Bai Jie Zi 10g, Ru Xiang 10g, Mo Yao 10g, Wu Yao 10g; for those with fibroids, emphasize Mu Li and Dan Shen; for those with liver Qi stagnation, add Chai Hu and Zhi Ke; for those with liver fire, add Long Dan Cao; for those with menstrual irregularities and low blood volume, add Bai Shao; for severe breast pain, add Mu Xiang. The above herbs are decocted, taken once daily on an empty stomach for 2 weeks as a treatment course. In 38 cases of breast hyperplasia, ages ranged from 34-48, with an average age of 41; the longest duration was 6 years, and the shortest was 4 months; the largest hyperplastic mass was 3.5×3.5cm, with up to 6 palpable masses. All cases were confirmed by two or more municipal hospitals. Efficacy standards: complete disappearance of masses and pain is considered cured; significant reduction in masses and pain relief is considered improved; unchanged or worsened symptoms are considered ineffective. Results: 13 cases were cured, accounting for 34.2%; 17 cases improved, accounting for 44.8%; 8 cases were ineffective, accounting for 21%; the overall effective rate was 79%. The milder cases showed effects after one treatment course, while the more severe cases required three treatment courses.2. For non-purulent costochondritis: Use this formula: Gua Lou 20g, Xie Bai 20g, Ban Xia 15g; for those with Qi stagnation and blood stasis, add Ru Xiang 10g; for those with phlegm retention, add Jie Geng 15g and Zhi Nan Xing 10g. Take 1 dose daily, decoct and divide into 2 doses, for a treatment course of 10 days. In 23 cases of non-purulent costochondritis, 19 were male and 4 were female, aged 18-59. Results: 20 cases were cured (symptoms and signs disappeared); 2 cases showed significant improvement (symptoms disappeared, and costochondral swelling basically disappeared); 1 case improved (costochondral swelling basically disappeared, but chest discomfort remained); the overall effective rate was 100%. After six months of follow-up, all cases had not relapsed. This formula is used to treat “true heart pain,” “chest obstruction that prevents lying down, and pain that penetrates the back,” similar to modern coronary heart disease. This disease originates from the area around the xiphoid process, with pain penetrating the back and being intolerable. This formula, compared to Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang, has an additional ingredient of Ban Xia, which enhances the degree of pain relief, indicating that Ban Xia has analgesic properties. It is generally believed that Ban Xia in small amounts (15g) relieves vomiting, in moderate amounts (30g) induces sleep, and in large amounts (40g) relieves pain.25.【Xuan Fu Hua Dai Zhe Shi Tang】(Inula and Hematite Decoction)Xuan Fu Hua Dai Zhe Shi Tang: Xuan Fu Hua (3 taels), Dai Zhe Shi (1 tael), Ren Shen (2 taels), Sheng Jiang (5 taels, sliced), Ban Xia (half a sheng, washed), Gan Cao (3 taels, roasted), Da Zao (12 pieces, split).Combine the seven ingredients with 1 dou of water, decoct to obtain 6 sheng, strain, then decoct again to obtain 3 sheng, take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.For cold damage, if sweating occurs, and the heart is still full, with belching that does not resolve, Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang is indicated, as it addresses fullness in the heart and is a sign of internal deficiency with lingering evil.This formula is effective for simple belching, hiccups, and continuous burping. Additionally, due to the ability of Xuan Fu Hua to treat “saliva like glue,” and Dai Zhe Shi to “calm the Qi, reduce phlegm, stop vomiting, and relieve constipation,” this formula can also treat sticky cough, with phlegm that is sticky like glue, extremely difficult to expel, and accompanied by constipation.26.【Gan Cao Fu Zi Tang】(Licorice and Aconite Decoction)From “Shang Han Lun”: Gan Cao Fu Zi Tang; Alias: Si Wu Fu Zi Tang (“Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang” Volume 7).Prescription: Gan Cao 6g (roasted), Fu Zi 12g (processed, remove skin, break), Bai Zhu 6g, Gui Zhi 12g (remove skin).Function and Indications: Warms the meridians, disperses cold, dispels wind, and eliminates dampness. Treats wind-dampness obstructing, joint pain, pulling pain that prevents bending and stretching, with severe pain upon approach, sweating, shortness of breath, difficulty urinating, aversion to wind, and slight swelling.Usage: Combine the four ingredients with 1.2 liters of water, decoct to obtain 600ml, strain. Take 200ml warm three times a day. Initial doses should induce slight sweating for relief.
