In winter, most people prefer high-fat foods as they are busy with gatherings and drinking. Coupled with a lack of exercise, the liver is constantly in a state of high operation. Therefore, after enduring the burdens of winter, spring becomes a season prone to liver diseases.
Additionally, bacteria and viruses thrive in spring, and consuming food contaminated with viruses can lead to hepatitis.If not controlled, it can develop into liver cirrhosis. So how should one adjust?
Many people believe that for liver cirrhosis caused by liver qi stagnation, the first step should be to soothe the liver. However, using Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pill) or Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver) can actually worsen the condition. This is because the direction of treatment is incorrect.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes liver cirrhosis under “hypochondriac pain,” “jaundice,” and “accumulation,” believing it is often caused by liver failure to disperse, blood stasis, or deficiency of righteous qi, and internal damage to the liver by excessive pathogenic factors.
To resolve the issue, one must first dissolve and flush out the stagnant qi and blood accumulated in the liver, and secondly, improve the internal environment of the liver, providing it with fresh energy.
Today, I will share a TCM formula—Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan (Blood Mansion Eliminating Stasis Pill), derived from the Qing Dynasty text “Yi Lin Gai Cuo” by Wang Qingren, which has the effects of activating blood circulation, resolving stasis, and alleviating pain. It is a classic formula in the category of blood-regulating agents.
This formula is essentially a combination of several formulas.
The first formula is Si Wu Tang, composed of Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Sheng Di (Rehmannia Glutinosa), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong), and Chi Shao (Paeonia Lactiflora), which nourishes blood while regulating qi.
Combined with Chai Hu (Bupleurum) for soothing the liver, along with Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange) and Gan Cao (Licorice), together with the previous Shao Yao (Paeonia), it forms Si Ni San, a formula for soothing the liver and regulating qi. The two formulas work together to nourish blood while soothing the liver and regulating qi.
Additionally, with Jie Geng (Platycodon) and Niu Xi (Achyranthes), the qi mechanism rises and falls, enhancing the ability to regulate qi. Adding Tao Ren (Peach Kernel) and Hong Hua (Carthamus) activates blood circulation and resolves stasis. The combination of these herbs works together to activate blood circulation, resolve stasis, and alleviate pain, allowing the blood to flow, stasis to dissolve, and qi to move, naturally softening the hardened liver day by day.
Now, let’s look at a clinical case.
Ms. Xu, 53 years old, reported being diagnosed with hepatitis B cirrhosis for 2 years, experiencing symptoms of chest and hypochondriac fullness, shortness of breath, belching, and poor sleep, with visible blood vessels on the skin of her neck and chest. Multiple liver function tests showed elevated indicators. She wanted to try TCM for adjustment and came to my clinic.
Upon examination:the tongue was dark red with a thin white coating. The overall condition was diagnosed as blood stasis in the liver and spleen, and I prescribed a modified version of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Prescription: Dang Gui, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chuan Xiong, Niu Xi, Jie Geng, Zhi Qiao, Gan Cao, Chai Hu, Dan Shen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza), Bie Jia (Tortoise Shell), Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus), and Che Qian Cao (Plantago).
After taking the above prescription for 7 doses, the patient reported significant relief from chest and hypochondriac fullness, shortness of breath, and belching. Based on her condition, I adjusted the formula by removing Chuan Xiong and Jie Geng and adding Ji Nei Jin (Gizzard Lining), and after continuing for 2 more treatment courses, her liver function indicators approached normal.
To consolidate the effect, I advised her to continue taking the medicine for a period, and her discomfort symptoms have basically disappeared, with no abnormalities observed in follow-up.
This article aims to promote TCM culture. TCM emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. The medications mentioned are for reference only; please do not blindly follow them. Consult a professional physician for guidance.
I am Dr. He Hua, a TCM practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience. I hope to use my experience to help more people in need.Welcome to follow my public account: 【He Hua Talks about the Five Organs】。