Source
[Origin] The “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage) was authored by the medical sage Zhang Zhongjing during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Yu Jiayan described this book as: “the ancestor of all formulas and the foundation of numerous prescriptions.” This book summarizes the medical achievements and rich practical experiences of predecessors, integrating the essence of medicine before the Han Dynasty, and systematically elaborates on the differentiation and treatment of various exogenous diseases and miscellaneous disorders based on clinical experience, establishing the foundation for syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is the first classic in the history of TCM that encompasses theory, methods, formulas, and medicines.
Composition
[Composition] Fu Ling (Poria), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Gan Cao (Licorice).
Formula Analysis
[Formula Analysis] Fu Ling: promotes urination and resolves dampness, calms the mind. Rou Gui: warms the fire and assists yang, disperses cold and alleviates pain, warms the meridians and unblocks the vessels. Sheng Jiang: releases the exterior and disperses cold, warms the middle and stops vomiting, warms the lungs and stops coughing, detoxifies. Gan Cao: tonifies the spleen and benefits qi, clears heat and detoxifies, resolves phlegm and stops coughing, alleviates pain. This formula is a Yang-warming medicine. The blandness of Fu Ling can drain water, and the sweetness of Gan Cao can calm the mind and assist yang, hence Fu Ling is used; the pungency of ginger can disperse phlegm, and the warmth can induce sweating and release the muscles, hence ginger and cinnamon are used; the tonifying nature of Gan Cao can regulate qi and harmonize the middle, thus it is included.
1. “Shang Han Lun”: In cases of cold damage with sweating and no thirst; in cases of cold damage with palpitations below the heart;
2. “Sheng Ji Zong Lu”: After sweating in cold damage, abdominal fullness and difficulty urinating;
3. “Pu Ji Fang” quoting “Zhi Zhi”: Water retention below the heart, palpitations;
4. “Neike Zhai Yao”: Cough due to bladder issues, cough with incontinence.
5. “Shan Jia Ji Ju Bian”: Hernia causing running piglet syndrome.
Functions and Indications
Effect: Warms the middle, transforms phlegm, promotes yang, and benefits water.
Indications: 1. Phlegm-dampness syndrome, water retention below the heart, palpitations, sweating without thirst, difficulty urinating, cough with incontinence.2. After sweating in cold damage, abdominal fullness and difficulty urinating.
3. Cough due to bladder issues, spleen qi deficiency, belching, abdominal fullness, digestive stagnation, irritability, dizziness, nausea, cold extremities, and chest fullness. 4. Chronic gastroenteritis, liver cirrhosis, ascites, enhances immune function, anti-tumor, and protects the liver.
Clinical Differentiation and Usage Characteristics
[Core Symptom Target]
Warms yang, promotes water, harmonizes the stomach, and releases the exterior.
Clinical Adjustments and Applications
1. While many diseases can be easily treated, dampness is difficult to eliminate. Therefore, in clinical practice, as long as the tongue coating is white, moist, slippery, and damp, this formula can be used. If the tongue is dry and red, this formula is not suitable.
2. For patients with hypertension, gout, and cardiovascular diseases: Fu Ling and Gan Cao Decoction + Ling Gui Gan Zao Decoction + Dang Shen Fu Ling Decoction.
3. For insomnia due to spleen-stomach disharmony: Fu Ling and Gan Cao Decoction + Gan Mai Da Zao Decoction + Ling Gui Gan Zao Decoction.
4. For gastroenteritis: Fu Ling and Gan Cao Decoction + Huo Xiang Zi Su Decoction, with vomiting + Chen Pi Sha Di Decoction.
5. For chronic allergic rhinitis: Fu Ling and Gan Cao Decoction + Gan Cao Gan Jiang Decoction + Fo Shou Ge Gen Decoction.