Introduction: Today we will learn about Mr. Yu Xiaofeng’s experience in using Cang Zhu.
Mr. Yu Xiaofeng (1900-1987) came from a family of physicians for four generations. His ancestors were both teachers and doctors, excelling in internal medicine and also knowledgeable in pediatrics, gaining considerable fame in Yongtai County, Fujian Province.
In clinical practice, Mr. Yu emphasized syndrome differentiation and treatment, prescribing simple and effective medications, often achieving remarkable results with plain ingredients, demonstrating the principle of “four taels moving a thousand pounds”. His application of Cang Zhu was particularly adept.
His clinical experiences have been compiled for readers’ reference.
Mr. Yu primarily treated mountainous residents, many of whom were farmers, workers, or elderly and children.
The cold and dampness in mountainous areas is particularly pronounced, especially during the winter-spring and long summer seasons, with mountain mists, cloudy weather, or persistent rain, frost, and ice. If one ventures out in the cold, engages in water work, or suddenly drinks cold water, it is easy to be afflicted by wind, cold, and dampness, leading to illness.
Wind, cold, and dampness can cause a variety of diseases, and Cang Zhu is an excellent remedy for dispelling cold and eliminating dampness, thus its application is extensive.
As stated in the “Complete Book of Jingyue: Materia Medica”: “Its nature is warm and dispersing, thus it can induce sweating, harmonize the stomach, promote appetite, alleviate abdominal distension and pain, treat cholera and vomiting, resolve various stagnations, dispel mountain mists and cold epidemics, relieve wind-induced headaches, and eliminate phlegm and water retention.” Its drying nature also treats cold dysentery, cold diarrhea, intestinal wind, and cold dampness symptoms.
In clinical practice, Mr. Yu often used Cang Zhu as the main herb, skillfully combining it to treat external pathogenic fever, headaches, abdominal distension, edema, bi syndrome, and pediatric cough and diarrhea.
Cang Zhu Combined with Chai Hu for Treating Cold and Heat Like Malaria
In clinical practice, it is common to see seasonal external pathogens with predominant symptoms of chills and fever. Mr. Yu did not adhere to previous methods but instead used Cang Zhu combined with Fang Feng (Siler), Chai Hu (Bupleurum) and others to release the exterior, drive out evil, and harmonize the Shaoyang, often achieving remarkable results.
He once treated an elderly woman with the surname Wang, who presented with sudden chills and fever, alternating like malaria, accompanied by body aches and pain in the flanks.
Prescription: Cang Zhu and Chai Hu each 6 grams, Fang Feng, Huo Xiang, and Chuan Xiong each 5 grams, Qing Pi and Bai Shao each 6 grams, and 3 slices of fresh ginger.
After taking 2 doses, the chills and fever subsided. The original formula was adjusted: Cang Zhu 5 grams, Chai Hu 6 grams, Huang Qin 5 grams, Qing Pi 9 grams, Xiang Fu 6 grams, Huo Xiang and Ban Xia each 5 grams, Bai Shao 6 grams, 3 pieces of fresh ginger, and 3 dates.
If headaches are due to wind and cold attacking the upper body, affecting the clear orifices, use Cang Zhu combined with Fang Feng and Chuan Xiong, focusing on dispersing wind, scattering cold, and eliminating dampness. Such cases are numerous and will not be elaborated here.
Cang Zhu Combined with Liang Fu Wan for Treating Epigastric Pain
Epigastric pain and/or distension due to cold evil invading the stomach, or dampness obstructing the middle, causing qi stagnation and loss of harmony in the stomach, can be treated with Cang Zhu combined with Liang Jiang (Galangal) and Xiang Fu, or using Ping Wei San as the main formula, warming the middle, dispersing cold and dampness, alleviating pain and allowing it to resolve naturally.
He once treated a young girl with the surname Zhang, who suffered from epigastric distension due to cold food injury.
Prescription: Cang Zhu 10 grams, Chuan Hou Po 6 grams, Qing Pi 10 grams, Zhi Ke and Jie Geng each 6 grams, Mai Ya 10 grams, Shan Zha 12 grams, Gan Jiang 6 grams, and Zhi Gan Cao 3 grams.
After taking 3 doses, symptoms improved, and the original formula was slightly adjusted (Cang Zhu retained).
Cang Zhu Combined with Ban Xia for Treating Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is often treated based on the theory of fire stagnation. Mr. Yu’s experience shows that many cases are also due to internal accumulation of cold and dampness.
Due to cold and dampness obstructing, yang qi cannot rise, leading to stagnation and transformation into sour water. Using Cang Zhu combined with Ban Xia or Hai Piao Xiao, disperses cold, transforms dampness, regulates acidity, and harmonizes the stomach.
He once treated a patient named Song, who suffered from acid reflux and epigastric pain. Mr. Yu believed the treatment should warm the interior and strengthen the middle.
Prescription: Cang Zhu, Liang Jiang, and Xiang Fu each 6 grams, Sha Ren 5 grams, Mai Ya, Zhi Shi, Ban Xia, and Chen Pi each 6 grams, and Zhi Gan Cao 5 grams.
After taking 2 doses, symptoms improved, and the original formula was adjusted (Cang Zhu still used).
Cang Zhu Combined with Wu Pi Decoction for Treating Edema
Edema caused by water and dampness infiltration, and obstruction of the meridians, can be treated with Cang Zhu combined with Wu Pi Decoction to dry dampness, promote urination, and invigorate the spleen.
Mr. Yu, when over 60 years old, suffered from edema and prescribed: Cang Zhu 6 grams, Da Fu Pi 10 grams, Sang Bai Pi 6 grams, Fu Ling Pi 10 grams, Chen Pi, Sheng Jiang Pi, and Wu Jia Pi each 6 grams.
After taking 3 doses, the edema resolved. It recurred twice afterward, and following this formula for two to three doses led to recovery.
Cang Zhu Combined with Shan Zha for Treating Cold Accumulation
Mr. Yu’s clinical experience indicates that in rural mountainous areas, after winter, temperatures drop sharply, and in spring, it often alternates between warm and cold, or enters the rainy season. Children with lung and spleen deficiency, who are not familiar with dietary hygiene, are prone to colds and food injury, commonly referred to as “cold accumulation” (including what Western medicine calls acute gastroenteritis in children).
The treatment should resolve the exterior and promote digestion, addressing both the exterior and interior, often using Cang Zhu combined with Fang Feng and Shan Zha.
He once treated a 2-year-old boy with the surname Qiu, who suddenly developed a slight fever, cold limbs, poor appetite, and diarrhea.
Prescription: Cang Zhu, Bai Zhu, and Bai Shao each 5 grams, Fang Feng, Ze Xie, and Che Qian Zi each 4 grams, Shan Zha 6 grams, and Zhi Gan Cao 3 grams.
After taking 2 doses, he recovered.
Mr. Yu’s common dosage of Cang Zhu is 6-10 grams (reduced for children).
Generally, it is not used for pregnant women, or replaced with Bai Zhu, Zi Su, or Sha Ren. It is inferred that Cang Zhu’s warming and drying properties may easily deplete yin and injure fluids, which is not beneficial for nourishing the fetus, hence the caution.
Note:Specific medication should follow medical advice! This article is excerpted from “Yu Changrong on Febrile Diseases”, edited by Zhu Shizeng, published by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, January 2009. This public account is used solely for academic exchange; if there is any infringement, please contact for deletion, and reprint must indicate the source.
The cover image is sourced from Shetu Network.
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