Ingredients: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 1 (4) liang
Long Gu (Dragon Bone) 2 liang
Gan Cao (Licorice) 2 liang
Mu Li (Oyster Shell) 2 liang
This formula is an enhancement of Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Licorice Decoction) with the addition of Long Gu and Mu Li. It is used to treat the symptoms of Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang combined with the conditions addressed by Long Gu and Mu Li, specifically for cases of fluid deficiency with reversed Qi and mild exterior symptoms, along with mental agitation.
In this formula, Gui Zhi is used at 1 liang. This amount of Gui Zhi can only slightly release the exterior. It is the smallest quantity of herbs in this formula and does not fulfill the role of nourishing fluids, descending reversed Qi, or calming palpitations. The dosage should follow the principle of Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang, where Gui Zhi should be 4 liang.
The text from the Shang Han Lun states: “If there is fire counterflow due to burning needles causing agitation, Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang is the main treatment.”
This means that due to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatments such as fire therapy, purging methods, and fire needle therapy have led to significant damage to fluids and a floating spirit, with the main symptom being increased agitation. At this time, Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang should be used for treatment.
The original text from the Jin Gui Yao Lue states: “For those with seminal loss, there is a tightness in the lower abdomen, cold in the genitals, dizziness, hair loss, and a pulse that is extremely weak and thin. This is due to clearing the valley, loss of blood, and seminal loss. If the pulse is thin and slightly tight, for men with seminal loss and women with nocturnal emissions, Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang is the main treatment.”
Ingredients: Gui Zhi, Bai Shao (White Peony), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) each 3 liang, Gan Cao 2 liang, Da Zao (Jujube) 12 pieces, Long Gu, Mu Li each 3 liang.
Boil these seven ingredients in 7 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain, and divide into three warm doses.
Note:
The spicy and sweet properties of Gui Zhi and Gan Cao help to disperse the internal fire evil; the astringent properties of Long Gu and Mu Li help to restrain the floating and excessive Qi.
Let us examine the medicinal properties of Long Gu and Mu Li:
Long Gu is sweet and warm. According to the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: it treats ghostly possession of the heart and abdomen, cough with counterflow, diarrhea with pus and blood, women’s leucorrhea, and hard masses. Mu Li is salty and cool. According to the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: it treats cold and heat from febrile diseases, warm malaria, agitation and anger, alleviates tension, and treats mouse fistula and women’s leucorrhea with red and white discharge.
The classics say: “Heavy can dispel fear.” Long Gu is a fossilized substance, while Mu Li is a shell-based medicine. Their main chemical component is calcium carbonate, which is relatively heavy, dispelling fear and calming the spirit, resolving stagnation and transforming turbid phlegm. Long Gu and Mu Li are often used together in prescriptions, commonly referred to as “Long Mu”.
Effectiveness
The combination of Gui Zhi and Gan Cao, along with the addition of Long Gu and Mu Li, calms the spirit effectively. It addresses palpitations and agitation, with a notable effect of tonifying Yang and calming the heart.
Indications
Palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia.
Clinical Applications
1. Palpitations: A 28-year-old female patient presented with palpitations and anxiety, becoming easily startled with slight exertion, and often pressing her chest. She experienced virtual agitation for two years. In the past year, her symptoms worsened, with increased daytime symptoms and nighttime worsening, waking from sleep with palpitations. She had sluggish mental state, reduced memory, insomnia, spontaneous sweating, poor appetite, and cold extremities. After multiple treatments with Western medicine and herbal tonics without effect, her condition worsened, and she often felt fearful and anxious, unable to go out alone after dark, hearing voices calling her name when alone, with increasing intensity of the voices leading to greater agitation. Her pulse was thin and weak. Considering this was due to heart Yang deficiency, she was given Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang in two doses. After taking it, she felt significant improvement in her palpitations and anxiety. After taking five more doses, all symptoms resolved. She continued to take the formula in pill form for a month, with no recurrence thereafter.
2. Seminal Loss: A 20-year-old unmarried male student experienced nocturnal emissions due to masturbation for over a year, initially occurring every 3 to 5 days, but later developing to daily emissions. Despite taking various tonics, the effect was poor. He also had dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, fatigue, tidal fever, spontaneous sweating, pale complexion, emaciation, and weakness in the lower back and legs. His pulse was thin and weak, and his tongue was pale with no coating. He was treated with Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang with modifications, taking one dose daily. Within two months, all symptoms resolved, and he was observed for two years without recurrence.
3. Insomnia: A 45-year-old male cadre suffered from insomnia for over ten years, gradually worsening. In the past year, he sometimes could not sleep all night, feeling virtual agitation and anxiety. Despite using various sedatives and tranquilizers, the effect was not significant, with symptoms fluctuating. He also had dizziness, palpitations, tinnitus, spontaneous sweating, and cold extremities; his appetite was fair, he did not desire water, his urination was clear and frequent, and his stools were loose. His pulse was deep, slow, and weak, and his tongue was pale with teeth marks. He was treated with Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang with Fu Ling (Poria) added. After 13-14 doses, his sleep normalized, and although there were some relapses, the symptoms were mild and not harmful. He continued to take the formula in pill form to consolidate the effect.