If there were a ranking of weapons in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the following top ten famous formulas would undoubtedly be at the forefront. Chinese traditional medicine has preserved many safe, convenient, and effective formulas through thousands of years of accumulation by generations of physicians. These formulas have been passed down due to their effectiveness proven by millions of people through personal practice. While they may not cure all diseases, they are at least effective for specific symptoms and are worth collecting by everyone.
01
Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction): Treats wind-cold common cold, cough, and asthma
Source: “Shang Han Lun”
Ingredients: Ma Huang (Ephedra) 9g, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 9g, Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) 9g, Xi Xin (Asarum) 3g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 6g, Bai Shao (White Peony) 9g, Ban Xia (Pinellia) 12g, Gan Cao (Licorice) 6g.
Usage: Decoction in water, divided into two doses.
Function: Releases the exterior, disperses cold, warms the lungs, and transforms phlegm.
Indications: External wind-cold, internal retention of water and phlegm, symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, no sweating, cough with abundant white, clear, and thin phlegm, severe cases may present with difficulty lying down due to wheezing or edema of limbs and face, no thirst, thin white and moist tongue coating, floating and tight pulse.
02
Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction): Treats constipation and abdominal distension
Source: “Shang Han Lun”
Ingredients: Da Huang (Rhubarb) 12g, Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) 9g, Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange) 9g, Mang Xiao (Glauber’s Salt) 12g.
Usage: Decoction in water.
Function: Harshly purges heat accumulation.
Indications:
1. Dry heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach, symptoms include hard and obstructed stools, abdominal distension and pain, high fever, delirium, tongue coating dry and yellow with prickles, pulse deep, solid, and forceful;
2. Heat accumulation with diarrhea, symptoms include watery, foul-smelling diarrhea, despite diarrhea, abdominal distension and pain do not alleviate, abdomen feels hard with lumps, dry mouth and tongue, pulse slippery and rapid.
03
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction): Treats influenza and women’s febrile diseases
Source: “Shang Han Lun”
Ingredients: Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 9g, Huang Qin (Scutellaria) 9g, Zhi Ban Xia (Processed Pinellia) 6g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 3g, Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 3 slices, Da Zao (Jujube) 3 pieces, Dang Shen (Codonopsis) 6g.
Usage: Decoction in water.
Function: Harmonizes the exterior and interior, supports the righteous and expels evil.
Indications: Used for Shao Yang syndrome with alternating chills and fever, fullness in the chest and hypochondria, loss of appetite, irritability, nausea, bitter mouth and dry throat, deafness, and thin white tongue coating, wiry and rapid pulse.
04
Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria): Treats edema caused by dampness, dispels dampness
Source: “Shang Han Lun”
Ingredients: Fu Ling (Poria) 9g, Zhu Ling (Polyporus) 9g, Ze Xie (Alisma) 12g, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 9g, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 6g.
Usage: Decoction in water.
Function: Warms Yang, transforms Qi, and promotes urination.
Indications: Edema caused by internal dampness, diarrhea, difficulty urinating, as well as cough with clear, thin phlegm, dizziness, and palpitations.
05
Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder): Treats irregular menstruation
Source: “Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang”
Ingredients: Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 12g, Bai Shao (White Peony) 12g, Dang Gui (Angelica) 12g, Fu Ling (Poria) 12g, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 12g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 6g.
Usage: Decoction in water, or the above herbs can be powdered and taken with ginger and mint decoction, 6g each time, three times a day.
Function: Soothe the liver, relieve depression, nourish blood, and strengthen the spleen.
Indications: Pain in the flanks, headache, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, fatigue, poor appetite, irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, wiry and weak pulse due to liver Qi stagnation and blood deficiency.
06
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood Mansion Disperse Stasis Decoction): Treats chest pain and headache
Source: “Yi Lin Gai Cuo”
Ingredients: Dang Gui (Angelica) 9g, Sheng Di (Rehmannia) 9g, Tao Ren (Peach Kernel) 12g, Hong Hua (Safflower) 9g, Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange) 6g, Chi Shao (Red Peony) 6g, Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) 5g, Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 3g, Jie Geng (Platycodon) 5g, Niu Xi (Achyranthes) 9g, Gan Cao (Licorice) 3g.
Usage: Decoction in water.
Function: Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, promotes Qi, and alleviates pain.
Indications: Chest pain and headache due to blood stasis, symptoms include persistent pain like a needle prick, or prolonged hiccups, or internal heat and irritability, palpitations, insomnia, increasing heat in the evening, dark red tongue with stasis spots, and a rough or wiry pulse.
07
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction): Treats fatigue and excessive sweating
Source: “Pi Wei Lun”
Ingredients: Huang Qi (Astragalus) 15g, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 10g, Dang Shen (Codonopsis) 15g, Dang Gui (Angelica) 6g, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) 6g, Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 5g, Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga) 5g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 5g.
Usage: Decoction in water.
Function: Regulates and tonifies the spleen and stomach, augments Qi, and raises Yang.
Indications: Spleen and stomach Qi deficiency with symptoms of fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue, weak pulse, or heat with sweating, or prolapse of the rectum, uterine prolapse, chronic diarrhea, and chronic malaria.
08
Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction): Treats palpitations and insomnia
Source: “Ji Sheng Fang”
Ingredients: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 9g, Fu Shen (Poria) 10g, Huang Qi (Astragalus) 12g, Long Yan Rou (Longan Flesh) 10g, Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) 10g, Dang Shen (Codonopsis) 12g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 5g, Dang Gui (Angelica) 10g, Yuan Zhi (Polygala) 10g, Mu Xiang (Aucklandia) 10g.
Usage: Add Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 6g, Da Zao (Jujube) 3 pieces, decoct in water.
Function: Tonifies the spleen, nourishes the heart, augments Qi, and replenishes blood.
Indications:
1. Heart and spleen deficiency leading to palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, poor appetite, fatigue, pale complexion, pale tongue, and weak pulse;
2. Irregular menstruation, excessive bleeding, and subcutaneous bleeding due to spleen deficiency.
09
Liang Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia): Nourishes Yin and tonifies the kidneys
Source: “Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue”
Ingredients: Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) 240g, Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) 120g, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus) 120g, Ze Xie (Alisma) 90g, Fu Ling (Poria) 90g, Dan Pi (Moutan) 90g.
Usage: Grind into powder, mix with honey to form pills or decoct as a soup.
Function: Nourishes the liver and kidneys.
Indications: Liver and kidney Yin deficiency, with symptoms of soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, or tidal fever, heat in the palms and soles, thirst, and red tongue with little coating, thin and rapid pulse.
10
Wen Dan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction): Treats vomiting and epilepsy
Source: “San Yin Ji Yi Bing Zheng Fang Lun”
Ingredients: Ban Xia (Pinellia) 6g, Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings) 6g, Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange) 6g, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) 9g, Gan Cao (Licorice) 3g, Fu Ling (Poria) 5g, Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 3g, Da Zao (Jujube) 3 pieces.
Usage: Decoction in water.
Function: Regulates Qi, transforms phlegm, clears the gallbladder, and harmonizes the stomach.
Indications: Disharmony between the gallbladder and stomach, phlegm-heat disturbing the interior, restlessness and insomnia, or vomiting and hiccups, as well as palpitations and epilepsy.
Self-medication without a doctor’s diagnosis carries risks!
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