Summary of Six Formulas for Internal Injuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The ancient formulas in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) include six formulas for internal injuries and ten formulas for external pathogens, all derived from Zhang Zhongjing’s classic texts, such as the “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage) and the “Jin Gui Yao Lue” (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet).
When viewed in isolation, each formula may seem disconnected and difficult to integrate. Therefore, TCM advocates for a holistic approach to learning and understanding.
The six formulas correspond to the six phases of circular movement, which include the five elements plus the fire of the monarch and the fire of the minister, making a total of six phases.
These six phases create a circular movement within the body, ensuring health and well-being.
Once a problem arises in the circular movement of any phase, corresponding symptoms will manifest. By analyzing clinical symptoms and presentations, one can understand the underlying principles and find appropriate treatment methods.
In this circular movement, metal, wood, water, and fire represent the four dimensions, while earth and ministerial fire serve as the central axis.
For spleen earth disorders, such as cold damp type diarrhea and vomiting, the “Li Zhong Wan” (Regulate the Middle Pill) is used to harmonize and transform the spleen and earth;
For ministerial fire disorders, like deficiency heat causing abdominal pain, “Xiao Jian Zhong Tang” (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is indicated;
For lung metal disorders, where fire reverses causing dry cough without phlegm, “Mai Men Dong Tang” (Ophiopogon Decoction) is prescribed;
For liver wood disorders, such as cold hernia abdominal pain due to cold in the liver channel and failure of liver wood to ascend, “Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang” (Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup) is utilized;
For kidney water disorders, like diabetes due to kidney water deficiency, “Gui Fu Di Huang Wan” (Cinnamon and Rehmannia Pill) is recommended;
For heart fire disorders, where heart fire does not descend leading to nosebleeds, “Xie Xin Tang” (Drain the Heart Decoction) is used.
Each of the five elements encompasses corresponding treatment methods for their respective disorders.
Of course, the human body and diseases are complex, with individual differences; however, even the most complicated conditions can be understood through simple principles, much like mastering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division before tackling equations.
