A friend asked about experiencing coldness in the back and joint pain, and whether there is a formula for this. Today, I will share a formula used for treatment;
Insufficient Yang Qi, combined with the invasion of cold and dampness, leads to poor circulation of Qi and blood in the limbs, resulting in symptoms such as coldness in the back, cold hands and feet, body pain, and joint pain.
This formula is derived from a prescription in the “Shang Han Lun”: Fu Zi Tang (Aconite Decoction).
CompositionFu Zi (Aconite) 2 pieces (processed, peeled, broken into 8 pieces), Fu Ling (Poria) 3 liang, Ren Shen (Ginseng) 2 liang, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 4 liang, Shao Yao (Peony) 3 liang(Fu Zi 15g (processed), Fu Ling 9g, Ren Shen 6g, Bai Zhu 12g, Shao Yao 9g)MethodCombine the five ingredients, add 600 ml of water, boil down to 300 ml, strain, and take 100 ml warm, three times a day.FunctionWarms the meridians, assists Yang, expels cold and dampness.IndicationsYang deficiency with internal invasion of cold and dampness, resulting in body and joint pain, aversion to cold, cold limbs, white and slippery tongue coating, and a deep and weak pulse.In cases of Shaoyin Yang deficiency, internal invasion of cold and dampness, coldness in the back, body and joint pain, a harmonious mouth, cold hands and feet, and a deep pulse.DiscussionIn Fu Zi Tang, processed Aconite is pungent, sweet, and very warm, possessing the effects of restoring Yang and rescuing from collapse, tonifying fire and assisting Yang, dispersing cold and alleviating pain, making it the top medicine for restoring Yang and rescuing from collapse;Ren Shen tonifies the original Qi and stabilizes the pulse; Fu Ling and Bai Zhu strengthen the spleen and transform dampness, with Bai Zhu enhancing the ability of Aconite to expel cold and dampness; Shao Yao harmonizes the Ying and alleviates pain, monitoring the harshness of Aconite. In summary, the combination of all the herbs works together to warm the meridians, assist Yang, and expel cold and dampness.Aconite is the main ingredient. Due to Yang deficiency and excess cold, Aconite is used as the main herb to benefit the source of fire and dispel Yin shadows.Wherever evil gathers, its Qi must be deficient, hence Ren Shen is used as an auxiliary to greatly tonify the original Qi and restore true Yang.Spleen deficiency leads to dampness, and kidney deficiency fails to transform water, causing water to overflow; thus, Bai Zhu is used to dry dampness in the spleen, and Fu Ling eliminates kidney evil, simultaneously controlling the Yang root in Yin. If one only uses pungent and warm herbs to tonify Yang without adding sour astringent herbs, there is a risk of true Yang escaping, hence Shao Yao is used to harmonize the Ying and astringe Yin, guiding the Yang Qi back to its root in Yin, serving as a harmonizing agent.The formula heavily utilizes processed Aconite to warm the meridians and strengthen Yang; Ren Shen tonifies the original Qi; Fu Ling and Bai Zhu strengthen the spleen and transform dampness; Shao Yao harmonizes the Ying and alleviates pain. The combination of all herbs works together to warm the meridians, assist Yang, and expel cold and dampness.ModificationsThis formula can be modified by replacing Ren Shen with fresh ginger, known as Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction), used for Yang deficiency with water retention.Zhen Wu Tang addresses water retention in the muscles. It is used to treat conditions where the exterior has been resolved but water retention persists, with both internal and external deficiencies.