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Source: Dān Xī Xīn Fǎ 丹溪心法

Ingredients:

• Huáng qí (黄芪 Astragali Radix, astragalus [root]) 9–18g
• Bái zhú (白朮 Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, white atractylodes [root]) 9–12g
• Fáng fēng (防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix, saposhnikovia) 6–9g

Action: Boosts qì and fortifies the spleen; secures the exterior and checks sweating.

Indication: Qì vacuity and tendency to contract wind-cold; qì vacuity and spontaneous sweating, and bright white facial complexion. Tongue: Pale with white fur. Pulse: Weak and floating.

Category: Supplementing formulas / Qì-supplementing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Huáng qí greatly supplements original qì in the lung-spleen so as to secure the exterior and check sweating. For this reason, it is used as the sovereign agent in large quantities. Bái zhú fortifies the spleen, which is the source of engendering transformation, i.e., the main factor in the production of qì and blood. Fáng fēng dispels the wind from the exterior.

Variations:

• Exterior vacuity with spontaneous sweating: Add Mǔ lì (牡蛎 Ostreae Concha, oyster shell), Má huáng gēn (麻黄根 Ephedrae Radix, ephedra root), Fú xiǎo mài (浮小麦 Tritici Fructus Levis, light wheat [grain]), or Wǔ wèi zǐ (五味子 Schisandrae Fructus, schisandra [berry]).
• Qì vacuity with colds or flu: Add Jīng jiè (荆芥 Schizonepetae Herba, schizonepeta), Zǐ sū yè (紫苏叶 Perillae Folium, perilla leaf), and Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root]).
• Urticaria: Add Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) and Chì sháo (赤芍 Paeoniae Radix Rubra, red peony [root]).
• Chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis: Add Xì xīn (细辛 Asari Rhizoma et Radix, asarum) and Cāng ěr zǐ (苍耳子 Xanthii Fructus, xanthium [fruit]).

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