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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Alternate Chinese names: 复脉汤

Ingredients:

• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix–fried) 9–15g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 6–9g
• Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig) 6–9g
• Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]) 12–15g
• Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]) 6–9g
• ē jiāo (阿胶 Asini Corii Colla, ass hide glue) (melted and drenched) 6–9g
• Huǒ má rén (火麻仁 Cannabis Fructus, cannabis fruit) 6–12g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 3–5 slices
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 5–10 pieces
• Jiǔ (酒 Vinum seu Spiritus , liquor)

Action: Enriches yīn and nourishes the blood; boosts qì and warms yáng; restores the pulse and settles palpitation.

Indication: (a) Insufficiency of yīn blood and weakness of yáng, manifesting as bound or intermittent pulse, heart palpitation, smooth bare tongue that is dry and shrunken. (b) Vacuity taxation and pulmonary wilting, manifesting as cough, emaciation, shortness of breath, vacuity vexation, insomnia, night sweating or spontaneous sweating, dry throat and tongue, dry bound stool, and a vacuous rapid pulse.

Category: Supplementing formulas / Dual qì-blood dual supplementation formula

Method: Decoct with water.

Warnings: Contraindicated in cardiac failure, severe water swelling, and fine rapid pulse.

Rationale: Zhì gān cǎo is a sweet and warm qì boosting agent. Combined with Guì zhī it warms and frees heart yáng to restore the pulse. Rén shēn supplements heart qì and calms heart palpitation. Dà zǎo, Shēng dì huáng, Mài dōng, Huǒ má rén, and ē jiāo all enrich yīn. Their tendency to clog is counteracted by Guì zhī and Shēng jiāng. Shēng dì huáng and Mài dōng prevent the Shēng jiāng and Guì zhī from causing dryness.

Variations:

• Pronounced qì vacuity: Increase the Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) and add Huáng qí (黄芪 Astragali Radix, astragalus [root]).
• Dual vacuity of qì and yīn with predominance of yīn vacuity: Omit the Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) and Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig), increase the Shú dì huáng (熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, cooked rehmannia [root]).
• Pronounced yáng vacuity: Add Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]).
• Angina pectoris: Add gualouxiebaibaijiutang.
• Normal stool: Omit Huǒ má rén (火麻仁 Cannabis Fructus, cannabis fruit).
• Pronounced heart palpitation: Add Lóng chǐ (龙齿 Mastodi Dentis Fossilia, dragon tooth), Zhū shā (朱砂 Cinnabaris , cinnabar), Bǎi zǐ rén (柏子仁 Platycladi Semen, arborvitae seed), and Cí shí (磁石 Magnetitum , loadstone).
• Insomnia: Add Suān zǎo rén (酸枣仁 Ziziphi Spinosi Semen, spiny jujube [kernel]), and Bǎi zǐ rén (柏子仁 Platycladi Semen, arborvitae seed).
• Oppression in the chest: Add Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) and Xìng rén (杏仁 Armeniacae Semen, apricot kernel).

Notes: Also called Fù mài tāng (复脉汤 Pulse-Restorative Decoction).

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