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Source: Liǔ Zhōu Yī Huà 柳洲医话

Alternate Chinese names: 益肝煎

Ingredients:

• Běi shā shēn (北沙参 Glehniae Radix, glehnia [root]) 9–12g
• Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]) 9–12g
• Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]) 24–30g
• Gǒu qǐ zǐ (枸杞子 Lycii Fructus, lycium [berry]) 9–15g
• Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 6–9g
• Chuān liàn zǐ (川楝子 Toosendan Fructus, toosendan [fruit]) 3–6g

Action: Nourishes yīn and courses the liver.

Indication: Insufficiency of liver yīn and poor coursing of liver qì with pain in the chest, stomach duct, and costal region, acid swallowing, and vomiting of bitter fluid, and dry throat and mouth. Tongue: Red with little liquid.

Category: Supplementing formulas / Yīn-supplementing formula

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Cold and sweet Shēng dì huáng nourishes the liver and kidney. Dāng guī is warm and acrid, and both supplements and quickens the blood. The two agents used together enrich without being slimy and clogging and are acrid without being dry. Thus, they are effective in emolliating and coursing the liver. Shā shēn, Mài dōng, and Gǒu qǐ zǐ enrich yīn and nourish the liver, as well as normalizing the liver's unyielding qì. Chuān liàn zǐ moves qì and relieves pain, while also checking liver qì counterflow.

Variations:

• Pronounced depressed fire with bitter taste in the mouth and dry pharynx: Add Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) or Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).
• Constipation: Add Guā lóu zǐ (瓜蒌子 Trichosanthis Semen, trichosanthes seed) and Huǒ má rén (火麻仁 Cannabis Fructus, cannabis fruit).
• Vacuity heat with profuse sweating: Add Dì gǔ pí (地骨皮 Lycii Cortex, lycium bark).
• Yīn depletion with dry red tongue: Add Shí hú (石斛 Dendrobii Herba, dendrobium) and Yù zhú (玉竹 Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Solomon's seal [root]).
• Cough and copious phlegm: Add Bèi mǔ (贝母 Fritillariae Bulbus, fritillaria [bulb]) and Guā lóu (瓜蒌 Trichosanthis Fructus, trichosanthes [fruit]).
• Abdominal pain: Add Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]) and Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]).
• Conglomeration or gathering in the rib-side: Add Biē jiǎ (鳖甲 Trionycis Carapax, turtle shell) and Mǔ lì (牡蛎 Ostreae Concha, oyster shell).

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