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Source: Shè Shēng Zhòng Miào Fāng 摄生众妙方

Ingredients:

• Jīng jiè (荆芥 Schizonepetae Herba, schizonepeta) 6–9g
• Fáng fēng (防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix, saposhnikovia) 6–9g
• Lián qiào (连翘 Forsythiae Fructus, forsythia [fruit]) 2–3g
• Qiāng huó (羌活 Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, notopterygium [root]) 6–9g
• Dú huó (独活 Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, pubescent angelica) 6–9g
• Chuān xiōng (川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuanxiong [rhizome]) 5–6g
• Bò hé (薄荷 Menthae Herba, mint) 2–3g
• Chái hú (柴胡 Bupleuri Radix, bupleurum [root]) 6–9g
• Qián hú (前胡 Peucedani Radix, peucedanum [root]) 6–9g
• Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) 3–6g
• Zhǐ ké (qiào) (枳壳 Aurantii Fructus, bitter orange) 5–6g
• Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 6–9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 2–5g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 3 slices

Action: Promotes sweating and resolves the exterior; dispels wind and relieves pain.

Indication: External contraction of wind, cold and damp evils. Signs: aversion to cold, heat effusion, headache and stiffness of the nape, aching limbs, absence of sweating. Tongue fur: Thin and white. Pulse: Floating and rapid. Also used for initial-stage reddening of the eyes, mumps and sores when exterior signs are present.

Category: Exterior-resolving formulas / Right-supporting exterior-resolving formulas

Method: Nowadays decocted with water.

Rationale: This formula was originally used for initial-stage swelling of sores but is now used for colds due external contraction of wind-cold-damp. Jīng jiè suì, Fáng fēng, and Shēng jiāng are warm, acrid exterior-resolving agents. Qiāng huó and Dú huó disperse wind and dispel dampness. All these agents are suitable for contraction of wind-cold-damp with heat effusion and pain in the limbs. Bò hé and Chái hú outthrust exterior evils and drain heat, helping the Jīng jiè suì and Fáng fēng resolve the exterior. Chuān xiōng quickens the blood and dispels wind, helping the Qiāng huó and Dú huó disperse dampness and relieve pain. Qián hú, Jié gěng, and Gān cǎo perfuse lung qì. Zhike rectifies qì, and Fú líng disinhibits dampness.

Variations:

• Absence of dampness: Omit Qiāng huó (羌活 Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, notopterygium [root]), Dú huó (独活 Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, pubescent angelica), and Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria).
• Absence of cough and phlegm: Omit Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) and Qián hú (前胡 Peucedani Radix, peucedanum [root]).
• Oppression in the chest: Omit Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) and add Zhú rú (竹茹 Bambusae Caulis in Taenia, bamboo shavings) stir-fried in Jiāng zhī (姜汁 Zingiberis Rhizomatis Succus, ginger juice).
• Additional signs of interior heat (sore throat, swollen tonsils, red-tipped tongue) omit Dú huó (独活 Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, pubescent angelica) and Chuān xiōng (川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuanxiong [rhizome]), and add Jīn yín huā (金银花 Lonicerae Flos, lonicera [flower]), Lián qiào (连翘 Forsythiae Fructus, forsythia [fruit]), Niú bàng zǐ (牛蒡子 Arctii Fructus, arctium [seed]), and Bǎn lán gēn (板蓝根 Isatidis Radix, isatis root).

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