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Depression-Overcoming Pill
越鞠丸 〔越鞠丸〕yuè jú wán
Source: Dān Xī Xīn Fǎ 丹溪心法
Alternate Chinese names:
Ingredients:
- Cāng zhú (苍朮 Atractylodis Rhizoma, atractylodes [rhizome]) 10–15g
- Xiāng fù (香附 Cyperi Rhizoma, cyperus [rhizome]) 10–15g
- Chuān xiōng (川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuanxiong [rhizome]) 10–15g
- Liù qū (六曲 Massa Medicata Fermentata , medicated leaven) 10–15g
- Shān zhī zǐ (山栀子 Gardeniae Fructus, gardenia [fruit]) 10–15g
Action: Moves qì and resolves depression.
Indication: Depressed qì (or depressed blood, phlegm, fire, dampness, or food) with oppression in the chest and stomach duct, belching, acid swallowing,
Category: Qì-rectifying formulas / Qì-moving formulas
Method: Swallow with warm water or decoct with water.
Dosage: 6–9g 1–2 times a day.
Rationale: This formula treats the six depressions caused by binding depression of liver and spleen qì. Since depressed qì is the underlying cause of the other five, this formula focuses on moving qì. The sovereign agent is Xiāng fù, which courses the liver and rectifies the spleen, moving qì and resolving depression. Cāng zhú dries dampness and fortifies the spleen, treating dampness. Shén qū disperses food and harmonizes the center, treating food depression (food accumulation). Chuān xiōng quickens the blood, treating qì depression. Zhī zǐ clears heat and eliminates vexation, treating fire depression. Since phlegm develops from dampness and is associated with depressed qì, fire, or food, it is covered by the other agents.
Variations:
Qì depression : Add Mù xiāng (木香 Aucklandiae Radix, costusroot), Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark), Yù jīn (郁金 Curcumae Radix, curcuma [root]),zhike , Fó shǒu (佛手 Sacrodactylis Fructus, Buddha's hand [fruit]), Chái hú (柴胡 Bupleuri Radix, bupleurum [root]), Qīng pí (青皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, unripe tangerine peel), and Wū yào (乌药 Linderae Radix, lindera [root]).- Damp depression: Make Cāng zhú (苍朮 Atractylodis Rhizoma, atractylodes [rhizome]) the chief agent (sovereign), and add Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria), Zé xiè (泽泻 Alismatis Rhizoma, alisma [tuber]), and Yì yǐ rén (薏苡仁 Coicis Semen, coix [seed]).
- Blood depression: With Zhī zǐ (栀子 Gardeniae Fructus, gardenia [fruit]) as chief: Add Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]), Qīng dài (青黛 Indigo Naturalis , indigo), and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).
Food depression : Increase Shén qū (神曲 Massa Medicata Fermentata , medicated leaven) (making it the sovereign): Add Shān zhā (山楂 Crataegi Fructus, crataegus [fruit]) and Mài yá (麦芽 Hordei Fructus Germinatus, barley sprout).Fire depression : Increase the Zhī zǐ (栀子 Gardeniae Fructus, gardenia [fruit]) and add Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).- Phlegm depression: Add Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) and Guā lóu (瓜蒌 Trichosanthis Fructus, trichosanthes [fruit]).