Back to previous page Search again ↑

Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略

Ingredients:

• Guā lóu (瓜蒌 Trichosanthis Fructus, trichosanthes [fruit]) 12–24g
• Xiè bái (薤白 Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus, long-stamen onion [bulb]) 9–12g
• Bái jiǔ (白酒 Granorum Vinum/Spiritus Incolor%#%, white liquor) 15–30g

Action: Frees yáng and disperses binds; dispels phlegm and precipitates qì.

Indication: Chest impediment (xiōng bì) with dull pain and oppression in the chest, sometimes radiating through to the back, cough with copious phlegm, and rapid breathing. Tongue fur: White and slimy. Pulse: Sunken and either stringlike or tight.

Category: Qì-rectifying formulas / Qì-moving formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Guā lóu is bitter and cold; it transforms phlegm and loosens the chest. Xiè bái is warm acrid, slippery, mobile agent that frees yáng in the chest and helps Guā lóu to eliminate phlegm turbidity. Rice wine move qì and quickens the blood, helping the Xiè bái to move qì and free yáng. When the phlegm is eliminated and yáng is freed, the impediment (bì) pain disappears.

Variations:

• Chest impediment (xiōng bì) with strong cold evil: Add Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger) and Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]).
• Gripping heart pain (angina pectoris): Add Dān shēn (丹参 Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, salvia [root]), Chì sháo (赤芍 Paeoniae Radix Rubra, red peony [root]), and Sān qī (三七 Notoginseng Radix, notoginseng [root]).

Back to previous page Search again