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Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略

Ingredients:

• Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) 6–9g
• Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark) 3–6g
• Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 9–12g
• Zǐ sū yè (紫苏叶 Perillae Folium, perilla leaf) 6–9g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 4–5 slices

Action: Rectifies qì and resolves depression; downbears counterflow and transforms phlegm.

Indication: Emotional depression with congealing phlegm-drool and plum-pit qì (globus hystericus); phlegm-damp congestion causing fullness in the chest and rapid breathing; painful glomus in the center stomach duct with vomiting.

Category: Qì-rectifying formulas / Qì-moving formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Warnings: Contraindicated in depressed liver qì without phlegm or yīn vacuity with ascendant hyperactivity of liver yáng.

Rationale: The sovereign agent is Bàn xià, which is a warm, acrid agent that dries dampness and transforms phlegm, and also precipitates qì and downbears counterflow. Shēng jiāng is warm and acrid, and with Bàn xià it warms the stomach and checks vomiting as well as transforming phlegm and downbearing qì. Fú líng combined with Bàn xià percolates dampness and transforms phlegm. These three agents address the phlegm-drool congealing and causing blockage of the throat. Hòu pò is warm, bitter, and acrid; it precipitates qì and loosen the center, helping to relieve the counterflow ascent. Zǐ sū yè is an aromatic agent that opens depression and improves the patient's emotional state.

Variations:

• Severe food stagnation: Add Shā rén (砂仁 Amomi Fructus, amomum [fruit]), Shén qū (神曲 Massa Medicata Fermentata , medicated leaven), and Mài yá (麦芽 Hordei Fructus Germinatus, barley sprout).
• Stomach vacuity cold: Add Wú zhū yú (吴茱萸 Evodiae Fructus, evodia [fruit]), and use dried instead of Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger).
• Dry pharynx: Add Shā shēn (沙参 Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix, adenophora/glehnia [root]), Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]), and Yán hú suǒ (延胡索 Corydalis Rhizoma, corydalis [rhizome]).
• Distension and fullness in the chest and rib-side: Add Mù xiāng (木香 Aucklandiae Radix, costusroot), Qīng pí (青皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, unripe tangerine peel), and zhike.

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