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Source: Cǐ Shì Nán Zhī 此事难知

Ingredients

• Qiāng huó (羌活 Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, notopterygium [root]) 4.5g
• Fáng fēng (防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix, saposhnikovia) 3g
• Xì xīn (细辛 Asari Rhizoma et Radix, asarum) 1.5g
• Bái zhǐ (白芷 Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Dahurian angelica) 2.5g
• Chuān xiōng (川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuanxiong [rhizome]) 2.5g
• Cāng zhú (苍朮 Atractylodis Rhizoma, atractylodes [rhizome]) 3g
• Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]) 2.5g
• Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]) 2.5g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 2g

Actions: Resolves the exterior and dispels dampness; clears interior heat.

Indications: External contraction of wind, cold and damp evils. Signs: aversion to cold, heat effusion, absence of sweating, headache and stiff nape, pain in the limbs, thirst, and bitter taste in the mouth. Tongue: Red. Pulse: Floating and rapid.

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Qiāng huó is the principal agent since it is warm and acrid and disperses wind-cold as well as dispelling wind-damp, eliminating impediment (bì), and relieving pain. Fáng fēng, Cāng zhú, and Chuān xiōng help the Qiāng huó to dispel wind-damp, while Xì xīn and Bái zhǐ help to effuse wind-cold. A small amount of Shēng dì huáng and Huáng qín discharge interior heat. Gān cǎo balances the dryness of the Qiāng huó and Cāng zhú.

Variations:

• Mild dampness and mild limb pain: Omit the Cāng zhú (苍朮 Atractylodis Rhizoma, atractylodes [rhizome]) and Xì xīn (细辛 Asari Rhizoma et Radix, asarum).
• Severe dampness with fullness in the chest: Omit the Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]), and add Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark) and zhike.
• Absence of internal heat: Omit the Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]) and Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]).
• Severe limb pain: Double the quantity of Qiāng huó (羌活 Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, notopterygium [root]).
• Headache: Add Gǎo běn (藁本 Ligustici Rhizoma, Chinese lovage [root]).

Similar: Jīng fáng bài dú sǎn (荆防败毒散 Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia Toxin-Vanquishing Powder)

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