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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Alternate Chinese names: 旋覆代赭汤

Ingredients:

• Xuán fù huā (旋覆花 Inulae Flos, inula flower) (wrapped)9–12g
• Dài zhě shí (代赭石 Haematitum , hematite) 9–15g
• Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) 6–12g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix–fried) 3–5g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 3–5g
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 3 pieces

Action: Harmonizes the stomach; downbears counterflow; transforms phlegm.

Indication: Phlegm turbidity causing internal obstruction with stomach qì ascending counterflow, characterized by belching, hiccup, nausea and vomiting, and oppression in the stomach duct. Tongue fur: White and glossy. Pulse: Stringlike and vacuous.

Category: Qì-rectifying formulas / Qì-downbearing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Rén shēn—or Dǎng shēn— supplements qì and boosts the stomach. However, is not the sovereign agent in the formula, since the main sign main is belching, which reflects stomach qì ascending counterflow. Xuán fù huā is light in substance but is downbearing. It downbears qì and disperses phlegm. Zhě shí, being heavy and downbearing, calms the liver and downbears counterflow. Bàn xià disperses phlegm and downbears counterflow, as well as dispersing glomus and fullness. Shēng jiāng combined with Bàn xià downbears counterflow and checks retching. Gān cǎo and Dà zǎo help the Rén shēn to fortify the spleen and boost the stomach, but since they are sweet and clogging, they are probably of little help in this condition.

Variations:

• Copious phlegm: Add Chén pí (陈皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, tangerine peel) and Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria).
• Stomach vacuity cold: Use Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger) instead of Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger), and add Dīng xiāng (丁香 Caryophylli Flos, clove) and Shì dì (柿蒂 Kaki Calyx, persimmon calyx).
• Absence of stomach qì vacuity: Omit Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root]), mix-fried Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]), and Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube).
• Food stagnation: Add Jī nèi jīn (鸡内金 Galli Gigeriae Endothelium Corneum, gizzard lining) and Sān jiāo xiān (三焦仙 Crataegus, Hordeum et Massa Usti , three charred agents).
• Heat signs: Add Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).
• Stomach yīn vacuity: Add Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]) and Shí hú (石斛 Dendrobii Herba, dendrobium).

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