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Source: Yī Xué Zhōng Zhōng Cān Xī Lù 医学衷中参西录

Ingredients:

• Huái niú xī (淮牛膝 Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, achyranthes [root]) 9–30g
• Dài zhě shí (代赭石 Haematitum , hematite) 15–30g
• Shēng mǔ lì (生牡蛎 Ostreae Concha Cruda, crude oyster shell) 15–30g
• Shēng lóng gǔ (生龙骨 Mastodi Ossis Fossilia Cruda, crude dragon bone) 9–15g
• Shēng guī bǎn (生龟版 Testudinis Plastrum Crudum, raw tortoise plastron) 9–15g
• Shēng sháo yào (生芍药 Paeoniae Radix Cruda, raw peony [root]) 9–15g
• Xuán shēn (玄参 Scrophulariae Radix, scrophularia [root]) 9–15g
• Tiān dōng (天冬 Asparagi Radix, asparagus [root]) 9–15g
• Chuān liàn zǐ (川楝子 Toosendan Fructus, toosendan [fruit]) 5–9g
• Shēng mài yá (生麦芽 Hordei Fructus Germinatus Crudus, raw barley sprout) 5–9g
• Yīn chén (茵陈 Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, virgate wormwood) 5–9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 3–6g

Action: Settles the liver and extinguishes wind.

Indication: Liver yáng transforming into wind. Signs: dizziness, headache with sensation of heat in the brain, distension in the eyes (目胀 mù zhàng), tinnitus, heat vexation in the heart, fright palpitations, and insomnia, gradual inhibition of the limbs and deviation of the eyes and face, or sudden collapse leaving the limbs paralyzed after consciousness is regained. Pulse: Long, stringlike and forceful.

Category: Wind-relieving formulas / Internal wind formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Warnings: Not to be taken by hypertensive patients with wind-damp (rheumatism) or water swelling.

Rationale: Niú xī conducts blood downward and inhibiting yáng hyperactivity. It also enriches the kidney and liver, thereby treating the root. Zhě shí downbears qì and settles counterflow, as well as calming the liver and subduing yáng. These two are the sovereign agents in the formula. Lóng gǔ and Mǔ lì help to calm the liver and subdue yáng. Guī bǎn, Xuán shēn, Tiān dōng, and Bái sháo nourish the liver and kidney, and also calm the liver and extinguish wind. Yīn chén, Chuān liàn zǐ, and Mài yá clear liver yáng, and restore the orderly reaching of liver qì, helping the action of the liver-calming yáng-subduing agents. Gān cǎo acts with the Mài yá to harmonize the stomach.

Variations:

• Copious phlegm: Add Dǎn xīng (胆南星 Arisaema cum Bile , bile [-processed] arisaema [root]) and Chuān bèi mǔ (川贝母 Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, Sìchuān fritillaria [bulb]).
• Pulse vacuous under heavy pressure: Add Shú dì huáng (熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, cooked rehmannia [root]) and Shān zhū yú (山茱萸 Corni Fructus, cornus [fruit]).
• Stool that is not solid: Omit Guī bǎn (龟版 Testudinis Plastrum, tortoise plastron) and Zhě shí (赭石 Haematitum , hematite) and add Chì shí zhī (赤石脂 Halloysitum Rubrum , halloysite).
• Hypertension: Add Xià kū cǎo (夏枯草 Prunellae Spica, prunella [spike]), Gōu téng (钩藤 Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis, uncaria [stem and thorn]), Jú huā (菊花 Chrysanthemi Flos, chrysanthemum [flower]), Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]), and Yù mǐ xū (玉米须 Maydis Stigma, corn silk).

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