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Patchouli Qì-Righting Powder
藿香正气散 〔藿香正氣散〕huò xiāng zhèng qì sǎn
Source: Hé Jì Jú Fāng 和剂局方
Ingredients:
- Huò xiāng (藿香 Pogostemonis Herba, patchouli) 9–15g
- Zǐ sū (紫苏 Perillae Folium, Caulis et Calyx, perilla [stem, leaf and calyx]) 6–9g
- Bái zhǐ (白芷 Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Dahurian angelica) 3–6g
- Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) 3–6g
- Bái zhú (白朮 Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, white atractylodes [root]) 6–9g
- Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark) 3–6g
- Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) 9g
- Dà fù pí (大腹皮 Arecae Pericarpium, areca husk) 6–9g
- Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 9–12g
- Chén pí (陈皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, tangerine peel) 5–9g
- Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix–fried) 3g
- Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 3 slices
- Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 1 piece
Action: Transforms dampness and resolves the exterior; rectifies qì and harmonizes the center.
Indication: External contraction of wind-cold with internal damp stagnation, manifesting as aversion to cold, heat effusion, headache, cough, oppression in the chest, nausea and vomiting, rumbling intestines, diarrhea, and bland taste in the mouth. Tongue fur: White and slimy.
Category: Dampness-dispelling formulas / Dampness-transforming stomach-harmonizing formulas
Method: Usually prepared as a decoction, but also available in pill and tablet form.
Dosage: 3–6g of pills, or 4–8 tablets, 2–3 times a day, with water.
Warnings: Contraindicated in
Rationale: Huò xiāng is warm, acrid, and aromatic. It resolves the exterior and disperses cold, while internally it repels foulness and transforms turbidity. It treats both the exterior and interior, and hence is used as the sovereign agent. Zǐ sū, Bái zhǐ, and Jié gěng disperse cold and disinhibit the diaphragm, helping the Huò xiāng to resolve the exterior evil. Hòu pò, Dà fù pí, Chén pí, and Bàn xià leaven move qì and eliminate fullness, helping the Huò xiāng course the internal stagnation. Bái zhú and Fú líng move the spleen and percolate dampness. Shēng jiāng, Gān cǎo, and Dà zǎo are an sweet, acrid yáng-forming combination.
Variations:
- Pronounced exterior patterns: Add Jīng jiè (荆芥 Schizonepetae Herba, schizonepeta) and Fáng fēng (防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix, saposhnikovia).
- Pronounced dampness with a slimy tongue fur: Add Pèi lán (佩兰 Eupatorii Herba, eupatorium) and Cāng zhú (苍朮 Atractylodis Rhizoma, atractylodes [rhizome]).
- Short voidings of scant urine: Add Mù tōng (木通 Akebiae Trifoliatae Caulis, trifoliate akebia) and Zé xiè (泽泻 Alismatis Rhizoma, alisma [tuber]).
Diarrhea with frequent defecation: Ròu dòu kòu (肉豆蔻 Myristicae Semen, nutmeg) and Chē qián cǎo (车前草 Plantaginis Herba, plantago).