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Source: Qiān Jīn Fāng 千金方

Ingredients:

• Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) 6–9g
• Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]) 6–9g
• Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger) 3–6g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 6–9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 2–3g

Action: Warms and supplements spleen yáng; promotes offensive precipitation of cold accumulations.

Indication: Insufficiency of spleen yáng with cold accumulation constipation or enduring red and white dysentery, abdominal fullness and pain relieved by warmth and pressure, and lack of warmth in the extremities. Tongue fur: Glossy and white. Pulse: Sunken and stringlike.

Category: Draining-precipitation formulas / Warm precipitation

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Dà huáng is a cold bitter precipitant that flushes away accumulation and stagnation. However, since the formula is intended to address spleen yáng vacuity, the Dà huáng is combined with Fù zǐ, a hot acrid agent that warms the spleen and disperses cold. Dà huáng and Fù zǐ together curb each other's opposite natures without reducing each other's action. Gān jiāng, Rén shēn —or Dǎng shēn—, and Gān cǎo help the Fù zǐ to warm and supplement yáng qì. The formula as a whole precipitates the cold accumulation without damaging spleen yáng, and warms and supplements spleen yáng to help the abduction of the stagnation.

Variations:

• Additional presence of vomiting: Add Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) and Shā rén (砂仁 Amomi Fructus, amomum [fruit]).
• Pronounced abdominal pain: Ròu guì (肉桂 Cinnamomi Cortex, cinnamon bark) and Mù xiāng (木香 Aucklandiae Radix, costusroot).

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