Search in formulas
Three Kernels Decoction
三仁汤 〔三仁湯〕sān rén tāng
Source: Wēn Bìng Tiáo Biàn 温病条辨
Ingredients:
- Xìng rén (杏仁 Armeniacae Semen, apricot kernel) 9–15g
- Bái kòu rén (白蔻仁 Amomi Fructus Rotundus, cardamom) 3–6g
- Shēng yì rén (生薏仁 Coicis Semen Crudum, raw coix seed) 9–18g
- Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark) 3–6g
- Tōng cǎo (通草 Tetrapanacis Medulla, rice-paper plant pith) 3–6g
- Huá shí (滑石 Talcum , talcum) 12–18g
- Dàn zhú yè (淡竹叶 Lophatheri Herba, lophatherum) 3–6g
- Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) (processed) 6–9g
Action: Diffuses qì; clears heat and disinhibits dampness.
Indication: Initial stages of damp warmth or summerheat warmth with dampness, in which the evils are in the qì aspect and the dampness is more pronounced than the heat. Signs: oppression in the chest,
Category: Dampness-dispelling formulas / Heat-clearing dampness-dispelling formulas
Method: Decoct with water.
Warnings: Do not use if dampness has started to transform and give way to signs of
Rationale: Xìng rén diffuses the lung and disinhibits qì. Bái dòu kòu, Hòu pò, and Bàn xià are aromatic and rectify qì so as to dry dampness. Tōng cǎo, Yì yǐ rén, and Huá shí disinhibit dampness. Dàn zhú yè combined with Huá shí is a cool acrid combination that drains heat. The formula the formula contains acrid agents that open the upper burner, agents that percolate damp in the lower burner, and agents that dry damp in the center burner, with the emphasis on drying dampness.
Variations:
- Equally pronounced dampness and heat: Add Lián qiào (连翘 Forsythiae Fructus, forsythia [fruit]) and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).
- Unresolved exterior pattern with
aversion to cold : Add Xiāng rú (香薷 Moslae Herba, mosla) and Qīng hāo (青蒿 Artemisiae Annuae Herba, sweet wormwood). Alternating heat effusion and aversion to cold : Add Cǎo guǒ (草果 Tsaoko Fructus, tsaoko [fruit]) and Chái hú (柴胡 Bupleuri Radix, bupleurum [root]).- Pyelonephritis: Add Mǎ chǐ xiàn (马齿苋 Portulacae Herba, purslane), Jīn yín huā (金银花 Lonicerae Flos, lonicera [flower]), and Jīn qián cǎo (金钱草 Lysimachiae Herba, moneywort).