Back to previous page Search again ↑

Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Ingredients:

• Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig) 9g
• Sháo yào (芍药 Paeoniae Radix, peony [root]) 9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix–fried) 6g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 9g
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 12 pieces

Action: Resolves the flesh and effuses the exterior; harmonizes provisioning and defense.

Indication: External contraction of wind-cold. Signs: headache, heat effusion, sweating, aversion to wind, nasal congestion with clear snivel, dry retching, absence of thirst. Tongue fur: Thin, white, moist, and glossy. Pulse: Floating and moderate or floating and weak.

Category: Exterior-resolving formulas / Warm acrid exterior-resolving formulas

Method: Decoct with water. Note that although the original formula does not specify which kind of shaoyao to use, baishao is used.

Warnings: (1) Do not use in exterior repletion patterns with absence of sweating. (2) Do not use in the initial-stage warm disease with interior heat, thirst, and rapid pulse.

Rationale: Guì zhī is acrid and warm; it dispels wind and disperses cold, resolving the fleshy exterior. Cold sour Bái sháo boosts yīn and harmonizes the interior, thereby securing provisioning. Both agents together harmonize provisioning and defense, resolving the exterior evil and harmonizing the qì of the interior. Shēng jiāng and Dà zǎo supplement qì and blood and enhance action of harmonizing provisioning and defense, while the Gān cǎo serves three purposes: (a) it helps the Guì zhī to reinforce yáng; (b) it helps the sweet and sour yīn-forming action of Sháo yào; (c) it works with the Dà zǎo to nourish and harmonize stomach qì.

Variations:

• Running piglet: Increase the Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig); if there is abdominal pain, increase the Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]).
• Impediment (bì): Add Wēi líng xiān (威灵仙 Clematidis Radix, clematis [root]), Wǔ jiā pí (五加皮 Acanthopanacis Cortex, acanthopanax [root bark]), and Shí nán téng (石南藤 Photiniae Caulis, photinia stem).
• Child enuresis: Add Sāng piāo xiāo (桑螵蛸 Mantidis Oötheca, mantis egg case), Yì zhì rén (益智仁 Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus, alpinia [fruit]), and Wū yào (乌药 Linderae Radix, lindera [root]).
• Dampness: Add Máo zhú (茅朮 Atractylodis Rhizoma Maoshanense%#%, Maoshan atractylodes [root]), Qiāng huó (羌活 Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, notopterygium [root]), Dú huó (独活 Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, pubescent angelica), Fáng jǐ (防己 Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, fangji [root]), Chì xiǎo dòu (赤小豆 Vignae Semen, rice bean), Fú líng pí (茯苓皮 Poriae Cutis, poria skin), and Chē qián cǎo (车前草 Plantaginis Herba, plantago).
• Insufficiency of provisioning-blood: Add Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) and Hé shǒu wū (何首乌 Polygoni Multiflori Radix, flowery knotweed [root]).

Back to previous page Search again