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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Ingredients:

• Wū méi (乌梅 Mume Fructus, mume [fruit]) 300g
• Shǔ jiāo (蜀椒 Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, zanthoxylum [husk]) 120g
• Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) 480g
• Huáng bǎi (黄柏 Phellodendri Cortex, phellodendron [bark]) 180g
• Xì xīn (细辛 Asari Rhizoma et Radix, asarum) 180g
• Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger) 300g
• Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]) (processed) 180g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 180g
• Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 120g

Action: Quiets roundworm and relieves pain.

Indication: Roundworm reversal with periodic abdominal pain, burning sensation below the heart, vexation and oppression, nausea, vomiting that sometimes brings up roundworm, cold limbs and a hidden or tight, stringlike pulse, and persistent diarrhea.

Category: Worm-expelling formulas

Method: Steep the mume overnight in 50% vinegar, remove pit, and crush. Form into 300 mg pills.

Rationale: This efficacy of this formula is explained by the theory that sourness quiets roundworm. Wū méi is sour and quiets roundworm. Fù zǐ, Gān jiāng, Guì zhī, Xì xīn, and Huā jiāo are warm acrid agents that warm the viscera and dispel cold. Huáng lián and Huáng bǎi drain stomach heat, causing the roundworm to descend. Rén shēn —or Dǎng shēn— and Dāng guī supplement qì and nourish the blood. The formula, which contains sour, acrid, and bitter agents, quiet the roundworm and make it descend, thus eliminating the root cause of the pain and reversal signs.

Variations:

• Absence of cold: Omit Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig), Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]), and Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger).
• Absence of right qì vacuity: Omit Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) and Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica).
• Pronounced abdominal pain: Add Mù xiāng (木香 Aucklandiae Radix, costusroot), Chuān liàn zǐ (川楝子 Toosendan Fructus, toosendan [fruit]) and Yán hú suǒ (延胡索 Corydalis Rhizoma, corydalis [rhizome]).
• Constipation: Add Bīng láng (槟榔 Arecae Semen, areca [nut]), Zhǐ shí (枳实 Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, unripe bitter orange), and Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb).
• Biliary ascariasis: Add Shǐ jūn zǐ (使君子 Quisqualis Fructus, quisqualis [fruit]) and Fěi zǐ (榧子 Torreyae Semen, torreya [nut]).
• Clonorchiasis: Add Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria), Fěi zǐ (榧子 Torreyae Semen, torreya [nut]), and Bīng láng (槟榔 Arecae Semen, areca [nut]).
• Amebic dysentery: Add Yā dǎn zǐ (鸦胆子 Bruceae Fructus, brucea [fruit]).
• Pronounced heat: Omit Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]) and Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger). (9.)Absence of upper body heat signs: Omit Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) and Huáng bǎi (黄柏 Phellodendri Cortex, phellodendron [bark]). (10.)Pronounced vomiting: Add Shān zhū yú (山茱萸 Corni Fructus, cornus [fruit]) and Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]). (11.)Constipation: Add Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) and Bīng láng (槟榔 Arecae Semen, areca [nut]).

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