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Source: Shāng Hán Liù Shū 伤寒六书

Alternate Chinese names: 参归承气汤

Ingredients:

• Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) 9–12g
• Máng xiāo (芒硝 Natrii Sulfas , mirabilite) 6–9g
• Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark) 6–9g
• Zhǐ shí (枳实 Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, unripe bitter orange) 6–9g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 3–6g
• Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 6–9g
• Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) 3–6g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 1–3g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 1–3g
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 3–5g

Action: Supports right qì and causes offensive precipitation.

Indication: Yáng brightness bowel repletion pattern with insufficiency of qì and blood (right qì vacuity and evil repletion), characterized by heat bind with circumfluence (rè jié páng liú), diarrhea with thin foul-smelling stool, abdominal pain exacerbated by pressure, heat effusion and thirst, lassitude of spirit and scantness of breath. Tongue: Prickly with dry yellow fur. Pulse: Fine and forceless.

Category: Draining-precipitation formulas / Simultaneous attack and supplementation formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Warnings: Unsuitable for cold disease with evil repletion and vacuity of right qì.

Rationale: Dà huáng, Máng xiāo, Zhǐ shí and Hòu pò, which together constitute Dà chéng qì tāng (大承气汤 Major Qì-Coordinating Decoction), clears heat and frees the stool, flushing out the repletion heat accumulation in the stomach and intestines through the stool. Since this formula addresses patterns that include signs of dual vacuity of qì and blood, for which offensive treatment would have negative effects, the sovereign agents are supported by Dāng guī and Rén shēn to supplement qì and blood. Jié gěng helps to free the stool by opening lung qì. Ginger, Dà zǎo, and Gān cǎo stimulate stomach qì, strengthening the source of engendering transformation. This formula is thus one of simultaneous supplementation and attack.

Similar: Dà chéng qì tāng (大承气汤 Major Qì-Coordinating Decoction)

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