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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Ingredients:

• Chái hú (柴胡 Bupleuri Radix, bupleurum [root]) 6–12g
• Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]) 5–10g
• Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) 6–9g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 9–12g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix–fried) 3–6g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 2–4g
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 4–6g

Action: Harmonizes and resolves the lesser yáng (shào yáng); supports right qì and eliminates evils.

Indication: Lesser yáng disease with alternating heat effusion and aversion to cold, fullness in the chest and rib-side, no desire for food and drink, heart vexation, nausea and vomiting, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, and dizzy vision. Tongue fur: Thin and white. Pulse: Stringlike. Also used for heat entering the blood chamber in women, for malaria, and for jaundice.

Category: Harmonization formulas / Lesser yáng harmonization formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Chái hú is a cool acrid agent that outthrusts mid-stage evils. Huáng qín clears mid-stage heat. The two combined harmonize the lesser yáng. Bàn xià and Shēng jiāng harmonize the stomach and downbear counterflow, treating gallbladder qì invading the stomach. Rén shēn —or Dǎng shēn—, Gān cǎo, and Dà zǎo stimulate stomach qì, helping to prevent the evil from passing into the interior. Thus, as a whole, the formula clears and outthrusts the evil and strengthens right qì, as well as harmonizing the lesser yáng (shào yáng).

Variations:

• Heart vexation without vomiting: Omit Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) and Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root]), and add Guā lóu zǐ (瓜蒌子 Trichosanthis Semen, trichosanthes seed).
• Thirst: Omit Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) and add Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root]) and Tiān huā fěn (天花粉 Trichosanthis Radix, trichosanthes root).
• Pain in the abdomen: Omit Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]) add Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]).
• Hard glomus under the rib-side: Omit Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) and add Mǔ lì (牡蛎 Ostreae Concha, oyster shell).
• Heart palpitation below the heart and inhibited urination: Omit Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]) and add Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria).
• Absence of thirst and slight heat in the outer body: Omit Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root]) and add Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig) to induce sweating.
• Cough: Omit Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root]), Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube), Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger), and add Wǔ wèi zǐ (五味子 Schisandrae Fructus, schisandra [berry]) and Gān jiāng (干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma, dried ginger). (These are the original variations).

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