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Source: Jǐng Yuè Quán Shū 景岳全书

Alternate Chinese names: 白朮芍药散

Ingredients:

• Bái zhú (白朮 Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, white atractylodes [root]) 6–9g
• Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]) 9–12g
• Chén pí (陈皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, tangerine peel) 6–9g
• Fáng fēng (防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix, saposhnikovia) 6–9g

Action: Emolliates the liver and relieves pain; fortifies the spleen and checks diarrhea.

Indication: Rumbling intestines, abdominal pain and diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain. Tongue fur: Thin and white. Pulse: Stringlike.

Category: Harmonization formulas / Liver-spleen harmonization formula

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Bái sháo calms the liver and relieves tension. Bái zhú fortifies the spleen and eliminates dampness. Thus, these two agents harmonize the liver and spleen, repressing the liver and banking up earth. Fáng fēng enters the liver and spleen, and combined with the Bái sháo and Bái zhú, it soothes the liver and moves the spleen. Chén pí is acrid in nature and rectifies qì. When stir-fried to bring out the aroma, it arouses the spleen, thereby promoting movement of qì, which helps to relieve pain. The strengthening of the spleen that it creates also helps to check diarrhea.

Variations:

• Pronounced abdominal pain: Double the Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]), Qīng pí (青皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, unripe tangerine peel), and Xiāng fù (香附 Cyperi Rhizoma, cyperus [rhizome]).
• Tenesmus: Add Bīng láng (槟榔 Arecae Semen, areca [nut]) and Mù xiāng (木香 Aucklandiae Radix, costusroot).
• Water diarrhea: Add Chē qián zǐ (车前子 Plantaginis Semen, plantago seed), Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria), and dry ginger.
• Stool like thin congee: Add Bái zhú (白朮 Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, white atractylodes [root]).
• Pus and blood in the stool: Add Bái tóu wēng (白头翁 Pulsatillae Radix, pulsatilla [root]) and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).
• Heat effusion: Add Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).

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