【Source】

《A Sequel to Renowned Physicians’ Case Records (1770)‧Heart and Stomach Pain》Volume 18, 《Medical Talks of Liuzhou (1770)》. Note: 《A Sequel to Renowned Physicians’ Case Records》was written by Wei Zhixiu of the Qing Dynasty. 《Medical Talks of Liuzhou》was originally written by Wei Zhixiu of the Qing Dynasty, with Wang Shixiong editing and adding commentary to 85 entries in 《A Sequel to Renowned Physicians’ Case Records》, also published in the same year (1770).

 【Ingredients】

Northern Glehnia Root, Ophiopogon Root, Raw Rehmannia Root, Chinese Angelica Root, Lycium Fruit, Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit
(6)

 【Category】

<Blood Tonifying>：Chinese Angelica Root

<Yin Tonifying and Nourishing>：Ophiopogon Root、Glehnia Root

<Liver and Kidney Tonifying>：Lycium Fruit

<Heat Clearing and Blood Cooling>：Raw Rehmannia Root

<Qi Regulating>：Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit

【Formula Explanation】

《Clarification of Stroke》: Distending pain in the hypochondriac region, abdominal fullness, are mostly caused by liver qi not being smoothed, and excessive water running rampant. The method of treating the symptoms often uses fragrant and drying herbs to break up the qi, which is often effective for mild illnesses. However, drying will inevitably injure the yin, the fluids become more deficient and the qi becomes more stagnant, and the situation will inevitably become gradually more severe, and fragrant herbs and qi-regulating herbs are not reliable. If the pulse is weak and the tongue is dry, and the fluids have already been injured, then qi-regulating herbs are even more poisonous. This formula of Liuzhou, although derived from the Gubenyuan (Root-Solidifying Pill) and Jilinggao (Collected Efficacy Paste) formulas, uniquely adds Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit to regulate the counterflow of liver qi and smooth its dispersing nature. It is the number one good medicine for nourishing liver yin. All those with insufficient blood, stagnation of the collaterals, unruly liver and gallbladder, and various diseases arising from these, can use it. The characteristic is to use the relationship between the Zang-Fu organs to establish the basis for prescribing medicine. The main treatment of this formula is liver disease. The kidney is the mother of the liver, and nourishing water can generate wood, softening its fierce nature. Therefore, Rehmannia Root and Lycium Fruit are used to nourish water and benefit the kidneys as the chief herbs. The lung governs the qi of the whole body. When the lung qi is clear and purifying, the governance has authority, and the various organs are nourished by its irrigation, and nourishing metal can control wood, to calm its rebellious power; the stomach is Yang above, and is originally restrained by wood, but the earth is strong and not insulted. Therefore, Glehnia Root and Ophiopogon japonicus clear the lungs and benefit the stomach, both as assistant herbs. Angelica Root enters the liver, nourishes and activates the blood, and its pungent aroma is good at dispersing, so it is used as a supporting herb, and one more Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit is added to drain the liver, unblock the collaterals, and regulate the flow of qi, so it is used as an guiding herb. Together, they are a good formula for nourishing water and containing wood, dredging earth and nourishing metal. In the formula, raw Rehmannia is heavily used as the chief herb, nourishing yin and blood to tonify the liver and kidneys, with Glehnia Root, Ophiopogon japonicus, Angelica Root, and Lycium Fruit as assistant herbs, cooperating with the chief herb to nourish yin, nourish blood, and generate fluids to soften the liver, and a small amount of Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit is used to drain the liver qi as a supporting-guiding herb, together to achieve the effect of nourishing yin and softening the liver instead of draining the liver. Among them, Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit is bitter and cold in nature, although there is a saying that bitterness and dryness injure yin, but if it is paired in a formula that nourishes yin and nourishes blood, it will not harm yin, and this is precisely the difference between this formula and the various formulas that mainly regulate qi and drain the liver. Comparison: This formula and Xiaoyao San both treat hypochondriac pain caused by liver depression, but the syndromes of the two formulas are different. Xiaoyao San is caused by emotional imbalance and stagnation of liver qi, causing hypochondriac pain; and because the liver reverses and overwhelms the spleen, it also shows fatigue and less food, so it is treated by soothing the liver and relieving depression, strengthening the spleen and nourishing blood. Yi Guan Jian is caused by insufficient liver yin and qi stagnation generating heat, leading to hypochondriac pain; and because the depressed heat does not dissipate and invades the stomach, it also shows acid regurgitation and bitter vomiting, so it is based on nourishing the liver and kidneys and draining the liver qi.

 【Function】

Nourishes the liver and kidneys, soothes the liver and regulates qi.

 【Effect】

Liver and kidney yin deficiency, liver stagnation and qi stagnation, blood dryness and qi stagnation, manifested as discomfort or pain in the chest and hypochondria, acid regurgitation and bitter vomiting, dry throat and dry mouth, red tongue with little fluid, fine and weak or empty and wiry pulse.

 【Indications】

Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diabetes, chronic hepatitis with liver area pain belonging to liver and kidney yin deficiency, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, multiple oral ulcers.

 【Contraindications】

(1) Contraindicated in those with phlegm retention and accumulation of drink, turbid and greasy tongue coating, and no signs of yin deficiency. (2) The four words “no body fluids on the tongue” should be noted. If the tongue coating is turbid and greasy, it is not suitable; (3) It is contraindicated in all cases of qi, blood, fire, food, phlegm, and dampness stagnation that are not accompanied by yin deficiency. (4) This formula contains many greasy herbs and should not be used for those with phlegm retention and accumulation of drink.

 【Mnemonic】

Pick up sand gold, one string to sell locally (Chinaberry, Glehnia, Lycium, Angelica, local Mai)#

 【Modifications】

(1) If there is deficiency heat or excessive sweating, add Lycium Bark to clear deficiency heat. (2) If there is excessive phlegm, add Fritillaria Bulb to clear heat and resolve phlegm. (3) If the tongue is red and dry, and yin deficiency is severe, add Dendrobium to nourish yin. (4) If there is hypochondriac distention and pain, and it feels hard to the touch, add Turtle Shell to soften hardness and dissipate nodules. (5) If there is vexing heat and thirst, add Anemarrhena Rhizome and Gypsum to clear heat and generate fluids. (6) If there is abdominal pain, add Peony and Licorice to relieve and stop pain. (7) If the two feet are weak and soft, add Achyranthes Root and Coix Seed. (8) If there is insomnia, add Ziziphus Spinosa Seed to soften the liver and calm the spirit. (9) If there is bitter and dry mouth, add Coptis Rhizome to clear heat. (10) If there is distention after eating, add <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/砂仁/’>Amomum Fruit and Chicken Gizzard Membrane to eliminate food, guide stagnation, promote qi, and eliminate distention.

 【Pharmacology】

Has anti-liver damage, anti-gastric ulcer, anti-fatigue, hypoxia tolerance, sedative, analgesic, and antibacterial effects.