【Source】

《Shang Han Liu Shu》

 【Composition】

Astragalus, Ginseng, Cinnamon Twig, White Peony Root, Licorice Root, Aconite, Asarum, Notopterygium Root, Saposhnikovia Root, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, Roasted Ginger, Jujube Fruit
(12)

 【Category】

<Blood Tonic>: Peony Root

<Spleen and Middle Jiao Tonic>: Licorice Root, Jujube Fruit

<Qi Tonic>: Astragalus, Ginseng

<Exterior Releasing (Warm and Pungent)>: Notopterygium Root, Saposhnikovia Root, Cinnamon Twig, Roasted Ginger

<Interior Warming>: Asarum, Aconite

<Blood Circulating and Stasis Resolving>: Sichuan Lovage Rhizome

【Formula Analysis】

《Yi Fang》: This is a formula for the Greater Yang (Tai Yang) channel. The Classic states: “The sweat of Yang is named after the rain of Heaven. If Tai Yang disease does not sweat, it means the evil is flourishing and the true Yang is deficient.” (1) Therefore, Ginseng, Astragalus, Licorice Root, Ginger, Cinnamon, and Aconite are used to greatly tonify the Yang. (2) Notopterygium, Saposhnikovia, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, and Asarum are used to expel the exterior evil. (3) Adding White Peony Root is to astringe Yin within Yang, to gather within dispersion.

 【Functions】

Warms Yang and benefits Qi, induces sweating to release the exterior.

 【Indications】

Deficiency of Yang Qi, common cold due to wind-cold, headache, fever, aversion to cold without sweating, cold limbs, fatigue, pale complexion, weak voice, pale tongue with white coating, deep and weak pulse, or floating and large but weak pulse. 《Yi Fang》: Yang deficiency unable to sweat.

 【Therapeutic Uses】

Common cold, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), and other conditions.

 【Mnemonic】

Xinjiang Gu Fu Ren (Asarum, Ginger, Cinnamon, Aconite), as if riding a horse with Sichuan Lovage and burning Licorice Root to find again (Saposhnikovia, Notopterygium, Astragalus, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, White Peony Root, Licorice Root, Zai Zao).

 【Modifications】

(1) If aversion to cold is more severe, add Schizonepeta and Perilla leaf to enhance exterior-releasing effect. (2) If fever is more prominent, add Honeysuckle flower, Forsythia fruit, or Scutellaria root to clear heat and detoxify. (3) If bleeding has not stopped, add Donkey-hide gelatin, Bletilla striata, and Agrimonia pilosa to stop bleeding. (4) In hot summer, add Scutellaria root and Gypsum fibrosum.