[Source]

Collection of Formulas of the Bureau of Imperial Medical Administration for the People’s Welfare (1110 AD), Vol. 8; Discussion of the Causes and Symptoms of Diseases in the Threefold Origin Theory (1591 AD).

 [Composition]

Oyster Shell (Mu Li), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), Ephedra Twig (Ma Huang Gen – root part), Floating Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai – with wheat for decoction)

 [Categorization]

<Tonifying Qi>: Astragalus Root (Huang Qi)

<Acrid and Warm for Releasing the Exterior>: Ephedra Root (Ma Huang Gen)

<Astringent>: Floating Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai)

<Calming the Shen>: Oyster Shell (Mu Li)

[Explanation of Formula]

Yi Fang: (1) This formula belongs to the Tai Yin and Shao Yin channels of the hand. (2) Chen Lai Zhang stated: “Sweat is the fluid of the Heart; if the Heart has fire, sweat will not stop. The salty coolness of Oyster Shell (Mu Li) and Floating Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai) removes vexation heat and stops sweating. Yang is the guard of Yin; if Yang Qi is deficient, the guard will not be firm. The sweet warmth of Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) and Ephedra Root (Ma Huang Gen) goes to the superficial layer to firm the guard.” Cheng Fang Bian Du: Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) firms the guard and benefits Qi. The Ephedra Root (Ma Huang Gen) leads it to the exterior to stop sweating; Oyster Shell (Mu Li), which is salty and cold, subdues the deficient Yang and astringes the body fluids. Wheat is the grain of the Heart, and its bran is cool. Used to enter the Heart, it reduces vexation heat. This treats spontaneous sweating due to the guard Yang not being firm and the Heart having deficient heat.

 [Functions]

Tonify Qi and consolidate the exterior, astringe Yin and stop sweating.

 [Indications]

Spontaneous sweating and night sweats due to deficiency of Qi and Yang, especially occurring during sleep, with palpitations, fright, seminal emission, shortness of breath, fatigue, pale red tongue, and a weak and thready pulse. In cases of physical weakness and insecure Wei Yang. Yi Fang: Yang deficiency spontaneous sweating.

 [Indications (Western Medicine)]

Weakness after illness, surgery, or childbirth, leading to spontaneous sweating and night sweats caused by autonomic dysfunction.

 [Contraindications]

(1) This formula is suitable for spontaneous sweating and night sweats caused by insecure exterior defense due to deficiency and un-subdued Heart Yang. It is not suitable for night sweats caused by Yin deficiency with fire blazing or by damp-heat.

 [Mnemonics]

(1) Mother Li – Li Mother, Li Woman —- Li Woman rides a horse (蠣浮耆麻) #(2) Riding a horse to sell oysters (耆麻麥蠣)#

 [Modifications]

(1) For Yang deficiency, add Aconite (Fu Zi) and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu) to assist Yang and consolidate the exterior. (2) For Qi deficiency, increase Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), and add Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu) to strengthen the Spleen, benefit Qi, and consolidate the exterior. (3) For Yin deficiency, add prepared Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di), White Peony Root (Bai Shao), Wolfberry Root Bark (Di Gu Pi), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong), and Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui) to nourish Yin and astringe sweat. (4) For combined Qi and Yin deficiency, add Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu), Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong), and Jujube (Da Zao) to nourish Yin and tonify Qi. (5) For Blood deficiency, add prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di) and Polygonum Multiflorum (He Shou Wu) to nourish Yin and Blood. (6) For predominant spontaneous sweating, add Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu) and Siler Root (Fang Feng) to enhance Qi tonification, exterior consolidation, and sweat cessation. (7) For Yin deficiency with exuberant Yang, and weakened Heart and Kidneys, add prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di), Cornus Fruit (Shan Yu Rou), and Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren) to tonify the Heart and Kidneys. (8) For internal steaming of deficient heat, and the Lung being scorched by heat, add Phragmites Rhizome (Wei Jing) and Coix Seed (Yi Ren) to clear heat and resolve phlegm. (9) Adding Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhi Mu) to this formula results in <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/牡蠣散/’>Oyster Shell Powder in Shi Yi De Xiao Fang, which treats various deficiencies and sudden weakness. (10) Removing Ephedra Twig (Ma Huang Gen), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), and Floating Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai), and adding Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu) and Siler Root (Fang Feng) results in <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/牡蠣散/’>Oyster Shell Powder in Qian Jin Fang, which treats night sweats upon lying down and wind-induced headache due to deficiency. (11) Removing Ephedra Twig (Ma Huang Gen), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), and Floating Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai), and adding Celosia Cristata (Han Shui Shi), Lead Powder (Qian Shuang), Realgar (Zhu Sha), Licorice Root (Gan Cao), and burnt fan ash results in <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/牡蠣散/’>Oyster Shell Powder in Pu Ji Fang, which treats excessive sweating due to Heart heat. (12) Removing Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) and adding Platycladus Orientalis Seed (Bai Zi Ren), Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen) (or Ginseng (Ren Shen)), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu), Pinellia Tuber (Ban Xia), and Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) results in Platycladus Orientalis Seed (Bai Zi Ren) Pill in Cheng Fang Qie Yong, which treats night sweats due to Yin deficiency, characterized by Yin deficiency vexation, difficulty sleeping, night sweats during sleep, a red tongue, and a fine, rapid pulse. (13) Removing Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), Ephedra Root (Ma Huang Gen), and Floating Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai), and adding Ligusticum Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui), prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Poria Cocos (Fu Ling), Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi), Artemisia Leaf (Ai Ye), Dragon Bone (Long Gu), Dipsacus Root (Xu Duan), Sanguisorba Root (Di Yu), and Licorice Root (Gan Cao), also results in <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/牡蠣散/’>Oyster Shell Powder, which treats persistent postpartum lochia, chest stuffiness, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, heavy sensation in the head and eyes, five-center heat, and sallow complexion with emaciation.

 [Pharmacological Actions]

Functions include stopping sweating, enhancing immunity, and promoting metabolism.