[Source]

Essentials from the Golden Chamber

 [Composition]

Fang Ji, Gan Cao, Bai Zhu, Huang Qi, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao
(6)

 [Category]

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Da Zao, Bai Zhu, Gan Cao

<Tonify Qi>: Huang Qi

<Dispel Wind and Dampness (Exterior Releasing)>: Sheng Jiang

<Expel Wind and Dampness>: Fang Ji

[Analysis of Formula]

From “Medical Formulas”: Foot Taiyang and Taiyin Herbs. (1) Fang Ji: Great bitter and cold, it travels through the twelve meridians, opens orifices and disperses dampness, and is the primary herb for wind edema and water edema. (2) Huang Qi: Used raw, it reaches the exterior, treats wind-induced pain of the skin and aching muscles, warms the muscles, and solidifies the body. (3) Bai Zhu: Strengthens the spleen and dries dampness. Together with Huang Qi, it stops sweating and serves as an assistant. (4) Fang Ji: Its nature is steep and swift, so Gan Cao, which is sweet and neutral, is used to moderate it, and it also tonifies Earth and controls water, serving as a deputy. (5) Ginger and Jujube: Pungent and sweet, they disperse and harmonize the Ying and Wei, serving as guides. From “Commentary on Formulas”: Fang Feng and Fang Ji are both herbs that affect the exterior and disperse. However, one primarily addresses wind and the other dampness, so their uses differ. Therefore, this formula does not use Fang Feng to disperse wind, but rather Fang Ji to move dampness. However, the disease arises from exterior deficiency. If the protective yang is not strengthened, even using Fang Ji will not lead to the direct elimination of the pathogen and recovery from the illness. Therefore, Huang Qi is used to assist the protective qi externally, while Bai Zhu and Gan Cao tonify the virtue of Earth internally. Ginger and jujube are added to move the Ying and Wei, allowing Fang Ji to exert its full effect. After taking the medicine, if it feels like insects crawling under the skin, the dampness in the upper body is about to be resolved. If the lower body feels icy, cover it with a quilt, allowing for a slight sweat, and the dampness will be resolved from below. Although the lower body is affected, the pathogen is still on the exterior, and it should still be resolved by sweating. From “Chinese Medicine Dictionary”: This formula is composed of Fang Ji, Huang Qi, Gan Cao, Bai Zhu, Sheng Jiang, and Da Zao. Fang Ji and Bai Zhu have diuretic and pain-relieving effects. Huang Qi removes water from the body surface and improves skin nourishment. Da Zao and Gan Cao improve the taste and harmonize the other herbs. Sheng Jiang strengthens the stomach.

 [Actions]

Tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen, promotes urination and reduces swelling, dispels wind and relieves pain.

 [Indications]

(1) Wind-dampness, wind-water edema, presenting with aversion to wind with sweating, heavy body and edema, scanty urination, floating pulse, and damp-type bi syndrome with heavy, numb, and painful joints. (2) Obese women with superficial water retention, fatigue, and excessive sweating. “Medical Formulas”: Wind-water edema with floating pulse, heavy body, aversion to wind with sweating, and all wind and dampness conditions, numbness and body pain.

 [Diseases]

Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic nephritis, edema due to heart disease, functional edema, hypertension, hyperhidrosis, obesity, leg ulcers, irregular menstruation.

 [Mnemonic]

Formula name + Zhu + three assistants Gan, Jiang, Zao.

 [Modifications]

From “Medical Formulas”: (1) Abdominal pain: add Shao Yao. (2) Asthma: add Ma Huang. (3) Cold present: add Xi Xin. (4) Qi rising: add Gui Zhi. (5) Swelling with heat: add Huang Qin. (6) Cold with severe cramping pain: add Ginger and Gui Zhi. (7) Excess dampness: add Fu Ling, Cang Zhu. (8) Abdominal distention and hard pain: add Chen Pi, Zhi Ke, Su Ye. (1) For heavy waist and legs due to excess dampness, add Yi Ren, Fu Ling, Niu Xi to promote urination and seep dampness. (2) For chest and abdominal distention, add Chen Pi, Zhi Ke to move qi and open the middle. (3) For obesity, add Ze Xie to promote urination and reduce blood lipids. (4) For urticaria, add Fang Feng, Chan Yi, Tu Fu Ling to disperse wind, clear heat, and promote urination. (5) If the stomach is disharmonious, add 3 fen of Shao Yao; if there is lingering cold in the lower jiao, add 3 fen of Xi Xin.

 [Pharmacology]

It has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, cardiotonic, antihypertensive, and immune-enhancing effects.