【Source】

Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang (Formulary for the Peaceful Benevolent and Aid Bureau).

 【Composition】

Xiang Ru, Hou Po, Bai Bian Dou
(3)

 【Category】

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Bai Bian Dou

<Release Exterior with Acrid Warmth>: Xiang Ru

<Aromatically Transform Dampness>: Hou Po

【Formula Rationale】

From “Shan Bu”: Xiang Ru is aromatic, acrid, and warm. It can promote the Qi of the Yang and has the functions of reaching the upper and lower parts. Therefore, it is used as the monarch herb for treating summer-heat conditions to release the exterior and promote urination. It is assisted by Hou Po to remove dampness and by Bian Dou to harmonize the middle Jiao. Used together as a decoction. Once the decoction enters the stomach, heat is removed and dampness does not linger, thus resolving both internal and external summer-heat. From “Fang Ji Xue Tang”: Xiang Ru is acrid, warm, and aromatic, dispersing into the Qi level of the Spleen and Lung. Its acrid warmth can promote the Yang Qi, dispelling summer-heat, releasing the exterior, and transforming dampness, making it the primary herb in this formula. Hou Po is bitter and warm, moving Qi and relieving distension, drying dampness, and resolving stagnation, to relieve distension and fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen, making it the secondary herb. When combined with Xiang Ru, it assists in transforming dampness and harmonizing the middle Jiao. Bai Bian Dou is sweet and bland, strengthening the Spleen and harmonizing the middle Jiao, serving as an assistant herb. Wine can disperse and move, acting as a guiding herb.

 【Actions】

Dispels summer-heat, releases the exterior, transforms dampness, and harmonizes the middle Jiao.

 【Indications】

In summer and autumn, when the Zang-Fu organs are not in balance due to irregular eating and drinking, and summer-heat invades, causing the Yang Qi to be obstructed by Yin pathogens, leading to headache, fever, chills, irritability, thirst with desire to drink, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

 【Mnemonic】

Bian Dou has a strong aroma (Xiang Ru, Bian Dou, Hou Po).

 【Modifications】

(1) If cold pathogens are severe, with nasal congestion and runny nose, add Cong Shi Tang to enhance the action of releasing the exterior and dispelling cold. (2) If there is exterior cold and interior heat, with fever and thirst, add Huang Lian, becoming Si Wei Xiang Ru Yin (Four-Ingredient Xiang Ru Decoction), which treats all types of common cold and summer-heat conditions, steaming heat of the skin, heavy headache, spontaneous sweating and fatigue, or thirst, or vomiting and diarrhea. (3) If Bian Dou is removed from this formula and Huang Lian is added, it becomes Huang Lian Xiang Ru Yin, which treats severe interior and exterior heat, with significant thirst. (4) If Fu Ling and Gan Cao are added to this formula, it becomes Wu Wei Xiang Ru Yin (Five-Ingredient Xiang Ru Decoction), which treats more severe interior dampness and abdominal distension and diarrhea with exterior cold. (5) If Fu Ling, Gan Cao, and Mu Gua are added to this formula, it becomes Liu Wei Xiang Ru Yin (Six-Ingredient Xiang Ru Decoction), which treats leg cramps. (6) If Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, and Chen Pi are added to Liu Wei Xiang Ru Yin, it becomes Shi Wei Xiang Ru Yin (Ten-Ingredient Xiang Ru Decoction), which treats Qi deficiency in summer-heat diseases, with shortness of breath and excessive sweating. (7) If Liu Yi San is added to this formula to dispel summer-heat and promote dampness, it treats vexation, thirst, and reddish urine, with concurrent exterior cold and aversion to cold.