【Source】

Shang Han Lun

 【Composition】

Peach Kernel, Rhubarb, Cinnamon Twig, Licorice, Mirabilite (Glauber’s salt)

 【Classification】

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Licorice

<Purge>: Mirabilite, Rhubarb

<Acrid and Warm Releasing Exterior>: Cinnamon Twig

<Invigorate Blood and Disperse Stasis>: Peach Kernel

【Formula Explanation】

Yi Fang: This formula belongs to the Foot Taiyang channel. (1) Rhubarb and Mirabilite: Purge heat and eliminate excess. (2) Licorice: Harmonizes the stomach and moderates the middle jiao. (3) Severe heat binds blood, causing blood to congeal and the liver to dry, hence the addition of bitter-sweet Peach Kernel to moisten dryness and soothe the liver. (4) The addition of acrid-warm Cinnamon Twig regulates the Ying (Nutritive) Qi and releases the exterior, directly reaching the site of blood stasis to move it. Yi Fang Kao: Peach Kernel moistens things, lubricating the intestines and blood. Rhubarb moves herbs, expelling the old and introducing the new. Mirabilite is salty, softening hardness and moistening dryness. Licorice is neutral, harmonizing the stomach and middle jiao. Cinnamon Twig is acrid, promoting blood circulation and removing stagnation. It is also said: Blood is cold when it stops, and it moves when it is hot. Cinnamon Twig‘s acrid warmth, combined with Peach Kernel, Mirabilite, and Rhubarb, allows it to enter the blood and assist in descending. This is the intention of the formula! Gu Fang Xuan Zhu: Tao Ren Cheng Qi Tang treats Taiyang heat accumulation that has been released but blood has re-congealed at the Shaoyang pivot. It is essential to purge blood to open the Yin, allowing Yin Qi to ascend. Rhubarb, Mirabilite, and Licorice all enter the blood. They must be led by Peach Kernel to directly reach the site of blood stasis and resolve the urgent congestion, still assisted by Cinnamon Twig to release the residual heat from Taiyang along the channel, resolving both internally and externally so that there is no lingering blood stasis. Han Dian: This is a formula derived from Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang by adding Cinnamon Twig and Peach Kernel. Cinnamon Twig and Peach Kernel remove stagnant blood and clear obstructions in blood circulation. Rhubarb and Mirabilite have the effect of purging and resolving hard masses. Licorice treats urgency.

 【Functions】

Invigorate blood and purge stasis, clear heat.

 【Indications】

Blood stasis in the lower jiao, distension and fullness in the lower abdomen, pain with aversion to touch, black stools, clear urine, fever, or even delirium, thirst, and manic behavior. Fever occurs at night, with a deep, forceful, or wiry pulse. Also for menstrual blockage due to blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, traumatic injuries with blood stasis, etc. Yi Fang: (1) Treats unresolved exterior symptoms of cold-damage, heat accumulation in the bladder, distension and fullness of the lower abdomen, black stools, clear urine, restlessness, thirst, delirium, blood stasis, and feverishness resembling madness (Shang Han, Taiyang Chapter). (2) Also for stomach pain with blood stasis, abdominal and flank pain, malaria with fever at night, dysentery, and acute pain from blood stasis. Shan Bu: Blood stasis in the chest that is unbearable to touch, or blood stasis in the middle jiao with chills and fever, chest fullness, aversion to spitting water, forgetfulness, and stupor resembling madness. This formula treats retained blood in the meridians and regulates menstruation.

 【Indications】

(1) Irregular menstruation, difficult menstruation, amenorrhea, menopausal disorders, endometritis, pelvic peritonitis, postpartum hemorrhage due to retained placenta, postpartum psychosis. (2) Intestinal obstruction, bacterial dysentery, pyelonephritis, mental illness, enteritis, pharyngitis.

 【Contraindications】

(1) This formula is suitable for conditions of blood stasis and excess. Use with caution in individuals with deficiency constitution. (2) Contraindicated during pregnancy.

 【Mnemonic】

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang + Peach Kernel, Cinnamon Twig.

 【Modifications】

(1) If accompanied by Qi stagnation, add Cyperus Rotundus, Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium Viride, Lindera to move Qi and relieve pain. (2) For traumatic injuries with blood stasis, stagnation, and severe pain preventing movement, add Red Peony Root, Angelica Sinensis tail, Safflower, Caesalpinia Sappan L. to invigorate blood, disperse stasis, and relieve pain. (3) For irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea due to excess patterns, add Angelica Sinensis, Safflower to invigorate blood and regulate menstruation. (4) For postpartum lochia retention, severe lower abdominal pain and distension, and difficulty breathing, add Typha Pollen, Belamcanda Chinensis Rhizoma to invigorate blood, disperse stasis, and relieve pain. (5) For excessive fire causing blood stasis in the upper body, leading to headache, dizziness, red eyes, facial flushing, vomiting, and nosebleeds, add Rehmannia Root, Moutan Bark, Gardenia Fruit, Achyranthes Bidentata Root to clear heat and cool blood. (6) If there is no fever resembling madness, use prepared Rhubarb instead of raw Rhubarb, and omit Mirabilite.

 【Pharmacology】

It has the effects of reducing blood viscosity, prolonging coagulation time, inhibiting thrombus formation and platelet aggregation, lowering blood sugar and lipids, anticonvulsant, purgative, anti-kidney failure, and antipyretic.