【Source】

“Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber”

 【Composition】

Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root), Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Jing Mi (Polished Round-grained Rice), Da Zao (Jujube)
(6)

 【Categories】

<Nourishing Yin>: Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root)

<Strengthening Spleen & Middle Jiao>: Da Zao (Jujube), Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

<Tonifying Qi>: Ren Shen (Ginseng)

<Resolving Phlegm>: Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber)

<Miscellaneous Ingredients>: Jing Mi (Polished Round-grained Rice)

【Formula Rationale】

“Yi Fang” (Medical Formulas): A formula for the Hand Taiyin and Foot Yangming meridians. (1) Yu Jiayan said: This is a condition of gastric fluid depletion and exuberant deficiency fire ascending. Using cold-cool herbs causes the fire to ascend instead; one only knows to contend with the fire. Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) are repeatedly applied without effect, not realizing that the Stomach is the mother of Lung Qi. (2) Zhongjing (Zhang Zhongjing), with Mai Dong, Ren Shen (Ginseng), Jing Mi (Polished Round-grained Rice), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), and Da Zao (Jujube): forms a group that powerfully tonifies Middle Qi and generates fluids. (3) The addition of Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), an acrid-warm herb, is used to soothe the throat and descend Qi. This is not merely the inherent effect of Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), but rather the skillful application of Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), a wonder unprecedented in ancient and modern times. “Shan Bu” (Supplement and Revision): The Materia Medica mentions Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), stating that the Lungs rely on its cooling property, recognizing cooling as the mother of the Lungs. It also mentions Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb), stating that the Lungs rely on its phlegm-resolving property, recognizing resolving phlegm as the mother of the Lungs. However, when repeatedly applied to conditions of rebellious fire-induced upward surging Qi and throat discomfort, they repeatedly fail, meaning their names do not match their effects here. Who could have known Zhongjing’s brilliant method, adding the acrid-warm flavor of Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) to a powerful team of Mai Dong, Ren Shen (Ginseng), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Da Zao (Jujube), and Jing Mi (Polished Round-grained Rice), which tonifies Middle Qi to generate fluids, in order to open the Stomach, promote fluids, and moisten the Lungs? How could it just be for soothing the throat and descending Qi! Indeed, its effect of soothing the throat and descending Qi is not just Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber)‘s inherent ability, but rather the result of its skillful application. “Kan-po” (Chinese Materia Medica): This formula, due to its combination of Mai Men Dong, Ren Shen (Ginseng), Jing Mi (Polished Round-grained Rice), and other herbs with strengthening and moistening functions, with Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), which has phlegm-resolving and diuretic effects, further supported by Da Zao (Jujube) and Gan Cao (Licorice Root) which have harmonizing effects, can treat symptoms of body dryness, rebellious Qi surging upward, and throat discomfort that appear after severe illness or chronic pain, or in the elderly and weak. It is understood that Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root) and Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), when combined, have the effect of descending rebellious Qi.

 【Functions】

Nourishes Lung and Stomach, descends rebellious Qi and harmonizes the Middle Jiao, benefits Stomach and generates fluids.

 【Indications】

Stomach deficiency heat, insufficient fluids, rebellious Qi and ascending fire, Yin deficiency leading to Lung atrophy, coughing and rebellious Qi upward surging, difficult expectoration, or coughing up frothy sputum, wheezing and shortness of breath, dry mouth and throat, hot palms and soles, or rebellious Qi causing vomiting, thirst and dry throat, or red tongue with scanty coating, deficient and rapid pulse. “Yi Fang” (Medical Formulas): For rebellious fire-induced upward surging Qi, uncomfortable throat, to stop rebellious Qi and descend Qi, this decoction is indicated. “Shan Bu” (Supplement and Revision): For those with rebellious fire-induced upward surging Qi, uncomfortable throat, to stop rebellious Qi and descend Qi, this is indicated.

 【Clinical Applications】

Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, itchy throat and cough, pharyngitis, laryngeal tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer. Vomiting, chronic atrophic gastritis, stomach pain, peptic ulcer, gastroptosis, neurosis, aphonia, hoarseness. Menstrual disorders, retrograde menstruation, pregnancy cough, and other conditions. This formula can be used for conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, etc., where after fever subsides, cough attacks frequently occur, with facial flushing, difficulty expectorating sputum leading to vomiting, or hoarse voice.

 【Contraindications】

Not suitable for Lung atrophy due to deficiency-cold.

 【Mnemonic】

(1) Mai Men Dong Tang (Mai Men Dong Tang) — Gan Mai Ren, Xia Jing Zao (Gan Cao, Mai Men Dong, Ren Shen, Ban Xia, Jing Mi, Da Zao). (2) Mai Zao Ren, Cao Xia Mi (Mai Men Dong, Da Zao, Ren Shen, Gan Cao, Ban Xia, Jing Mi)#

 【Modifications】

“Kan-po” (Chinese Materia Medica): For hemoptysis in pulmonary tuberculosis, add Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Di Huang (Rehmannia Root). For cerebral hemorrhage with a surging and large pulse and upward rebellious sensation, add Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum). (1) If fluid damage is severe, add Sha Shen (Adenophora/Glehnia Root) and Yu Zhu (Solomon’s Seal Rhizome) to nourish Lung and Stomach and generate fluids. (2) For tidal fever, add Yin Chai Hu (Stellaria Root) and Di Gu Pi (Lycium Bark) to clear deficiency heat. (3) If rebellious fire is severe, add Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) and Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) to reduce fire.

 【Pharmacological Actions】

Has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-ulcer, antiemetic, antispasmodic, and appetite-stimulating effects.