【Source】

Volume Down, Lanshi Bizang (Secret Chamber of the Orchid).

 【Composition】

Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Sheng Dihuang (Raw Rehmannia Root), Shu Dihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huangqi (Astragalus Root)
(7 ingredients)

 【Ingredient Groups】

<Blood Tonifying>: Shu Dihuang, Danggui

<Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood>: Sheng Dihuang

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Huanglian, Huangbai, Huangqin

<Qi Tonifying>: Huangqi

【Formula Explanation】

Yi Fang states: This formula addresses the Shaoyin meridians of the hand and foot.

(1) Night sweats due to Yin deficiency are treated by Danggui and the two Dihuang roots, which nourish Yin.

(2) Sweating caused by fire disturbance is alleviated by Huangqin, Huangbai, and Huanglian, which clear fire.

(3) Sweating due to unstable Couli (skin pores) is addressed by doubling the dosage of Huangqi, thereby securing the exterior.

(4) Attached powdering method for sweating: Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Gaoben (Ligusticum Root), Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome), and rice flour are ground into a powder, placed in a silk bag, and patted all over the body. This treats incessant sweating.

(5) Another method: Longgu (Dragon Bone), Muli (Oyster Shell), and glutinous rice in equal parts, ground into powder and patted on. Shan Bu states: Danggui is used to nourish fluids, and the two Dihuang roots are used to enrich Yin, ensuring Yin fluids are nourished.

Huangqin clears fire from the Upper Jiao, Huanglian clears fire from the Middle Jiao, and Huangbai clears fire from the Lower Jiao, thus balancing the three fires. Furthermore, Huangqi is added amidst various cold-natured herbs; ordinary practitioners may misunderstand this as superfluous and even deem it unsuitable for those with exuberant Yang. Yet, its profound significance lies precisely here! When Yang contends with Yin, sweating leads to deficiency of Ying (Nutritive Qi), and Wei (Defensive Qi) also becomes deficient.

Therefore, doubling Huangqi serves two purposes: first, to restore the already deficient exterior; second, to consolidate the unstable Yin. The Classic states: “When Yin is tranquil and Yang is concealed, the spirit is in order.” Is this not what it refers to?! …Wu Kun stated: Night sweats in miscellaneous diseases differ from night sweats in Cold Damage disease.

Cold Damage night sweats indicate lingering pathogens in the semi-exterior and semi-interior, whereas miscellaneous disease night sweats are simply due to Yin deficiency with fire. The former prioritizes harmonizing the exterior, while the latter urgently focuses on saving Yin. Hence, Yin-tonifying ingredients are combined with fire-clearing herbs; the discerning should distinguish this.

 【Functions】

Nourishes Yin, clears heat, secures the exterior, and stops sweating.

 【Clinical Manifestations】

Yin deficiency with exuberant fire, night sweats with low-grade fever, flushed face and dry mouth, vexation and dry lips, dry stool, dark yellow urine, red tongue, rapid pulse. Yi Fang: Yin deficiency with fire, night sweats and fever. Shan Bu: Yin deficiency with fire, causing night sweats.

 【Applicable Conditions】

Night sweats, nocturnal emission, low-grade fever, insomnia, dysentery, flaccid paralysis (Wei Syndrome), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hyperthyroidism, menopausal syndrome, and other conditions.

 【Contraindications】

Use with caution in cases of Qi deficiency accompanied by cold.

 【Mnemonic】

“Two Dihuang, Four Huang, Danggui stay.” The Four Huangs are Huangqin, Huanglian, Huangqi, Huangbai (phonetically similar to “young man and old uncle” in Mandarin: Qingnian Laobo, where Qingnian resembles Qin and Lian, and Laobo resembles Qi and Bai).

 【Modifications】

(1) If sweating is excessive, add Longgu (Dragon Bone), Muli (Oyster Shell), and Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry) to astringe and stop sweating.

(2) If Yin deficiency is severe, add Maidong (Ophiopogon Root) and Xiyangshen (American Ginseng) to nourish Yin.

(3) If Yin deficiency with Yang hyperactivity, with severe tidal fever and flushed cheeks, add Baishao (White Peony Root) and Guiban (Tortoise Plastron) to nourish Yin and subdue Yang.

(4) If Shu Dihuang is removed from this formula, and Huangqi is reduced to the same dosage (as the removed ingredient), plus Mahuanggen (Ephedra Root) and Fuxiaomai (Light Wheat) are added in the same dosage, it becomes Sheng Dihuang Jian (Decoction of Raw Rehmannia) by Zhang Jingyue, which primarily treats night sweats due to Yin deficiency with exuberant fire.