[Source]

“Jufang” (1110), “Li Dongyuan’s Formulas” (1249), “Yifang Jijie” (1682) cites “Jufang”.

 [Composition]

Gentiana scabra, Bupleurum chinense, Alisma orientalis, Plantago asiatica, Akebia trifoliata, raw Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica sinensis, mountain Gardenia jasminoides, Scutellaria baicalensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis
(10)

 [Classification]

<Blood Tonic>: Angelica sinensis

<Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood>: Raw Rehmannia glutinosa

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Glycyrrhiza uralensis

<Dispersing Exterior with Acridity and Coolness>: Bupleurum chinense

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Gentiana scabra, Scutellaria baicalensis

<Clearing Heat and Draining Fire>: Mountain Gardenia jasminoides

<Promoting Urination and Leaching Dampness>: Plantago asiatica, Akebia trifoliata, Alisma orientalis

[Formula Meaning]

“Yifang”: This is a formula for the Liver and Gallbladder meridians (Foot Jueyin and Shaoyang). (1) Gentiana scabra: Drains the heat from the Jueyin meridian. (2) Bupleurum chinense: Pacifies the heat in the Shaoyang meridian. Scutellaria baicalensis and Gardenia jasminoides: Clear the heat from the Lung and Sanjiao meridians to assist. (3) Alisma orientalis: Drains the dampness from the Kidney meridian. Akebia trifoliata and Plantago: Drain the dampness from the Small Intestine and Bladder meridians to assist. (4) Uses Angelica and Rehmannia: To nourish blood and tonify the Liver. (5) Uses Glycyrrhiza uralensis: To moderate the middle jiao and prevent damage to the intestines and stomach as a minister and servant. “Shanbu”: Rib pain, bitter taste in the mouth, deafness, and swelling of the ears are diseases of the Gallbladder meridian. Flaccidity of the tendons, yin dampness, itchy yin swelling, white turbidity, and blood in the urine are diseases of the Liver meridian. Therefore, Gentiana scabra is used to drain the fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Bupleurum chinense acts as the Liver’s envoy, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis moderates Liver tension. It is assisted by Scutellaria, Gardenia, Akebia, Alisma, and Plantago, which promote urination and discharge damp-heat from the lower orifices. However, all these are draining herbs. If the disease is completely removed, the Liver may be injured. Therefore, Angelica sinensis and raw Rehmannia are added to nourish the blood and supplement the Liver. The Liver stores blood, so nourishing blood also nourishes the Liver. The ingenuity lies in the fact that the herbs that drain the Liver are also used to tonify it, embodying the principle of conquering by gentle persuasion. “Chengfang Bian Du”: The “Ministerial Fire” resides in the Liver and Gallbladder, and its nature is easily agitated. When agitated, it becomes rampant and uncontrollable, carrying the inherent dampness and turbidity in the body, disturbing the lower jiao and causing various symptoms. If a person has insufficient Liver Yin and a strong Ministerial Fire, and it coincides with the season when the six excesses of dampness and fire are dominant, internal and external factors combine, and the Qi gathers, then the meridians that the Liver and Gallbladder traverse, and the sinews they govern, all become affected. Therefore, Gentiana scabra, with its great bitterness and coldness, strongly drains the damp-heat of the Liver and Gallbladder. The Liver and Gallbladder belong to Wood. Wood thrives on smooth flow; if evil fire suppresses it, Wood cannot be unblocked. Therefore, Bupleurum chinense is used to smooth the Qi of the Liver and Gallbladder. Furthermore, Scutellaria baicalensis clears the upper part, and mountain Gardenia directs downward. These are assisted by Akebia trifoliata, Plantago, and Alisma orientalis to guide the evil heat out through the Small Intestine and Bladder. Ancient physicians, when treating disease, always considered the healthy aspect while draining the evil. Otherwise, the evil is removed but the healthy aspect is injured, and the risk of over-medication arises. Therefore, Angelica and Rehmannia are used to nourish the Liver blood, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis moderates the middle Qi and harmonizes the various herbs, so that the bitter-cold nature does not harm the Stomach Qi. “Handian”: Plantago asiatica, Akebia trifoliata, and Alisma orientalis have a diuretic effect and can eliminate inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder. Angelica sinensis and Rehmannia glutinosa can invigorate blood circulation and relieve itching and pain. Gentiana scabra, mountain Gardenia jasminoides, and Scutellaria baicalensis have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects.

 [Functions]

Drain the excess fire of the Liver and Gallbladder, clear the damp-heat of the lower jiao.

 [Efficacy]

Rib pain due to Liver and Gallbladder fire excess, Liver meridian damp-heat dysfunction, Liver and Gallbladder damp-heat descending, rib pain, bitter taste in the mouth, deafness, ear swelling, tendon flaccidity, yin dampness, itchy yin swelling, white turbidity, blood in the urine, or abdominal pain,涩滞 urine, and other symptoms. Inflammation of the bladder and urethra belonging to the excess pattern. “Handian”: This formula is used for inflammation of the bladder and urethra, belonging to the excess pattern. It can be used for acute or subacute gonorrheal urethritis, prostatitis, or cystitis, with symptoms such as painful and difficult urination, vaginal discharge, purulent urine, swelling and pain in the genitals, and swollen inguinal lymph nodes. Generally used for individuals with strong physique and firm pulse and abdomen. “Yifang”: Excess fire and damp-heat in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, rib pain, deafness, Gallbladder overflow with bitter taste in the mouth, tendon flaccidity, yin sweat, yin swelling, yin pain, white turbidity, blood in the urine. “Shanbu”: Rib pain, bitter taste in the mouth, deafness, ear swelling, tendon flaccidity, yin dampness, itchy yin swelling, white turbidity, blood in the urine.

 [Indications]

Hepatitis, acute or subacute gonorrhea, urethritis, cystitis, leucorrhea, itching and pain of the external genitalia, prostatitis, endometritis, chancre, buboes, orchitis, eczema of the external genitalia, swelling and pain of the external genitalia, swollen inguinal lymph nodes, and other diseases.

 [Contraindications]

Avoid spicy foods. Pregnant women should use with caution.

 [Mnemonics]

(1) Make it a bit bland (Gentiana scabra drains) — The vegetables are stir-fried a bit bland, the car fare and accommodation are for brother Gui (Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Glycyrrhiza, Gentiana, Alisma; Plantago, Gardenia, Akebia, Angelica, Rehmannia)#(2) Snow car passes through Long, Hu Qin returns with grass and land (Alisma, Plantago, Akebia, Gardenia, Gentiana; Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Angelica, Glycyrrhiza, Rehmannia).

 [Modifications]

(1) If Liver and Gallbladder excess fire is severe, remove Akebia trifoliata and Plantago asiatica and add Coptis chinensis to enhance the fire-draining effect. (2) If damp-heat is predominant, increase Akebia trifoliata, Alisma orientalis, and Plantago asiatica to clear heat and promote urination. (3) If headache and red eyes are severe, add Cassia seed, Chrysanthemum morifolium, and Eriocaulon sexangulare to clear the Liver and brighten the eyes. (4) If there are sores and swelling in the genital area, add honeysuckle, Forsythia suspensa, and Taraxacum mongolicum to clear heat and detoxify. (5) If dampness is abundant and heat is light, remove raw Rehmannia and Scutellaria baicalensis, and add talc and coix seed to enhance the damp-draining effect. (6) If there is jaundice, add Artemisia capillaris, Phellodendron amurense, and raw Rheum officinale to clear heat, remove dampness, and promote gallbladder function. (7) If appetite is poor, add Malt and Citrus reticulata to aid digestion and remove stagnation. (8) If there is pain in the right hypochondriac region, add Chuk-san, Corydalis yanhusuo to soothe the Liver and relieve pain.

 [Pharmacology]

It mainly has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immune-enhancing, and antibacterial effects. It can increase the weight of the thymus in young mice, produce different types of T cells, thereby releasing macrophage activating factors, and significantly enhance the phagocytic function of macrophages. The activated macrophages can then release lymphokines, stimulate lymphocyte transformation, and regulate antibody production, which is beneficial for disease recovery.