[Source]

“Shang Han Biao Ben Xin Fa Lei Cui” by Liu He Jian, Vol. 10 of “Xuan Ming Lun” (1172). “Liu He Jian” in Vol. 14 of “Gu Jin Yi Jian” (1576).

 [Composition]

Talcitum, Glycyrrhiza
(2)

 [Category]

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Qi>: Glycyrrhiza

<Promoting Urination and Draining Dampness>: Talcitum

[Efficacy Analysis]

“Yi Fang”: A formula for Tai Yang and Tai Yin meridians. (1) Talcitum: Light in nature, it can relieve muscles; heavy in texture, it can clear and descend; cold in nature, it can drain heat; slippery, it can open orifices; bland, it can promote urination, allowing the lung qi to descend and communicate with the bladder, thus dispelling summer heat, stopping diarrhea, quenching thirst, and promoting urination. (2) Adding Glycyrrhiza: Harmonizes the middle qi and moderates the cold and slippery nature of Talcitum. (3) Adding cinnabar: Calms the spirit and drains evil heat from the fire element (small intestine is Bing fire, heart is Ding fire). (4) The ratio of six to one signifies the principle of “Heaven begets one, and Earth completes six.” “Shan Bu”: Talcitum, endowed with the neutral qi of the earth and the purifying decree of the west, possesses the heavy and firm form of autumn metal. Its cold nature can overcome heat, and its sweetness does not harm the spleen. It contains the essence of Tai Yi and has a flowing nature, differing from the stagnant nature of Gypsum Fibrosum. It can clear the upper source of water and unblock the lower water channels, purging evil heat from the six intestines through urination. Roasted Glycyrrhiza, endowed with the neutral qi of herbs, harmonizes the interior and exterior, quenches thirst, and generates fluids. Used as an assistant, it protects vital energy and drains deficient fire, thus harmonizing the five zang organs. However, the heart is the ruler of the five zang organs. When summer heat disturbs the middle and unsettles the spirit, cinnabar is needed to calm it, allowing the spirit to recover. Nourishing with cool water helps to rapidly eliminate evil heat, so that the Yang heat of the clear heart can be circulated. It is indicated for early-stage hot diarrhea with urgency and tenesmus, as its slipperiness can remove obstruction. It also treats conditions such as inducing labor, promoting lactation, and accumulations with water retention, all based on this principle. This formula tonifies qi without reinforcing evil, and expels evil without harming qi, living up to its name of “tonifying the root.” It is considered on par with Bai Hu Tang and Sheng Mai San.

 [Functions]

Clears heat, dispels summer heat, and resolves dampness.

 [Indications]

Fatigue due to summer heat, all heat syndromes, vexation and thirst, or diarrhea, short and red urine, difficult urination, painful urination, urinary stones, accumulated cold-heat in the intestines and stomach, restlessness, abdominal distention and fullness; poxes and rashes, excessive heat toxin. Externally, it treats damp eczema, moist sores, prickly heat (sweat rash) with itching. “Yi Fang”: (1) Treats common cold and heatstroke with simultaneous interior and exterior heat, vexation, thirst, and difficult urination. (2) Diarrhea with heat, malarial fever, cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, promotes lactation, prevents miscarriage, detoxifies alcohol and food, primarily treats urinary stones.

 [Syndromes]

Urinary tract infections, diarrhea, summer-dampness syndrome, etc.

 [Contraindications]

Not for pregnant women.

 [Mnemonic]

Talcitum and Glycyrrhiza, in a six-to-one ratio. Be mindful of talc and licorice.

 [Modifications]

(1) If heat is severe, add Lophatherum gracile and watermelon rind to dispel summer heat. (2) If there is consumption of fluids, thirst, red tongue, add radix ophiopogonis, radix adenophorae, Dendrobium candidum to tonify qi and generate fluids. (3) If heart fire is excessive, with a red tongue and vexation, add Lophatherum gracile, pith of rush, and Coptis chinensis to clear heart heat. (4) If urination is涩痛 (difficult and painful) or with gravelly stones, add Imperata cylindrica rhizome, small thistle, Plantago asiatica, moneywort, Curcuma aromatica, and gizzard-adhesivenessto promote urination, cool blood, stop bleeding, and eliminate stones. (5) Adding cinnabar to this formula creates Yi Yuan San (“Shang Han Zhi Ge”). Taken with rush pith decoction, it clears the heart, dispels summer heat, calms the spirit, and treats summer heat syndromes with palpitations, insomnia, and excessive dreaming. (6) Adding Indigo naturalis to this formula creates Bi Yu San (“Shang Han Zhi Ge”). It clears and dispels summer heat and treats summer-dampness syndromes with liver and gallbladder damp-heat. (7) Adding Mentha haplocalyx to this formula creates Ji Su San (“Shang Han Zhi Ge”). It disperses wind, dispels summer heat, and treats summer-dampness syndromes with aversion to wind and cold, headache, head distention, and unproductive cough.

 [Pharmacology]

It has diuretic, antibacterial, and mucous membrane protective effects.