[Source]

From “Medical Inventions”, Vol. 5.

 [Composition]

Tiantai Wuyou, Muxiang, Fennel, Qingpi, Gaoliangjiang, Binglang, Chinaberry seed, Badou
(8)

 [Classification]

<Regulating Qi>: Muxiang, Chinaberry seed, Tiantai Wuyou, Qingpi

<Warming the Interior>: Fennel, Gaoliangjiang

<Expelling Parasites>: Binglang

<Strongly Purging and Draining Water>: Badou

[Rationale of the Formula]

From “Medical Prescriptions”: This formula targets the Liver and Spleen channels. (1) Wuyou: Dispels cold qi in the bladder, can reduce swelling and relieve pain. (2) Chinaberry seed: Drains evil heat from the small intestine, which descends through urination. (3) Muxiang, Qingpi: Moves qi and calms the liver. (4) Gaoliangjiang, Fennel: Disperse cold and warm the kidneys. (5) Binglang: Its nature is like iron and stone, it can drain water and break up hardness. (6) Badou: Breaches gates and forces doors, breaks up blood masses and cold accumulations. (7) All these herbs move qi, dispel dampness, and scatter cold. From “Compendium of Formulas”: In this formula, Wuyou and Muxiang are warm and pungent, with strong scent, they are good at moving and dispersing, acting both upwards and downwards to unblock stagnation in qi; Fennel warms the lower jiao and dispels cold, Gaoliangjiang warms the middle jiao and stops pain; Qingpi enters the liver and breaks up qi; Binglang guides accumulations downwards. The ingenious use lies in stir-frying Badou and Chinaberry seed together, then discarding Badou, but utilizing its potent and direct nature to cleanse and break hardness, which, together with Chinaberry, enters the liver and guides downwards, yet without intending a direct purge. This is akin to military strategy: Badou and Lian, are the elite generals; Qingpi and Binglang are the vanguard; Wuyou, Fennel are the auxiliary troops; Fennel and Gaoliangjiang are the camp guards. The ingenuity of the formula makes it invincible in any battle.

 [Functions]

Moves qi and soothes the liver, disperses cold and relieves pain.

 [Indications]

Cold coagulation and qi stagnation in the liver channel, umbilical abdominal pain due to small intestine hernia, swelling and drooping of the testes, abdominal masses in women, dysmenorrhea, etc. Kidney and liver affected, seven types of hernias in men with unbearable pain, abdominal masses and leukorrhea in women. From “Medical Prescriptions”: Treats small intestine hernia with umbilical abdominal pain.

 [Syndromes]

Hernia, abdominal pain, stomach pain, pain from parasites, dysmenorrhea.

 [Contraindications]

Contraindicated in cases of damp-heat with symptoms such as dry throat, bitter taste, red eyes, vexation, painful urination, and yin deficiency with fire blazing. Not effective for deficiency type qi hernia with scrotal swelling and pain, and intermittent attacks.

 [Mnemonic]

In Tiantai Mountain — practicing martial arts, want to invite the general back (Lian, Wu, Xiang, Ba, Langjiang, Qing, Hui)#