[Source]

Synopsis of Golden Chamber

 [Composition]

Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. fruit, Alliums chinese, Baijiu
(3)

 [Category]

<Regulating Qi>: Alliums chinese

<Resolving Phlegm>: Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. fruit

<Other>: Baijiu

[Formula Explanation]

From “Study of Formulas in Tang Dynasty”: Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. fruit regulates Qi and relieves chest oppression, disperses phlegm and resolves masses, serving as the principal herb in the formula. Alliums chinese is warming, unblocking, promotes smooth flow, disperses masses, and relieves pain by regulating Qi, serving as the secondary herb. Baijiu is pungent and warming, it regulates Qi and activates blood circulation, enhancing the effect of Alliums chinese in regulating Qi and unblocking Yang, serving as the assistant herb. The combination of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. and Alliums chinese is used to expel phlegm and masses, and unblock Yang Qi, which are complementary as key herbs for treating Bi syndrome.

 [Functions]

Unblocks Yang and resolves masses, regulates Qi and expels phlegm.

 [Efficacy]

Chest Bi syndrome, characterized by dull chest pain, possibly radiating to the back, shortness of breath with cough and expectoration, dyspnea, white and greasy tongue coating, and deep, wiry or tight pulse.

 [Indications]

Coronary heart disease with angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, chest pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, intercostal neuralgia, costochondritis, breast hyperplasia, and various other diseases belonging to TCM chest Bi syndrome.

 [Contraindications]

The herbs in this formula are relatively warming and drying. Therefore, it is not suitable for chest pain due to Yin deficiency with pulmonary tuberculosis or chest pain due to lung heat with phlegm and wheezing.

 [Mnemonic]

Formula name.

 [Additions and Subtractions]

(1) If cold evil is more severe, add dried ginger, Aconitum carmichaelii, and Cinnamomum cassia to unblock Yang and disperse cold. (2) If there is blood stasis, add Salvia miltiorrhiza and Spiraea japonica to activate blood and resolve stasis. (3) If Qi stagnation is severe, add Magnolia officinalis and Citrus aurantium to regulate Qi and relieve stagnation.

 [Pharmacology]

It has effects such as vasodilation, anti-hypoxia, cardiac inhibition, protection of ischemic myocardium, inhibition of platelet aggregation, reduction of blood viscosity, improvement of lipid metabolism, and regulation of the metabolic balance of prostaglandins and cyclic nucleotides.