[Naming]

“Zhang’s Medical Compendium”: The soup is named Huang Long (Yellow Dragon) and specifically targets the central dry earth.

 [Source]

Volume 3 of “Shang Han Liu Shu”.

 [Composition]

Rhubarb, Mirabilite, Immature Bitter Orange, Magnolia Bark, Licorice, Ginseng, Angelica Sinensis
(7)

 [Classification Group]

<Blood Tonifying>: Angelica Sinensis

<Qi Regulating>: Immature Bitter Orange

<Spleen and Middle Jiao Tonifying>: Licorice

<Purgative>: Mirabilite, Rhubarb

<Qi Tonifying>: Ginseng

<Aromatic Dampness Resolving>: Magnolia Bark

[Formula Meaning]

“Wen Yi Lun”: If extreme deficiency is not tonified, how can deficiency be restored? If extreme excess is not purged, how can pathogens be removed? Ginseng and Angelica are used to restore deficiency, and Cheng Qi decoction is used to expel excess. This is a method of combined tonifying and purging. “Zhang’s Medical Compendium”: The soup is named Huang Long (Yellow Dragon) and specifically targets the central dry earth. If the upper body is dry and depleted, even if three Cheng Qi decoctions are gathered into one formula, without Ginseng and Angelica to invigorate the stomach qi, how can it bring forth clouds and rain? Some may think that Ginseng is used due to deficiency, but they do not realize that when Ginseng is part of a combined formula, its sweeping power is even stronger, and its tonifying effect is diminished! “Shang Han Wen Yi Tiao Bian”: For deficiency with heat accumulation in the interior, purgation is ineffective due to dryness of the intestines and stomach. Therefore, Tao added Ginseng, Angelica, and Rehmannia to Da Cheng Qi Tang to assist qi and blood, and build a strong defense. “Formulas in TCM – Tang Dynasty”: Rhubarb, Mirabilite, Immature Bitter Orange, and Magnolia Bark constitute Da Cheng Qi Tang, which is also used to clear heat and promote bowel movements, flushing away accumulations of heat and stagnant masses in the intestines and stomach, and rapidly purging to preserve vital energy, together forming the main herbs in the formula. Ginseng, Licorice, and Angelica Sinensis tonify qi and nourish blood, assisting the body in expelling pathogens, and are the secondary herbs in the formula. Platycodon disperses the upper and opens the lower, thus ventilating the lungs and intestines. Fresh ginger, Jujube dates, and Licorice tonify the spleen and stomach, and assist Ginseng and Angelica Sinensis in supporting vital energy, serving as the adjuvant herbs in the formula. Licorice harmonizes all the herbs and serves as the envoy herb in the formula.

 [Functions]

Restore deficiency and expel excess, combined tonifying and purging. Tonify qi and nourish blood, purge and promote bowel movements.

 [Efficacy]

Shang Han (cold damage) with heat evil transmitting to the interior, dryness and heat in the stomach and intestines with insufficient qi and blood, resulting in hard stool and constipation, leading to symptoms of heat accumulation and diarrhea, abdominal pain with resistance to palpation, dry mouth and tongue, delirium, thirst, fever, fatigue, shortness of breath; or constipation, abdominal distension and hardness with pain, severe cases of picking at the clothes and bed, plucking at imaginary threads, coma, cold extremities, muscle twitching, tremors,焦黃 (scorched yellow) or 焦黑 (scorched black) tongue coating, and weak pulse.

 [Indications]

Intestinal obstruction, acute appendicitis, cholecystitis, gallstones, and other conditions.

 [Mnemonic]

Da Cheng Qi Tang (Rhubarb, Immature Bitter Orange, Magnolia Bark, Mirabilite) + late night return home, with shouting (Ginseng, Angelica, Licorice).

 [Modifications]

(1) For elderly individuals with qi and blood deficiency, it is advisable to remove Mirabilite to protect vital energy.