【Source】

“Synopsis of the Golden Chamber”

 【Composition】

Turtle plastron, Ruminants (ground beetle), Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Bupleurum chinense DC., Geotrupes stercorarius, Dried ginger, Rhubarb, Cinnamon twig, Pyrrosia leaf, Magnolia officinalis Rehder, Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) K. Schum, Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breitenb. ex Regel, Donkey-hide gelatin, Peony root, Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga, Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, Ginseng, Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC., Smilax glabra Roxb., Beehive (hive), Mirabilite, Peach kernel
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 【Formula Meaning】

According to “A Study of Chinese Formulas by Tang Dynasty”: Turtle plastron softens hardness and disperses masses, enters the liver collaterals to search for pathogens, and its salty cold nature nourishes yin. Ash from the stove dissolves masses and removes accumulations. Clear wine invigorates blood and unblocks meridians. These three are combined into a decoction, forming an integrated whole, to achieve the actions of invigorating blood, removing stasis, softening hardness, and resolving masses. These are the main herbs in the formula. Mirabilite breaks hardness and disperses masses, Rhubarb attacks accumulations and removes stasis. Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga, Geotrupes stercorarius, Ruminants, Beehive, Peach kernel, Campsis grandiflora, and Cortex Moutan radicis invigorate blood and remove stasis to enhance the action of softening hardness and resolving masses. Magnolia officinalis facilitates the circulation of qi. Smilax glabra Roxb. and Pyrrosia leaf promote urination and remove dampness. Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breitenb. ex Regel, Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC., and Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl eliminate phlegm and disperse masses. Bupleurum chinense DC. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi clear heat and soothe the liver. Dried ginger and Cinnamon twig warm the middle and unblock yang, to regulate stagnant qi, eliminate condensed phlegm and dampness, and harmonize the mutual blockage of cold and heat. These are the secondary herbs in the formula. Panax ginseng, Colla Corii Asini, and Radix Paeoniae Alba nourish qi and blood, serving as the adjuvant herbs in the formula, ensuring that the formula attacks pathogens without damaging the vital qi.

 【Function】

Invigorates blood, resolves痞 (fullness/distension), and transforms accumulations.

 【Efficacy】

Chronic malaria that does not heal, hard masses and fullness in the hypochondriac region, leading to “malaria mother,” and various symptoms of masses and accumulations.

 【Indications】

Splenomegaly caused by malaria, hepatosplenomegaly caused by other reasons, primary liver cancer, abdominal tumors, and other conditions.

 【Mnemonic】

：Ginseng, Peony, Donkey-hide gelatin, Turtle plastron (參芍膠鱉). ：Cinnamon twig, Bupleurum (桂柴). ：Scutellaria, Cortex Moutan (芩丹). Combine and handle, Qin plays the violin for the noble person (參芍膠鱉, 柴桂丹芩). ：Rhubarb, Peach kernel, Campsis, Geotrupes, Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga (大桃葳蜋蟅). The elder lady picks a child and shows off her power (大娘挑庶子發威). Other secondary herbs are numerous and omitted.