【Source】
《Synopsis of the Golden Chamber》
【Ingredients】
Da Huang (Rhubarb), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Mang Xiao (Sodium Sulfate), Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed)
(5)
【Category】
<Heat-Clearing and Blood-Cooling>：Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark)
<Purgatives>：Da Huang (Rhubarb), Mang Xiao (Sodium Sulfate)
<Blood-Activating and Stasis-Resolving>：Tao Ren (Peach Kernel)
<Promoting Diuresis and Draining Dampness>：Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed)
【Formula Explanation】
《Cheng Fang Bian Du》: Intestinal abscesses are caused by the accumulation and stagnation of damp-heat and blood stasis. Therefore, Da Huang (Rhubarb), with its bitter and cold properties, moves the blood, while Mang Xiao (Sodium Sulfate), with its salty and cold properties, softens hardness and dissipates accumulations, clearing away all damp-heat and blood stasis toxins, pushing them downwards. Tao Ren (Peach Kernel) enters the Liver to break blood, Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed) moistens the Lungs and resolves phlegm, and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark) clears and disperses stagnant heat in the blood level, removing any remaining Qi.
【Functions】
Drains heat, breaks blood stasis, dissipates nodules, reduces swelling, clears heat, and resolves toxins.
【Indications】
Early stage intestinal abscesses with damp-heat and blood stasis, swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen, pain upon palpation, even local masses, fever, aversion to cold, spontaneous sweating, normal urination, or right leg flexion with inability to extend, severe pain upon traction, or intermittent fever, body sweating, and aversion to cold, with a thin, greasy, and yellow tongue coating.
【Applications】
Acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, acute pelvic inflammatory disease in women, inflammation of the uterus and its appendages, and amenorrhea due to blood stasis caused by damp-heat stagnation. Hemorrhoids, anal fistulas, colitis, proctitis, ulcerative colitis.
【Contraindications】
This formula is not suitable for severe acute suppurative or gangrenous appendicitis, appendicitis complicated by peritonitis (or with toxic shock, or excessive abdominal pus), acute appendicitis in infants, appendicitis during pregnancy complicated by diffuse peritonitis, appendiceal parasitic diseases, etc.
【Mnemonic】
Da Huang (Rhubarb) Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark) + short winter melon laughs as people flee (Dong Gua, Mang Xiao, Tao Ren (Peach Kernel)).
【Modifications】
(1) If accompanied by severe abdominal pain and high fever, add Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) to clear heat. (2) If pus has formed but not drained, or pus has not yet formed, add Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower), Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion), and Bai Jiang Cao (Patrinia) to enhance the heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. (3) If there is a mass in the right lower abdomen, add Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Chi Shao (Red Peony Root), or Ru Xiang (Frankincense) and Mo Yao (Myrrh) to resolve blood stasis and dissipate nodules. (4) If there is Qi stagnation and abdominal distension, add Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), Tian Tai Wu Yao (Lindera Root), and Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root) to regulate Qi.