[Name]

Annotation of Famous Doctors and Formulas of Past Dynasties: Used to treat warm pathogens entering through the mouth and nose, initially with pathogens lurking in the membrane and primeval. This formula penetrates and guides them out, hence the name Da Yuan (penetrating the primeval).

 [Source]

Volume One of “Wen Yi Lun” (Treatise on Epidemic Febrile Diseases).

 [Composition]

Areca Seed, Magnolia Bark, Anemarrhena Rhizome, Scutellaria Root, Peony Root, Licorice Root, Grains of Paradise
(7)

 [Classification Group]

<Blood Nourishing>: Peony Root

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Energizer>: Licorice Root

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Scutellaria Root

<Aromatizing and Draining Dampness>: Grains of Paradise, Magnolia Bark

<Clearing Heat and Purging Fire>: Anemarrhena Rhizome

<Expelling Parasites>: Areca Seed

[Formula Meaning]

Areca Seed can disintegrate and grind, removing lurking pathogens, acting as a purgative medicine, and dispelling the miasma of Lingnan. Magnolia Bark breaks up obstructions caused by rebellious Qi. Grains of Paradise, with its pungent and strong properties, removes lurking pathogens. These three herbs work together to directly reach the site of the pathogens, causing them to collapse and quickly leave the membrane and primeval, thus it is called Da Yuan (penetrating the primeval).

 [Functions]

Repels epidemics and removes summer heat, clears heat, stops vomiting, and promotes urination.

 [Indications]

Symptoms and signs of epidemic febrile diseases or malaria with pathogens lurking in the membrane and primeval, such as chills and fever, body pain, headache, bitter taste, sticky mouth, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, thick white tongue coating, etc.

 [Applications]

Various febrile diseases, influenza, viral infections with fever, persistent high fever, infantile summer heat, chickenpox, infantile food stagnation.

 [Mnemonic]

Gan Shao Zhi Qin Hou Guo Bing → Gan Sao Zhi Dao Yao Qin Fen, Hou Dai Ge Bin Ke. (Licorice, Peony, Anemarrhena, Scutellaria, Magnolia, Grains of Paradise, Areca → Sister Gan knows she needs to be diligent and treat guests kindly.)

 [Modifications]

(1) For rib pain, deafness, chills and fever, vomiting with bitter taste, add Bupleurum Root 1 qian. (2) For low back, spine, and neck pain, add Notopterygium Root 1 qian. (3) For eye pain, pain in the brow bone, orbital pain, dry nose, and insomnia, add Kudzu Root 1 qian. (4) For heat injuring yin fluid, add Anemarrhena Rhizome to nourish yin. (5) For heat injuring Ying Qi, add White Peony Root to harmonize blood. (6) Scutellaria Root clears residual dry heat; Licorice Root harmonizes the middle. The latter four herbs are merely for adjusting and harmonizing.

 [Pharmacology]

The individual herbs in this formula have antipyretic and antimicrobial effects.