【Source】

Prescriptions for Emergencies Worth a Thousand Gold (備急千金要方)

 【Composition】

Peony root (Shaoyao), Cinnamon twig (Guizhi), prepared Licorice root (Zhi Gancao), Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang), Jujube fruit (Da Zao), Maltose (Yitang), Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui)
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 【Category】

<Blood Nourishing>: Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui), Peony root (Shaoyao)

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Jujube fruit (Da Zao), Maltose (Yitang), Licorice root (Gancao)

<Aromatically Releasing the Exterior and Warm>: Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang), three assistants Licorice, Ginger, and Jujube, Cinnamon twig (Guizhi)

【Functions】

Nourishes blood and regulates menstruation, relieves spasms and alleviates pain, warms the Middle Jiao and tonifies deficiency.

 【Indications】

Postpartum weakness and deficiency, intermittent abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or cramping and pain in the lower abdomen that radiates to the back and waist, inability to eat.

 【Syndromes】

Chronic hypotension. Abdominal pain due to blood deficiency. Disorders in women such as lower abdominal pain, uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, postpartum weakness with pain from the lower abdomen to the back. Also applicable for neuralgia, lower back pain, and chronic peritonitis in both men and women.

 【Mnemonics】

The name of the formula, Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) Minor Bupleurum Decoction (Xiao Jian Zhong Tang) (-maltose).

 【Modifications】

(1) For excessive blood loss, add Rehmannia root (Dihuang) and Asarum (Ejiao); for severe weakness, add maltose.

 【Pharmacology】

Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) nourishes blood and activates blood circulation, enhancing uterine muscle regulation, pain relief, circulation promotion, and nutritional effects. It improves blood deficiency and alleviates menstrual pain and lower abdominal pain.