[Source]

From “Jing Yue Quan Shu”, Volume 51.

 [Composition]

Angelica sinensis, Goji berry, Fennel seed, Cinnamon bark, Lindera root, Agarwood, Poria cocos, Fresh ginger
(8)

 [Classification]

<Nourish Blood>: Angelica sinensis

<Tonify Liver and Kidney>: Goji berry

<Regulate Qi>: Agarwood, Lindera root

<Release the Exterior with Acrid Warmth>: Fresh ginger

<Warm the Interior>: Cinnamon bark, Fennel seed

<Tonify Spleen and Promote Urination>: Poria cocos

[Analysis of the Formula]

From “Fang Ji Xue Tang”: Cinnamon bark is acrid, sweet, and greatly warming; it warms the kidney and liver, disperses cold, and stops pain; Fennel seed is acrid and warm; it warms the liver, disperses cold, regulates Qi, and stops pain. When combined with Cinnamon bark, they achieve the effect of warming the kidney and liver and dispersing cold, thus serving as the principal herbs in the formula. Angelica sinensis is acrid, sweet, and warm; it nourishes blood and tonifies the liver. Goji berry is sweet and neutral; it nourishes the liver and kidney. The combination of these two herbs achieves the effect of warming and tonifying the liver, kidney, blood, and essence. Lindera root and Agarwood are both acrid and warm herbs. Their combination achieves the effect of moving Qi, stopping pain, and warming the liver and kidney, serving as secondary herbs in the formula. For Yang deficiency with Yin excess, leading to failure of water metabolism, Poria cocos is used to promote urination and strengthen the spleen. Fresh ginger is acrid and warm; it harmonizes the stomach and disperses cold, serving as a guiding herb in the formula.

 [Functions]

Warms and tonifies the liver and kidney, moves Qi and dispels cold.

 [Indications]

Liver and kidney cold-dampness, lower abdominal pain, hernia, etc.

 [Syndromes]

Hernia, orchitis, dysmenorrhea, gastritis, intercostal neuralgia.

 [Mnemonics]

Guibin gou gua ling dang hui lai le (Gui, Gou, Dang, Ling, Hui) and Wu Shen xiang wei hen qiang (Wu, Shen, Jiang). (Angelica sinensis, Goji berry, Poria cocos, Fennel seed, Lindera root, Agarwood, Fresh ginger).

 [Modifications]

(1) If cold is severe, add Evodia root and dried ginger to warm the middle and dispel cold; if even more severe, add Aconite root. (2) If abdominal pain is severe, add Cyperus rotundus to move Qi and stop pain. (3) If testicular pain is severe, add Green tangerine peel and Citrus fruit seed to soothe the liver and regulate Qi.