【Source】

“Essential Formulas of the Thousand Gold for Emergencies”

 【Composition】

Rhubarb, Ginseng, Licorice, processed dried ginger, (cooked) Aconite
(5)

 【Category】

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Qi>: Licorice

<Purgative>: Rhubarb

<Tonify Qi>: Ginseng

<Dispelling Exterior with Pungent Warmth>: Ginger

<Warm Interior>: Aconite

【Formula Meaning】

“Shan Bu” states: Yu Chang said: Xu Shuwei formulated this prescription, which deeply aligns with Zhang Zhongjing’s method of using warm herbs to purge. The Rhubarb is only used in four qian, which shows great insight. If there is cold stagnation in the intestines and stomach causing diarrhea, how can one dare to use the strong and heavy Rhubarb to oppress it with warm medicine? Reducing it by one-fifth shows how deeply Xu Shuwei understood Zhang Zhongjing’s principles. Zhang Zhongjing said: For patients with a history of loose stools, Zhi Zi Tang should not be given. He also said: For Tai Yin disease, with a weak pulse and loose stools, if Rhubarb or Shaoyao is to be used, it should be reduced, because the patient’s stomach qi is weak and easily disturbed. From this, one can see, can Rhubarb be freely used for diarrhea caused by cold stagnation in the intestines and stomach? If not used, warm herbs may not be able to control it, and the purging effect might even increase. The careful selection and use of it are truly worthy of emulation.

 【Function】

Warm and tonify spleen yang, purge cold accumulation.

 【Efficacy】

Constipation due to deficiency cold and insufficient spleen yang, abdominal fullness and pain, preference for warmth and pressure, abdominal pain, cold hands and feet, or chronic dysentery with red and white stools that persist for years. “Shan Bu”: Treats cold stagnation in the intestines and stomach, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It should be purged first, then treated, and should not be considered as nourishing a condition of deficiency.

 【Indications】

Kidney insufficiency and kidney disease, digestive tract ulcers, oral ulcers, uremia, pyloric obstruction, constipation due to spleen and stomach deficiency cold, etc.

 【Mnemonic】

(1) The name Wen Pi (Warm Spleen) → Ginger, Aconite, Ginseng, Licorice, Purgative: Rhubarb. (2) Using Ginseng and Licorice greatly enhances the effects of warming the spleen and adding to it (Ginseng, Licorice, Big Ginger, Aconite).

 【Modifications】

(1) For abdominal distention and pain, add Costus Root and Magnolia Bark to regulate qi and relieve pain. (2) For abdominal cold pain, add Evodia Fruit and Cinnamon Bark to enhance the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold. (3) For accompanying vomiting, add Pinellia Tuber and Cardamom/’>Cardamom