【Source】
《Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang》 (Formulas from the Imperial Pharmacy of the Peaceful Benevolence Era)
【Ingredients】
Prepared Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti), Prepared Cao Wu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii), Prepared Nan Xing (Rhizoma Arisaematis), Di Long (Pheretima), Ru Xiang (Olibanum), Mo Yao (Myrrha)
(6)
【Category】
<Warm the Interior>: Chuan Wu, Cao Wu
<Activate Blood and Resolve Stasis>: Ru Xiang, Mo Yao
<Transform Phlegm>: Nan Xing
<Calm Liver and Extinguish Wind>: Di Long
【Formula Analysis】
In 《Fang Ji Xue Wang》, prepared Chuan Wu and prepared Cao Wu are both highly pungent and hot, functioning to dispel wind-dampness, scatter cold and alleviate pain. The two herbs are similar in taste and efficacy, excelling at dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, warming and unblocking the channels, and scattering cold to alleviate pain. They serve as the chief herbs to dispel wind-cold-damp evils from the collaterals. Tian Nan Xing (Rhizoma Arisaematis) is acrid, warm, drying, and intense. It dispels wind, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm, eliminating wind-phlegm-damp turbidity from the channels and acting as the deputy herb. Ru Xiang and Mo Yao are used as adjuvant herbs to promote qi circulation, activate blood, transform stasis, and unblock the collaterals, ensuring smooth qi and blood flow, thus preventing the stagnation of wind, cold, dampness, and phlegm. Furthermore, both herbs have significant analgesic effects, enhancing the formula’s pain-relieving ability. Di Long has a propensity to penetrate and is an excellent herb for entering the collaterals. It unblocks the channels and invigorates the collaterals. The addition of aged wine helps enhance the medicinal potency and guides all the herbs directly to the affected area, serving as the guiding herb. The combination of these herbs allows the elimination of wind-cold-damp evils, phlegm, and blood stasis, unblocking the channels, harmonizing the Ying and Wei, and nourishing the limbs and skin, thus alleviating various symptoms.
【Function】
Dispels wind, eliminates dampness, transforms phlegm, unblocks the collaterals, activates blood, and alleviates pain.
【Indication】
Wind-damp-phlegm-blood stasis obstructing the collaterals, wind-damp painful obstruction, muscle and bone pain, numbness and insensitivity of the limbs, and impaired flexibility of the joints.
【Applicable Symptoms】
Sciatica.
【Mnemonic】
Di Long, Mo Yao, and Ru Xiang are drunk, crows (Wu Ya) rush to the southern grass (Cao) from Sichuan (Chuan). It’s just Xiao Huo Luo.
【Modifications】
(1) If wind evil predominates, add Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii), Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), and Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae) to dispel wind. (2) If damp evil predominates, add Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) and Fang Ji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae) to eliminate dampness. (3) If cold evil predominates, increase the dosage of Chuan Wu and Cao Wu. (4) If blood stasis is evident, add Tao Ren (Semen Persicae), Hong Hua (Flos Carthami), and Dang Gui tail (Extremitas Radicis Angelicae Sinensis) to activate blood and transform stasis. (5) If there is Liver and Kidney deficiency, add Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae), Chuan Duan (Radix Dipsaci), and Gou Ji (Rhizoma Cibotii) to tonify the Liver and Kidneys. (6) For stiff and numb muscles, add Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Hedyotis Diffusae) and Wu Shao She (Zaocys) to unblock the collaterals and relieve pain.