【Source】
《Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang》 (Formulary of the Bureau of National Medical Service)
【Composition】
Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), Qianghuo (Notopterygium incisum), Gancao (Licorice root), Bohe (Peppermint), Xixin (Asarum), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia)
(8)
【Category】
<Tonifying the Spleen and Boosting the Middle Jiao>：Gancao (Licorice root)
<Releasing the Exterior with Acrid-Cool Herbs>：Bohe (Peppermint)
<Releasing the Exterior with Acrid-Warm Herbs>：Qianghuo (Notopterygium incisum), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica)
<Warming the Interior>：Xixin (Asarum)
<Activating Blood and Resolving Stasis>：Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong)
【Formula Analysis】
《Medical Formula》: This formula addresses the three Yang meridians of the foot. (1) Qianghuo: Treats Taiyang headache. (2) Baizhi: Treats Yangming headache. (3) Chuanxiong: Treats Shaoyang headache. (4) Xixin: Treats Shaoyin headache. (5) Fangfeng: Acts as a vanguard for wind-dispelling herbs. Because wind-heat tends to ascend, these herbs can release the exterior and dispel cold. They are suitable for upward and outward dispersion. Headaches invariably require wind-dispelling herbs because the vertex of the head is only accessible by wind. (6) Bohe and Jingjie: Both can dispel wind-heat and clear the head and eyes, thus serving as the chief ingredients. They work synergistically with other herbs to ascend, raising the clear Yang and dispersing stagnant fire. (7) The addition of Gancao is for moderating and harmonizing. (8) The use of tea to prepare the formula is because tea can clear the head and eyes.
【Functions】
Dispels wind, alleviates pain.
【Indications】
Headache due to external contraction of wind-evil, ascendant wind attacking the head, heavy head and eyes, lateral or frontal headache, or vertex headache, possibly with aversion to cold, fever, dizziness, nasal congestion, thin white tongue coating, and floating pulse. 《Medical Formula》: Ascendant wind attacking the head, lateral and frontal headache, aversion to wind with sweating, aversion to cold with high fever, nasal congestion with profuse phlegm, dizziness, and blurred vision.
【Applications】
Common cold, headache, migraine, neck pain, nasal congestion, dizziness, facial nerve paralysis, peripheral nerve paralysis.
【Mnemonic】
Pretend to be poor, brew tea, insert a fishing rod — borrow the northwest wind to drink, work hard with poverty (Jie He Xi Bai Feng Xiong Gan Huo) #. (Note: This is a phonetic mnemonic using the initials of some of the herbs in the formula.)
【Modifications】
《Medical Formula》: Chrysanthemum Tea-Prepared Powder: Add Juhua (Chrysanthemum) and Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) to treat wind-heat in the head and eyes. (1) If wind-cold predominates, increase the dosage of Chuanxiong and add Zisuye (Perilla leaf) and Shengjiang (Fresh ginger) to strengthen wind-dispelling and cold-dispersing actions. (2) If it is wind-heat headache, remove Qianghuo and Xixin, and add Juhua (Chrysanthemum) and Manjingzi (Vitex fruit) to dispel wind-heat; also can add Juhua, Jiangcan, and Chantui (Cicada slough) to dispel wind-heat, clear the head and improve vision. (3) If the headache persists for a long time, add Taoren (Peach kernel), Honghua (Safflower), Jiangcan, and Quanxie (Scorpion) to enhance wind-searching, pain-relieving, blood-activating, and stasis-resolving effects.
【Pharmacology】
Possesses analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects.