【Source】

Collected in “Essentials from the Golden Chamber” Vol. 2.

 【Composition】

Citrus peel, Bamboo shavings, Jujube, Fresh ginger, Licorice root, Ginseng
(6)

 【Category】

<Regulating Qi>: Citrus peel

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Jujube, Licorice root

<Tonifying Qi>: Ginseng

<Dispelling Exterior with Pungent Warmth>: Fresh ginger

<Transforming Phlegm>: Three assistants (Jujube, Licorice, Ginger), Bamboo shavings

【Rationale】

From “Essential Formulas”: (1) Stomach fire rising upwards, assisted by fire from the liver and gallbladder, preventing the qi of the lung metal from descending, thus causing vomiting. (2) Bamboo shavings, Loquat leaf, and Ophiopogon japonicus can all clear the lung and harmonize the stomach. When the lung metal is clear, the liver qi also becomes tranquil. (3) Er Chen Tang ( Tangerine peel, Pinellia tuber): Used to descend rebellious qi. (4) Red Poria cocos: Used to descend heart fire. (5) Fresh ginger: A sacred herb for those who vomit. (6) For chronic illness and emaciation, Ginseng, Licorice root, and Jujube are used to support the stomach qi.

 【Functions】

Regulates qi and clears heat, harmonizes the middle and descends rebellious qi.

 【Indications】

Emaciation after Shang Han (common cold), with persistent hiccups; or after vomiting and diarrhea, with stomach deficiency and diaphragmatic heat causing hiccups; or postpartum hiccups; or hiccups due to seasonal colds. “Essential Formulas”: (1) Persistent hiccups in chronic illness and emaciation. (2) Hiccups due to stomach deficiency after vomiting and diarrhea.

 【Syndromes】

Hiccups.

 【Mnemonic】

Formula name + Ginseng + Three assistants.

 【Modifications】

“Essential Formulas”: (1) For stomach cold: Remove bamboo shavings and loquat leaf, add clove. (2) For excess fire: Remove ginseng. (1) For hiccups with qi and yin deficiency due to stomach heat, add loquat leaf, Poria cocos, Pinellia tuber, and loquat leaf to nourish yin and harmonize the stomach. The formula then becomes 竹茹湯/’>Citrus Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction “Prescriptions of Ji Sheng”, treating stomach heat with copious vomiting and loss of appetite. (2) For yin deficiency of the stomach accompanied by stomach heat, add loquat leaf and Dendrobium candidum to nourish stomach yin. (3) For hiccups due to stomach heat with sufficient qi, remove ginseng, licorice root, and jujube, and add persimmon calyx to descend rebellious qi and stop vomiting. This becomes 竹茹湯/’>Citrus Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction “Warm Disease Analysis”, treating hiccups due to stomach heat and rebellious stomach qi.