[SOURCE]

“Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang” (Formularies of the Bureau of Taiping Prescriptions for the People’s Welfare)

 [COMPOSITION]

Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin), Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong), Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi), Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi), Prepared Licorice Root (Zhi Gan Cao), Stone Lotus Seed (Shi Lian Rou), Poria (Fu Ling), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), Ginseng Root (Ren Shen)
(9 ingredients)

 [CATEGORIZATION OF INGREDIENTS]

<Tonify Yin & Nourish Yin>: Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong)

<Tonify Spleen & Replenish Middle Jiao>: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)

<Clear Heat & Dry Dampness>: Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin)

<Tonify Qi>: Ginseng Root (Ren Shen), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi)

<Tonify Spleen & Promote Diuresis>: Poria (Fu Ling)

<Astringent>: Stone Lotus Seed (Shi Lian Rou)

<Promote Diuresis & Resolve Dampness>: Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi)

<Clear Deficient Heat>: Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi)

[FORMULA PRINCIPLES]

“Yi Fang” (Medical Formulas): This is a medicine for the Hand Shaoyin, Foot Shaoyin, Foot Shaoyang, and Foot Taiyin channels. (1) Ginseng (Ren Shen), Astragalus (Huang Qi), and Licorice Root (Gan Cao) tonify Yang deficiency and drain fire, assist Qi transformation, and reach the major regions. (2) Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi) clears deficient heat from the Liver and Kidneys. (3) Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) disperses Liver and Gallbladder fire pathogens. (4) Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Ophiopogon Root (Mai Dong) clear heat from the Heart and Lung in the Upper Jiao. (5) Poria (Fu Ling) and Plantago Seed (Che Qian) promote diuresis and resolve dampness in the lower bladder. (6) With Stone Lotus Seed (Shi Lian) in the middle clearing Heart fire and harmonizing the Heart and Kidneys, all symptoms will recede. “Han Dian” (Chinese Medical Canon): Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong) and Lotus Seed (Lian Rou) can clear Heart heat and also tonify. Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi) and Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi) can cool Kidney heat and have a significant diuretic effect. Ginseng Root (Ren Shen), Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice Root (Gan Cao), etc., tonify the Spleen and Stomach, strengthen functions, and on the other hand, combined with Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin), Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi), Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong), etc., can generate Kidney Yin (water), increase diuresis, and cool Lung heat.

 [FUNCTIONS]

Clear Heart fire, benefit Qi, and nourish Yin.

 [INDICATIONS]

(1) Manifestations of excessive Heart fire, Heart fire flaring upwards, Kidney Yin deficiency, concurrent Qi and Yin deficiency, dry mouth and tongue, damp-heat descending, seminal emission with turbid urine, painful dripping urination, turbid white urine, stinging pain during urination, recurrence upon exertion, or seminal emission, vexation and heat in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest), fatigue in the limbs, or heat disturbing Ying-blood, uterine bleeding with vaginal discharge, vexation, and fever. (2) The purpose of this formula is to cool the heat in the Heart and Kidneys, and to tonify the deficiency in the Spleen and Lungs.

 [APPLICATIONS]

(1) Chronic urinary system disorders with physical weakness, summer-heat syndrome, hematuria, chyluria, and chronic nephritis. (2) Chronic dysuria or pyelocystitis with turbid urine due to overexertion, and those with weak urination and a sensation of residual urine after urination. (3) Suitable for those with deficient heat arising from excessive thinking and worry (i.e., mental overexertion harming the Spleen and Lungs), or from excessive alcohol and sexual activity harming the Spleen and Kidneys.

 [MNEMONIC]

Lady Gan (甘 for Licorice Root – Gan Cao) sits in an antique car (車 for Plantago Seed – Che Qian Zi) selling qin (琴 for Scutellaria Root – Huang Qin), qi (耆 for Astragalus Root – Huang Qi), and lotus seeds (Lian Zi), how refreshing! (This mnemonic helps remember the ingredients: 甘 (Gan Cao), 茯 (Fu Ling), 人 (Ren Shen), 骨 (Di Gu Pi), 車 (Che Qian Zi), 麥 (Mai Men Dong), 芩 (Huang Qin), 耆 (Huang Qi), 蓮 (Lian Rou for Stone Lotus Seed)).

 [MODIFICATIONS]

(1) For fever, add Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) and Peppermint (Bo He) to the decoction. (2) For dry throat, sore throat, or dry yellow tongue coating, remove Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Astragalus (Huang Qi), add Imperata Root (Bai Mao Gen) and Lophatherum Leaf (Dan Zhu Ye). (3) For significant vexation and insomnia, remove Licorice Root (Gan Cao), add Gardenia Fruit (Zhi Zi) and Yiyuan San (益元散). (4) For significant frequent urination and painful urination, add White Peony Root (Bai Shao), Corydalis Tuber (Yan Hu Suo), and Lindera Root (Wu Yao). (5) For abundant, yellow, turbid vaginal discharge with gynecological inflammation, add Ailanthus Root Bark (Chun Gen Pi), Smilax Glabra Rhizome (Tu Fu Ling), Sargentodoxa Stem (Hong Teng), and Patrinia Herb (Bai Jiang Cao).