【Source】

《Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders (Shanghan Lun)》

 【Composition】

Angelica Root (Danggui), Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), Peony Root (Shaoyao), Asarum (Xixin), Jujube (Dazao), (Prepared) Licorice Root (Gancao), Tetrapanax Papyriferus (Tongcao), Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang)
(9 ingredients)

 【Categories】

<Nourishing Blood>: Peony Root (Shaoyao), Angelica Root (Danggui)

<Invigorating Spleen & Supplementing Middle Jiao>: Licorice Root (Gancao), Jujube (Dazao)

<Acrid-Warm Exterior-Releasing>: Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang)

<Warming the Interior>: Asarum (Xixin), Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu)

<Promoting Urination & Leaching Dampness>: Tetrapanax Papyriferus (Tongcao)

【Formula Principles】

According to Shan Bu: Doubling the amount of Jujube follows the method of Jian Zhong Tang, which uses maltose for its sweet and nourishing properties. (Regarding other contexts or base formulas: ) Reducing Fresh Ginger is done for fear that its acridity would be excessive and lead to rapid dispersion. The Liver’s will is bitter and urgent; its spirit desires dispersion.

When sweet and acrid substances are used together, the will is fulfilled and the spirit is joyful. There would then be no cases where the Jueyin (Liver) spirit is content, yet the pulse is faint and barely perceptible, or the hands and feet are not warm. This formula does not require the tonification of Ginseng and Poria, nor the strong pungency of Ginger and Aconite.

This indicates that Jueyin cold reversal is treated differently from Taiyang or Shaoyang disorders. However, if the person has long-standing interior cold, which cannot be adequately treated by merely acrid-warm substances, then Evodia Fruit and Fresh Ginger, both acrid and hot, are added. Furthermore, decocting with wine and assisting Asarum directly penetrates the Jueyin organs and rapidly disperses cold from both the interior and exterior. This is another method to rescue Jueyin from both internal and external damage by cold.

 【Functions】

Dispel cold and eliminate phlegm-fluid, descend rebellious qi and warm the middle jiao, nourish blood and unblock channels.

 【Indications】

Cold hands and feet (cold counterflow to the extremities), thready pulse almost imperceptible, and the person has interior cold.

 【Mnemonic】

Danggui Sini Tang + Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang). This is the formula name.