[Source]

Shang Han Lun

 [Composition]

(Baked)Fuzi, Fuling, Renshen, Baizhu, (White) Shaoyao
(5)

 [Category]

<Blood tonifying>: Shaoyao

<Spleen and Middle Jiao tonifying>:Baizhu

<Qi tonifying>:Renshen

<Warming the Interior>:Fuzi

<Spleen tonifying and Dampness-resolving>:Fuling

[Formula Meaning]

Shan Bu: Shaoyin is the organ of cold water, so severe cases of Shang Han often enter the Shaoyin, hence the Shaoyin meridian has the most fatal cases. The monarch herb in the formula, Fuzi (2 pieces), is chosen for its sharp efficacy and to bear a heavy burden. Using it raw serves two purposes: to strengthen the yang of the “lesser fire” and to dispel internal and external cold. This will stop chills, relieve body pain, and warm the limbs. It consolidates the origin of vital energy, giving the five Zang and six Fu organs a foundation and the twelve meridians a root, so that the pulse is no longer deep and the bones and joints can be harmonized. It is further assisted by Baizhu to reinforce the Earth, Shaoyao to pacify the Wood, and Fuling to drain water. When water is drained, fire naturally flourishes. When it flourishes, yin darkness dissipates. When Wood is pacified, Earth becomes more stable. When it is stable, water is controlled. When it is controlled, generation and transformation occur. This is a foolproof method. Those who fear it and dare not use it, leaving them to face death with folded hands, how can their numbers be counted!

 [Functions]

Warms the meridians and assists yang, dispels cold and transforms dampness, warms yang and promotes diuresis.

 [Indications]

Yang deficiency with internal invasion of cold-dampness, causing body and joint pain, chills, and cold limbs. Those with chills and cold extremities are similar to Zhenwu Tang, but it is not used for diarrhea, and focuses on body pain and joint pain. The pulse is deep. Shan Bu: Treats Shaoyin disease with body pain, cold limbs, bone and joint pain, mild taste in the mouth, chills in the back, and a deep pulse.

 [Symptoms]

Chronic rheumatoid arthritis, general pain, joint pain, back pain, abdominal pain, edema, neuralgia, rheumatic pain, etc. At this point, it needs to be differentiated from Guizhi Jia Fuzi Tang and Mahuang Jia Zhu Tang.

 [Mnemonics]

Will change people, truly mighty.

 [Pharmacology]

It has effects such as vasodilation, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, antibacterial, diuretic, antispasmodic, and cardiotonic.