【Source】

“Sihuo Ting Ji Fang” (Collection of Prescriptions from Sihuo Pavilion), “Chinese Medical Encyclopedia (1921)”.

 【Ingredients】

Coptis Root (Huang Lian), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin), Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bai), Gardenia Fruit (Shan Zhi Zi), White Chrysanthemum Flower (Bai Ju Hua), Angelica Tail (Dang Gui Wei), Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Pueraria Root (Ge Gen), Peppermint (Bo He), Scrophularia Root (Xuan Shen), Trichosanthes Root (Gua Lou Gen), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuan Xiong), Turmeric (Jiang Huang), Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao), Rhubarb (Da Huang), (Honey (Feng Mi))
(16)

 【Categorization of Ingredients】

<Blood Tonifying>: Angelica Tail (Dang Gui Wei)

<Spleen and Middle Jiao Tonifying>: Honey (Feng Mi)

<Acrid-Cool Exterior Releasing>: Pueraria Root (Ge Gen), White Chrysanthemum Flower (Bai Ju Hua), Peppermint (Bo He)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Coptis Root (Huang Lian), Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bai), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin)

<Purging>: Rhubarb (Da Huang)

<Activating Blood and Dispelling Stasis>: Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuan Xiong), Turmeric (Jiang Huang)

<Resolving Phlegm>: Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Trichosanthes Root (Gua Lou Gen)

<Clearing Heat and Draining Fire>: Scrophularia Root (Xuan Shen), Gardenia Fruit (Shan Zhi Zi)

<Clearing Heat and Detoxifying>: Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao)

【Functions】

Dispels Wind, Clears Heat, Detoxifies.

 【Indications】

Accumulated heat in the Upper Jiao, initial stages of red eyes, eye pain, sore throat, mouth and tongue sores, vexation and heat in the heart and diaphragm, ascending Lung fire, dark and scanty urination, various wind-heat conditions, nasal redness, and other related syndromes.

 【Contraindications】

(1) Use with caution in pregnant women; (2) Avoid alcohol, rich foods, spicy, and stimulating foods; (3) Contraindicated for individuals with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold.

 【Mnemonic】

A mnemonic to remember the ingredients through phonetic associations and imagery in Chinese: “Fēng Guī, Hé Jú Gé, Xuán Zhī Sān Huáng Qiáo, Dà Xiōng Huáng Guā Jié.” These phrases represent the ingredients: Honey (Fēng Mì), Angelica Tail (Dāng Guī Wěi), Peppermint (Bò Hé), White Chrysanthemum Flower (Bái Jú Huā), Pueraria Root (Gé Gēn), Scrophularia Root (Xuán Shēn), Gardenia Fruit (Shān Zhī Zǐ), the Three Huangs (Huáng Lián, Huáng Qín, Huáng Bǎi), Forsythia Fruit (Lián Qiáo), Rhubarb (Dà Huáng), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuān Xiōng), Turmeric (Jiāng Huáng), Trichosanthes Root (Guā Lóu Gēn), and Platycodon Root (Jié Gēng). The accompanying story uses puns on these names: “Honey (Fēng) returns (Guī) to its nest, carrying ‘Brother Ju’ (Jú Gē, a pun involving Chrysanthemum, Platycodon, and Pueraria) on its back, who was stung by a bee (Hé, related to Bò Hé). Choose the cleverness of the three Huangs (three yellows). Abundantly supply auspicious ‘yellow gourds’ (Huáng Guā, a pun for Turmeric and Trichosanthes Root, ending with Platycodon).” This aids in recalling the 16 ingredients.