[Source]

Volume 1 of “Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang” (compiled and expanded by Wu Zhige from various family prescriptions).

 [Composition]

Prepared Tiannanxing (Arisaema heterophyllum), prepared Chuanwu (Aconitum carmichaelii), prepared Cao wu (Aconitum kusnezoffii), Dilong (Pheretima aspergillum), Ruxiang (Boswellia carterii), Moyao (Myrrh)
(6)

 [Categorization]

<Warming the Interior>: Chuanwu

<Activating Blood and Dispelling Blood Stasis>: Moyao, Ruxiang

<Resolving Phlegm>: Tiannanxing

<Calming the Liver and Extinguishing Wind>: Dilong

[Rationale of the Formula]

“Yi Fang”: Affects the Tai Yin and Jue Yin meridians of the foot. (1) Wu He-gao states: Dan Xing (Tiannanxing): Pungent and strong, thus it dries damp-phlegm. (2) Er Wu (Chuanwu and Cao wu): Pungent and warm, thus they disperse cold and dampness. (3) Dilong: Born from damp earth, it helps guide Wu and Xing to the location where damp-phlegm has accumulated, as mentioned by Da Yi: “Like attracts like.” (4) When wind evil attacks the limbs, over time blood circulation becomes stagnant, hence Ruxiang and Moyao are used to dispel blood stasis. “Cheng Fang Bian Du”: Chuanwu and Cao wu directly reach the site of illness, promoting circulation through the meridians, dispersing wind evil, and expelling cold-dampness. Dan Xing then exerts its effect of dispelling wind and resolving phlegm wherever it reaches. The aromatic nature of Ru and Mo opens collaterals, activates blood, and moves stasis. Earthworms are known for their ability to penetrate and are used as guides. The pills are taken with wine, although this is intended to slow their action, it also aims to promote circulation.

 [Functions]

Dispels wind and activates collaterals, removes dampness and stops pain.

 [Indications]

Deficiency of Yuanqi, invasion of cold and dampness into the meridians, various wind evils and damp-toxic qi lingering in the meridians, accumulating in the hands and feet, causing muscle spasms and contractures, inability to flex or extend limbs, wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, limb pain, numbness, spasms, all types of migratory gout and pain, generalized body pain. Pain due to contusions and trauma with blood stasis. “Yi Fang”: (1) Treats numbness and insensitivity of hands and feet after stroke that does not heal over time. (2) Damp phlegm and stagnant blood in the meridians, with sudden stabbing pain in one or two points on the legs and arms.

 [Therapeutic Indications]

Sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), etc.

 [Contraindications]

Contraindicated in pregnant women.

 [Mnemonic]

(1) Huoluo (Vitality and Meridian-Activating) — Er Wu, Mo, Ru, Nan, Long (二巫沒乳難隆 – two witches, Myrrh, Frankincense, difficulty, dragon). (2) Huoluo Xiaoling Dan: Moyao, Ruxiang, Danggui Dan (參).

 [Pharmacological Actions]

Possesses expectorant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, and local anesthetic effects.