【Source】

“Qixiao Liangfang” (Effective Prescriptions for Wonderful Cures) (1470), “Wanbing Huichun” (Spring for Myriad Diseases) (1587), “Zhengzhi Zhunsheng” (Standard of Patterns and Treatments) (1607).

 【Composition】

Schizonepeta Spike (Jing Jie Sui), Ledebouriella Root (Fang Feng), Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Angelica Pubescens Root (Du Huo), Peucedanum Root (Qian Hu), Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu), Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Ke), Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Red Poria (Chi Fu Ling), Sichuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang), Licorice Root (Gan Cao), Peppermint (Bo He)
(13)

 【Categorization by Ingredient Function】

<Regulate Qi>: Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Ke)

<Tonify Spleen & Middle Jiao>: Red Peony Root (Chi Shao), Licorice Root (Gan Cao)

<Release Exterior (Acrid & Cool)>: Peppermint (Bo He), Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu)

<Release Exterior (Acrid & Warm)>: Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Ledebouriella Root (Fang Feng), Schizonepeta Spike (Jing Jie Sui), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)

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

<Invigorate Blood & Dispel Stasis>: Sichuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong)

<Dispel Wind-Dampness>: Angelica Pubescens Root (Du Huo)

<Transform Phlegm>: Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Peucedanum Root (Qian Hu)

【Formulation Rationale】

According to “Formulas of Tang”: Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Angelica Pubescens Root (Du Huo), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), and Ledebouriella Root (Fang Feng) are the chief ingredients in this formula, inducing sweating to release the exterior, dispelling dampness, and relieving pain. Sichuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong) and Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) serve as secondary ingredients, dispelling wind, invigorating blood, relieving pain, releasing the exterior, and clearing heat. Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Ke), Peucedanum Root (Qian Hu), and Poria (Fu Ling) are assistant ingredients, broadening the chest, regulating Qi, transforming phlegm, and stopping cough. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) acts as an envoy ingredient, supplementing Qi and harmonizing all other herbs.

 【Functions】

Induces sweating and releases the exterior.

 【Indications】

External contraction of Wind-Cold-Damp pathogen, aversion to cold with fever, headache and stiff neck, aching limbs, swollen cheeks, anhidrosis (absence of sweating), nasal obstruction, Wind-Cold cough, cough with phlegm, sore throat.

 【Mnemonic】

Bai Du San + Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Ledebouriella Root (Fang Feng).

 【Modifications】

(1) For disease in the head, add Angelica Dahurica Root (Bai Zhi), Cimicifuga Rhizome (Sheng Ma); (2) For the upper body, double the dose of Platycodon Root (Jie Geng); (3) For the hands, add Thin Cinnamon Bark (Bo Gui); (4) For the lower back, add Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong); (5) For the legs and feet, add Achyranthes Root (Niu Xi), Chinese Quince Fruit (Mu Gua).