【Source】

Wan Bing Hui Chun (Myriad Diseases Restored to Spring), Volume 5.

 【Composition】

Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit), Fang Feng (Siler Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Root), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Rhizome), Shao Yao (White Peony Root), Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange Peel), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Gan Cao (Licorice Root)
(13 ingredients)

 【Categorization of Ingredients】

<Nourishing Blood>: Shao Yao (White Peony Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Root)

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

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

<Acrid-Cool Exterior-Releasing>: Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root)

<Acrid-Warm Exterior-Releasing>: Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Fang Feng (Siler Root)

<Invigorating Blood and Dispelling Stasis>: Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Rhizome)

<Resolving Phlegm>: Jie Geng (Platycodon Root)

<Clearing Heat and Draining Fire>: Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit)

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

【Formula Actions】

In this formula, Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) is acrid and warm, dispelling wind and releasing the exterior. It excels at entering the blood level to clear wind-heat from the blood. Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) is bitter and slightly cold, light and ascending, capable of penetrating both the exterior and interior, clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing fire, and reducing swelling. The combination of warm and cold properties makes them the chief herbs, together accomplishing the task of expelling wind, clearing heat, reducing swelling, and dissipating nodules. Fang Feng (Siler Root), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), and Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Rhizome) are acrid and warm, assisting Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) in expelling wind and releasing the exterior, especially ascending to the head and eyes. Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) and Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) enter the Liver and Gallbladder meridians to harmonize and clear heat. Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit) is bitter and cold, clearing heat and draining fire, assisting Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) in clearing heat and reducing swelling. Dang Gui (Angelica Root) and Bai Shao (White Peony Root) nourish and invigorate blood, harmonizing the collaterals. Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) is bitter, acrid, and neutral, both ascending and descending, guiding the medicine upwards, and also effective at expelling pus and reducing swelling. Gan Cao (Licorice Root) harmonizes the actions of all other herbs. When used together, all these herbs achieve the effects of expelling wind, clearing heat, reducing swelling, and relieving pain.

 【Functions】

Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and relieves pain.

 【Indications】

Wind-heat in the Kidney meridian, swelling and pain in both ears, or nasal discharge (Bi Yuan) due to heat transferred from the fetus to the brain.

 【Mnemonic】

Categories and Ingredients: <Nourishing Blood/Spleen>: Shao Yao (Peony), Dang Gui (Angelica), Gan Cao (Licorice); <Releasing Exterior>: Fang Feng (Siler), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Chai Hu (Bupleurum); <Clearing Heat>: Shan Zhi (Gardenia), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Lian Qiao (Forsythia); <Regulating Qi/Invigorating Blood/Resolving Phlegm>: Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage), Jie Geng (Platycodon).
Mnemonic Phrase (phonetic): 草歸嫂 (Cao Gui Sao – Licorice returns to sister-in-law), 防止借錢 (Fang Zhi Jie Qian – prevent borrowing money), 支琴翹 (Zhi Qin Qiao – support the qin’s up-turn), 只問吉凶 (Zhi Wen Ji Xiong – only ask for good or bad fortune).