【Source】

Volume 12 of “Rumen Shipin”.

 【Composition】

Muxiang (Costus Root), Binlang (Areca Nut), Qingpi (Immature Bitter Orange Peel), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Ezhu (Zedoary Rhizome), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Qianniuzi (Morning Glory Seed)
(10 ingredients)

 【Ingredient Categories】

<Regulating Qi>: Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Qingpi (Immature Bitter Orange Peel), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Muxiang (Costus Root)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome)

<Purging>: Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome)

<Activating Blood and Dispelling Stasis>: Ezhu (Zedoary Rhizome)

<Expelling Parasites>: Binlang (Areca Nut)

<Potently Purging Water>: Qianniuzi (Morning Glory Seed)

【Formula Principles】

According to “Yifang”: This formula addresses the Hand Yangming and Foot Yangming meridians. (1) For damp-heat in the Qi aspect of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), Muxiang (Costus Root) and Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) are qi-regulating herbs that can unblock the Sanjiao and resolve the Six Depressions. (2) Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) regulates the Lung Qi in the Upper Burner. (3) Qingpi (Immature Bitter Orange Peel) harmonizes Liver Qi in the Lower Burner. (4) Zhike (Fructus Aurantii) broadens the intestines and promotes qi flow. (5) Hei Chou (Qianniuzi, Morning Glory Seed) and Binlang (Areca Nut) are also potent and fast-acting qi-descending agents. When qi flows smoothly, there will be no symptoms of abdominal fullness, distention, or tenesmus. Malaria and dysentery are caused by the accumulation of damp-heat, leading to disharmony of qi and blood. (6) Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) are herbs that dry dampness and clear heat. (7) Sanleng (Sparganium Rhizome) can break qi stagnation within the blood. (8) Ezhu (Zedoary Rhizome) can break blood stagnation within the qi. (9) Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) and Mangxiao (Mirabilite) are herbs that act on the blood aspect, capable of eliminating latent heat in the blood, promoting the passage of accumulated stagnation, and are potent agents for resolving hard masses and dissipating glomus. (10) When damp-heat and accumulated stagnation are removed, the two excretions (urine and stool) will become regular, and the Sanjiao will be unblocked and harmonious. This is because if old impurities are not cleansed, the clear yang ultimately cannot ascend. Therefore, these herbs must be employed to expel and clear them, embodying the principle of “clearing the blockage to restore flow.” However, it should not be administered lightly if there is no true accumulation. (11) Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) may be added to moisten dryness and harmonize the blood.

 【Functions】

Regulates qi and guides out stagnation, purges heat and unblocks the bowels.

 【Indications】

Treats internal accumulation and stagnation, marked by epigastric and abdominal fullness, distention, and pain, constipation, as well as dysentery with red and white discharge, tenesmus, greasy yellow tongue coating, and forceful pulse. According to “Yifang”: Treats accumulation and stagnation in the chest and abdomen, characterized by glomus, fullness, congealed pain, obstructed bowel movements, or diarrhea with dysentery, tenesmus, and malarial food stagnation.

 【Applications】

Acute gastroenteritis, acute bacterial dysentery, etc., presenting with the aforementioned indications. Also, for indigestion from cold food, undigested food accumulation, food stagnation, and undigested grains.

 【Mnemonic】

The Chinese mnemonic “清晨我用香檳附加三斤黃牛肉請客 (青陳莪香檳,附黃牛)” can be understood as: “In the early morning, I treat guests with ‘champagne’ plus three catties of ‘yellow beef’.” This mnemonic helps remember the herbs by associating their sounds:
清 (Qing) -> Qingpi (青皮)
晨 (Chen) -> Chenpi (陳皮)
我 (Wo), representing 莪 (E) -> Ezhu (莪朮)
香檳 (Xiang Bin) -> Xiangfu (香附), Binlang (檳榔)
附 (Fu) -> Xiangfu (香附)
黃 (Huang) -> Huanglian (黃連), Huangbai (黃柏), Dahuang (大黃)
牛 (Niu) -> Qianniuzi (牽牛子)

 【Modifications】

(1) If qi stagnation is mild, presenting with distention but no pain, remove Qingpi (Immature Bitter Orange Peel) and Ezhu (Zedoary Rhizome) to prevent harming the upright qi. (2) If accumulation and stagnation are mild, remove Binlang (Areca Nut) and Qianniuzi (Morning Glory Seed). (3) If abdominal pain is severe, add Baishao (White Peony Root) to soothe the Liver and relieve pain. (4) If appetite is poor, add Shenqu (Medicated Leaven), Laifuzi (Radish Seed), and Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit).

 【Pharmacology】

It has antibacterial effects, influences gastrointestinal smooth muscle function, and other actions.