【Source】

《Universal Relief (Wan Bing Hui Chun)》 (1587), 《Shen’s Book of Honoring Life (Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu)》 (1773).

 【Composition】

Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu), Radix Asparagi (Tian Men Dong), Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai Men Dong), Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang), Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhi Mu), Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis (Huang Bai), Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Sheng Jiang), Fructus Jujubae (Da Zao)
(13)

 【Categories】

<Blood Tonifying>: Radix Paeoniae, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Radix Angelicae Sinensis

<Yin Tonifying/Nourishing Yin>: Radix Asparagi, Radix Ophiopogonis

<Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood>: Rehmanniae Radix

<Regulating Qi>: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, plus the three assisting herbs: Licorice, Ginger, Jujube

<Spleen Tonifying/Fortifying the Middle Jiao>: Radix Glycyrrhizae, Fructus Jujubae, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis

<Releasing the Exterior with Acrid-Warm Herbs>: Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens

<Clearing Heat and Draining Fire>: Rhizoma Anemarrhenae

【Formula Rationale】

According to “Han Dian”: This formula is named for its intention to nourish Yin and reduce Liver and Kidney Fire (heat), addressing cases where Liver Fire and Kidney Fire ascend due to a deficiency of Kidney Yin fluid, affecting the Spleen and Lungs. In essence, it employs moistening and anti-inflammatory methods. More specifically, Kidney Fire is the fundamental source of the body’s vital energy; its depletion leads to consumptive heat, causing fluid loss. Therefore, it requires moistening to alleviate the heat. It is particularly effective for certain types of pulmonary tuberculosis, especially when there is scanty, difficult-to-expectorate dry phlegm and dry rales are audible during chest auscultation. It often yields good results for proliferative pulmonary tuberculosis. Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata nourish the Liver and subdue its excess. Radix Asparagi and Radix Ophiopogonis moisten the Lungs. Rehmanniae Radix, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, and Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis clear stomach heat. Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, and Fructus Jujubae harmonize digestive function.

 【Functions】

Nourishes Yin and reduces fire.

 【Indications】

Deficiency consumption with Yin deficiency and Blood deficiency, and exuberant ministerial fire. Symptoms include fever, night sweats, palpitations, cough, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, dry throat, emaciation, dry stools, a red tongue, and a deep, rapid pulse.

 【Applications】

Pulmonary tuberculosis, dry pleurisy, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute and chronic pyelonephritis, renal tuberculosis, diabetes, pyelocystitis, nocturnal emissions, seminal emissions, and other related disorders.

 【Contraindications】

It is contraindicated in cases of high fever, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, cough with abundant phlegm, poor appetite, and exudative type disorders often presenting with diarrhea.

 【Mnemonic】

<Yin Nourishing & Blood Tonifying>: Er Dong (Radix Asparagi & Radix Ophiopogonis), Si Wu Tang (minus Chuan Xiong). <Clearing Heat, Reducing Fire & Regulating Qi>: Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Rehmanniae Radix, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (mnemonic: “white mother’s face is yellow and white”, referring to Bai Zhu, Zhi Mu, Chen Pi, Huang Bai, Sheng Di Huang) + San Zuo (Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Fructus Jujubae).