【Source】

Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun, Volume 2.

 【Composition】

Qiang Huo, Du Huo, Gao Ben, Fang Feng, (fried) Gan Cao, Chuan Xiong, Man Jing Zi (7)

 【Classification】

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Gan Cao

<Release Exterior with Acrid-Cool Herbs>: Man Jing Zi

<Release Exterior with Acrid-Warm Herbs>: Gao Ben, Qiang Huo, Fang Feng

<Invigorate Blood and Remove Stasis>: Chuan Xiong

<Dispel Wind and Dampness>: Du Huo

【Analysis】

Yi Fang: This is a formula for the Tai Yang channel. (1) The classics state: Wind can overcome dampness, and Qiang Huo, Du Huo, Fang Feng, Gao Ben, Chuan Xiong, and Man Jing Zi are all wind-dispelling herbs. (2) When dampness is on the exterior, these six herbs are acrid, warm, ascending, and dispersing, and they all release the exterior. They cause dampness to be expelled with sweat, thus dispersing all pathogenic factors. If there is water-dampness in the interior, then agents that promote water circulation and infiltration should be used. (3) Gao Ben specifically treats cold-dampness of the Tai Yang channel. (4) Man Jing Zi and Fang Feng are good at dispersing wind-dampness of the Tai Yang channel. (5) The two Huo herbs dispel wind and overcome dampness, and also unblock the joints. (6) Chuan Xiong can ascend the clear Qi of the Jue Yin channel and treat headaches. (7) Gan Cao assists the other herbs; its acrid and sweet flavor causes it to be yang, and its sweet and neutral nature, while dispersing, also tonifies. Therefore, it has a tonifying effect within the dispersing action.

 【Functions】

Induce sweating, dispel wind, overcome dampness.

 【Indications】

(1) Wind-dampness on the exterior, characterized by headache, body aches, shoulder and back pain, stiff neck, heavy and stiff limbs, difficulty in movement, or generalized pain, heaviness making it impossible to turn over, fever, aversion to cold, thin white tongue coating, and a tight pulse. (2) Bi syndrome where wind evil is predominant, and eye diseases caused by wind evil attacking the upper body. Yi Fang: Dampness on the exterior, characterized by headache, heavy head, or heavy and painful lower back and spine, or generalized body pain, mild fever, and lethargy.

 【Applications】

Common cold, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, tension headache, ophthalmological diseases.

 【Mnemonic】

Qiang wo sheng shi tang — Qiang man fang ben cao xiong du (Qiang Huo, Man Jing Zi, Fang Feng, Ben Cao, Chuan Xiong, Du Huo)

 【Modifications】

Yi Fang: If there is heaviness in the body and lower back, indicating cold-dampness in the interior, add wine-washed Fang Ji and Fu Zi. (1) If the body is heavy and the lower back feels sinking, with cold-dampness in the channels, add five fen of wine-washed Han Fang Ji. For milder cases, add five fen of Fu Zi; for severe cases, add five fen of Chuan Wu to warm the channels, disperse cold, assist yang, and transform dampness.