【Source】

“Dong Yuan Shi Xiao Fang” (Formulas for Testing Effectiveness by Dong Yuan), “Lan Shi Mi Zang” (Secret Treasury from the Orchid Chamber, 1249 AD), Volume Middle.

 【Composition】

Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Siler Root (Fang Feng), Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong), Licorice Root (Gan Cao), Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin)
(7 ingredients)

 【Categories】

<Spleen Invigorating & Middle Jiao Supplementing>: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)

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

<Clearing Heat & Drying Dampness>: Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin)

<Acrid-Warm Exterior Releasing>: Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Siler Root (Fang Feng)

<Activating Blood & Dispelling Stasis>: Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong)

【Formula Rationale】

According to “Yi Fang” (Medical Formulas): This formula addresses conditions related to the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyang meridians. The head is the meeting place of all six Yang meridians, symbolizing the heavens, a clear and empty space. When attacked by wind, cold, dampness, and heat, turbid Yin substances accumulate upwards, leading to excess conditions. (1) Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo) and Siler Root (Fang Feng) enter the Taiyang meridian; Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) enters the Shaoyang meridian. All are acrid, light, and ascending, acting to dispel wind and overcome dampness. (2) Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) enters the Jueyin meridian, serving as an envoy to connect Yin and Yang, Qi and Blood. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) enters the Taiyin meridian, dispersing cold and relieving pain; its acrid-sweet nature promotes dispersion, thus being Yang in action. (3) Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) are bitter and cold. When combined with the ascending properties of Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo) and Siler Root (Fang Feng), they can effectively clear damp-heat from the uppermost regions (the head). According to “Cheng Fang Bian Du” (Annotated Explanations of Established Formulas): This formula uses Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Siler Root (Fang Feng), Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu), and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong), which enter the Liver meridian to search for and dispel wind. They ascend to dissipate the pathogenic factors. The bitter and cold Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian), stir-fried with wine, first ascend and then descend to expel the fire. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) moderates urgency, harmonizes the middle Jiao, and coordinates the actions of other herbs. The use of tea is based on its extremely clear Qi, which can clear turbid impurities from the Upper Jiao and guide them downwards.

 【Functions】

Clears heat and reduces fire, expels wind and relieves pain.

 【Indications】

Conditions where damp-heat in the head is excessive, triggered by exposure to wind, causing hemicrania or general headache, unresolved for many years, as well as wind-damp-heat headache, upper congestion affecting the eyes, and persistent brain pain. According to “Yi Fang” (Medical Formulas): (1) Treats regular or one-sided headaches, chronic and persistent, and wind-damp-heat accumulating in the head and eyes. (2) Also for persistent brain pain.

 【Mnemonic】

Mnemonic: Attack (Qing Kong Gao) — Dry Wood, Gun Room Diligently Practices Skills (Gan Chai, Qiang Fang Qin Lian Xiong).

 【Modifications】

According to “Yi Fang” (Medical Formulas): (1) For Shaoyin headache or severe headache: Add Asarum (Xi Xin) (2 fen). (2) For Taiyin headache with a slow pulse and phlegm (known as phlegm-qi headache): Remove Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Siler Root (Fang Feng), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong), and Licorice Root (Gan Cao). Add Pinellia Tuber (Ban Xia) (1 liang 5 qian). (3) If hemicrania or general headache persists after taking this formula: Reduce Notopterygium Root (Qiang Huo), Siler Root (Fang Feng), and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) by half. Double the amount of Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu). (4) For Yangming headache with spontaneous sweating, fever, aversion to heat, and thirst: Administer Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) with Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi) instead.