【Source/Origin】

《Lan Shi Mi Zang (Secret Treasury in the Orchid Chamber) (1249)》, 《Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach) (1249)》, Volume Below.

【Composition】

Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui Shen), Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian), Radix Rehmanniae (Shengdihuang), Cortex Moutan (Mudanpi), Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shengma)n(5 ingredients)

【Categorization】

<Blood Tonifying>: Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui Shen)

<Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood>: Cortex Moutan (Mudanpi), Radix Rehmanniae (Shengdihuang)

<Acrid-Cooling Releasing Exterior>: Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shengma)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian)

【Formula Explanation】

From “Yi Fang”: This formula treats the Foot Yangming (Stomach) Meridian. (1) Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian): Drains Heart Fire and also drains Spleen Fire; the Spleen is the child of the Heart and is exteriorly-interiorly related to the Stomach. (2) Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui): Harmonizes blood. (3) Radix Rehmanniae (Shengdi), Cortex Moutan (Danpi): Cool blood, nourish Yin to subdue Yang. (4) Gypsum (Shigao): Drains severe heat from Yangming. (5) Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shengma): Lifts the clear Yang of Yangming; when the clear rises and heat descends, swelling subsides and pain stops. From “Shan Bu” (Amendments and Supplements): In this formula, Radix Rehmanniae (Shengdi) acts as the monarch herb, benefiting Yin and cooling blood, assisted by Cortex Moutan (Danpi) to eliminate steaming sensation and clear stagnation. Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian) acts as the minister herb, clearing heat and drying dampness, assisted by Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui) to enter the blood and circulate through the meridians. Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shengma), with its acrid-cool property, serves as a swift envoy to guide all other herbs directly to the blood level, thereby clearly resolving symptoms such as unclear throat and swollen, painful gums.

n 【Functions】n

Clears Stomach Fire, cools Blood Heat.

n 【Indications/Efficacy】n

Accumulated heat in the Stomach ascending to the mouth and teeth, unbearable upper and lower toothache, pain radiating to the head, flushed face, teeth preferring cold and disliking heat, or red, swollen, ulcerated gums, bleeding gums, hot and foul breath, or swollen, painful lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaws, dry mouth and tongue, red tongue with yellow coating. From “Yi Fang”: (1) Treats accumulated heat in the Stomach causing upper and lower toothache, radiating to the head, and flushed face. (2) Teeth preferring cold and disliking heat, or ulcerated gums, gingival bleeding, or swollen and painful lips, mouth, cheeks, and jaws. From “Shan Bu”: Damp-heat in the Stomach meridian causing swollen and painful gums, possibly radiating to the head, or flushed face.

【Clinical Applications】

Gingivitis, acute periodontitis, periodontal abscess, stomatitis, glossitis, and various other oral and dental diseases. It is also used for childhood fever, infantile labial herpes, acne, cholecystitis, bacterial dysentery, etc.

【Mnemonics】

(1) To remember “Qing Wei” (Clear Stomach), think: “Local singles fall in love” (sounds like ‘Danggui, Dihuang, Danpi, Shengma, Gypsum, Huanglian’). (2) Another one: “Birth mother becomes emperor” (sounds like ‘Shengma, Mudanpi, Danggui, Huanglian, Dihuang’).#

【Modifications】

(1) If Stomach Fire is severe, add Gypsum (Shigao) to enhance the stomach-clearing effect. (2) If heat-toxin is severe, add Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Jinyinhua), Fructus Forsythiae (Lianqiao), and Gypsum (Shigao) to clear heat, cool blood, and detoxify. (3) If accompanied by constipation, add Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Dahuang) and Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis (Houpo) to purge heat and unblock the bowels. (4) If gums are swollen, painful, bleeding, and ulcerated, add crude Gypsum (Shengshigao), Radix Scutellariae (Huangqin), Herba Taraxaci (Pugongying), Fructus Forsythiae (Lianqiao), and Rhizoma Imperatae (Baimaogen) to enhance the effects of clearing heat and stopping bleeding. (5) If accompanied by severe hypochondriac pain, add Radix Curcumae (Yujin) and Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu) to soothe the Liver and stop pain. (6) If there is a greasy yellow tongue coating and thirst, remove Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui) and add Radix Scrophulariae (Xuanshen) and Radix Trichosanthis (Tianhuafen) to generate fluids and quench thirst. (7) For toothache due to wind-fire, it is advisable to add Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fangfeng) and Herba Menthae (Bohe) to dispel wind. This formula should be avoided for toothache due to wind-cold. (8) “Yi Fang Ji Jie” (Collection of Medical Formulas) records this formula with Gypsum (Shigao), which strengthens its stomach-clearing effect, making it a selected prescription for dentistry.

【Pharmacology】

It has antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, hemostatic, and other effects.