【Source】

“Qixiao Liangfang (1470 AD)”, “Zhengzhi Zhunsheng (1607 AD), Volume 61.”

 【Ingredients】

Divaricate Siler (Fangfeng), Schizonepeta (Jingjie), Peppermint (Bohe), Platycodon Root (Jiegeng), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), Coptis Root (Huanglian), Mountain Gardenia Fruit (Shanzhizi), Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao), Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen), Rhubarb (Dahuang), Mirabilite (Mangxiao), Burdock Fruit (Niubangzi), Raw Licorice Root (Sheng Gancao), Honeysuckle Flower (Jinyinhua), Lophatherum Herb (Danzhuye) (15)

 【Categories】

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Raw Licorice Root (Sheng Gancao)

<Release Exterior with Cool-Acrid Herbs>: Burdock Fruit (Niubangzi), Peppermint (Bohe)

<Clear Heat and Dry Dampness>: Coptis Root (Huanglian), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin)

<Purging/Attack>: Rhubarb (Dahuang), Mirabilite (Mangxiao)

<Release Exterior with Warm-Acrid Herbs>: Schizonepeta (Jingjie), Divaricate Siler (Fangfeng)

<Transform Phlegm>: Platycodon Root (Jiegeng)

<Clear Heat and Purge Fire>: Mountain Gardenia Fruit (Shanzhizi), Lophatherum Herb (Danzhuye), Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen)

<Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity>: Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao), Honeysuckle Flower (Jinyinhua)

【Functions】

Clears heat and resolves toxicity.

 【Indications】

Epidemic sore throat with swelling and pain, excessive phlegm accumulation, discomfort in the chest and diaphragm, irritability with desire for cold drinks, and constipation.

 【Mnemonic】

Liang Ge San (Clear the Diaphragm Powder) + : This formula adds several herbs to Liang Ge San: 荊 (Jingjie), 防 (Fangfeng), 牛 (Niubangzi), 玄 (Xuanshen), 梗 (Jiegeng), 連 (Huanglian and Lianqiao), 金銀 (Jinyinhua). The Chinese mnemonic phrase to remember these additions is: 「僅防牛太閒，更連金銀都花光。金銀都花光了，心都涼到膈了。」 (Pinyin: Jǐn fáng niú tài xián, gèng lián jīnyín dōu huāguāng. Jīnyín dōu huāguāng le, xīn dōu liáng dào gé le.) This phrase uses phonetic resemblance to the herb names and conveys a feeling of “cooling to the diaphragm” (涼到膈了), linking back to the “涼膈散” (Liang Ge San) formula.