【Source】

《Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang》

 【Ingredients】

Bai Biandou (White Hyacinth Bean), Lianzi Rou (Lotus Seed), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Suosha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Yiyi Ren (Coix Seed), Renshen (Ginseng), Fuling (Poria), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Gancao (Licorice Root), Shanyao (Chinese Yam), Dazao (Jujube)
(11)

 【Categories】

<Tonify Spleen & Replenish Middle Jiao>: Baizhu, Dazao, Gancao, Bai Biandou, Shanyao

<Tonify Qi>: Renshen

<Tonify Spleen & Promote Diuresis>: Fuling

<Aromatically Transform Dampness>: Suosha Ren

<Transform Phlegm>: Jiegeng

<Astringent>: Lianzi Rou

<Promote Diuresis & Resolve Dampness>: Yiyi Ren

【Formula Principles】

《Medical Formulas》: This formula acts on the Spleen and Stomach (Foot Taiyin and Yangming channels). To treat the Spleen and Stomach, one must tonify their deficiency, eliminate dampness, move stagnation, and regulate Qi. (1)Renshen, Baizhu, Fuling, Gancao, Shanyao, Bai Biandou, Yiyi Ren, Lianzi Rou: All are herbs that tonify the Spleen. (2)Fuling, Shanyao, Yiyi Ren: regulate the Spleen and also promote dampness excretion. (3)Suosha Ren, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel): regulate Qi and remove stagnation. When combined with Renshen, Baizhu, Fuling, and Gancao, they warm the Stomach and also tonify the Middle Jiao. (4)Jiegeng: bitter and sweet, enters the Lung channel, can carry other herbs upward, and also connects the Qi of Heaven to the Qi of Earth, allowing Qi to ascend and descend for better harmony, and protects the Lung to prevent dryness, and prevents other herbs from over-descending.《Chinese Dictionary》: This formula acts on the Spleen and Stomach, i.e., the digestive system. Based on Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), it can tonify the weakness of the Spleen and Stomach, and has the effects of dispelling dampness, resolving stagnation, and regulating Qi (gases). It can be used for those with chronic weak gastrointestinal function, difficulty eating much, frequent diarrhea, fatigue without heat, poor appetite, and extreme fatigue and loss of appetite after a severe illness. If tuberculosis patients develop watery diarrhea due to the use of bitter-cold remedies like Ziyin Jianghuo Tang (Nourish Yin and Reduce Fire Decoction) or Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Detoxification Decoction), this formula can be used to tonify the Spleen and Stomach and stop the diarrhea. Furthermore, it is also highly effective for anemic and debilitated women suffering from leucorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and bleeding. According to Tatsuji Baba, this formula has shown special efficacy for intestinal fermentative indigestion. In this formula, Renshen, Baizhu, Fuling, and Gancao form Sijunzi Tang, which can strengthen the Spleen and Stomach. Shanyao, Yiyi Ren, Bai Biandou, Lianzi Rou, etc., all can tonify the Spleen and remove dampness. Suosha Ren stimulates appetite, and Jiegeng harmonizes the Lungs and also stops diarrhea.

 【Functions】

Tonifies Qi and invigorates the Spleen, resolves dampness and harmonizes the Stomach.

 【Indications】

Conditions of Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency with dampness, manifesting as indigestion, vomiting or diarrhea, weak physique, listlessness in limbs, fullness and stuffiness in the chest and epigastrium, slow and weak pulse, etc. 《Medical Formulas》: Spleen and Stomach weakness, indigestion, or vomiting or diarrhea.

 【Clinical Applications】

Chronic enteritis, chronic gastritis, chronic nephritis, gastrointestinal dysfunction, indigestion, intestinal fermentative indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and intestinal tuberculosis after severe illness.

 【Mnemonic】

The Four Gentlemen insist Miss Coix and Lotus wear several layers of gauze (Sijun + Bai Biandou, Shanyao, Yiyi Ren, Lianzi Rou, Jiegeng, Chenpi, Sharen).

 【Modifications】

(1) If there is frequent and stubborn diarrhea, it is advisable to add Hezi (Chebula Fruit), Poppy Husk, Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) to astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea. (2) If there is morning diarrhea, it is advisable to add Sishen Wan (Four Miraculous Pills) to warm the Kidneys and consolidate astringency. (3) If there is Liver-Spleen disharmony, it is advisable to add purgative formulas to suppress the Liver and alleviate the Spleen. (4) If there is severe abdominal pain, it is advisable to use large doses of Baishao (White Peony Root) and Gancao (Licorice Root) to relieve pain. (5) If women experience leucorrhea or diarrhea during menstruation, belonging to Spleen deficiency with heavy dampness, it is advisable to add Cheqianzi (Plantain Seed), Huangqi (Astragalus Root), Cangzhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) to enhance Qi tonification and Spleen invigoration, promote diuresis, stop leucorrhea, and stop diarrhea. (6) If there is internal cold with abdominal pain, it is advisable to add Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) to warm the middle, dispel cold, and stop pain. (7) If there is excessive sweating, it is advisable to add calcined Longgu (Dragon Bone), Muli (Oyster Shell), raw Huangqi (Astragalus Root), and Mahuanggen (Ephedra Root) to stop sweating. (8) If there is cough with an itchy throat and sticky phlegm, it is advisable to add Banxia (Pinellia Ternate), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Beimu (Fritillary Bulb), and Jiangcan (Silkworm) to stop cough and resolve phlegm.