【Source】

《Yilin Gaicuo》 (Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics)

 【Composition】

Red Peony Root (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Peach Kernel (Semen Persicae), Safflower (Flos Carthami), Scallion (Bulbus Allii Fistulosi), Fresh Ginger (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), Red Jujube (Fructus Jujubae), Musk (Moschus)
(8 ingredients)

 【Categories】

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Red Jujube

<Acrid-Warm Releasing Exterior>: Scallion, Fresh Ginger

<Activating Blood and Dispelling Stasis>: Safflower, Red Peony Root, Peach Kernel, Szechuan Lovage Rhizome

<Opening Orifices>: Musk

【Formula Rationale】

《Commentary on Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics》 states: Within this formula, Red Peony Root and Szechuan Lovage Rhizome invigorate and activate blood; Peach Kernel and Safflower activate blood and unblock channels; Scallion and Ginger promote Yang; Musk opens orifices; rice wine unblocks collaterals; and Jujube Date is added to moderate the pungent, aromatic, and penetrating properties of the other herbs. Among them, Musk, with its pungent taste and warm nature, specializes in opening orifices, clearing obstructions, detoxifying, and activating blood.
《Annotations on Excellent Prescriptions by Famous Physicians Throughout History》 notes: “Dry blood syndrome” (Gan Xue Lao) in women or childhood malnutrition (Gan Zheng) are both caused by internal blood stasis leading to a failure to generate new blood. It is essential to activate blood to resolve stasis and promote circulation to generate new blood. This formula employs herbs that activate blood and open orifices to treat consumptive diseases, deeply embodying this principle. In the formula, Musk acts as the chief herb, its aromatic and penetrating nature allowing it to circulate through the twelve meridians, open all orifices, harmonize blood, and unblock collaterals; Peach Kernel, Safflower, Red Peony Root, and Szechuan Lovage Rhizome act as minister herbs, activating blood, eliminating stasis, and promoting circulation to generate new blood; Ginger and Jujube act as assistant herbs, harmonizing Ying and Wei qi, and facilitating blood circulation; Scallion acts as the messenger herb, promoting Yang and entering the collaterals. When combined, all these herbs collectively achieve the effect of activating blood and opening orifices.

 【Functions】

Activates blood and dispels stasis, unblocks channels and relieves pain, opens orifices with aromatic properties.

 【Clinical Applications】

(1) Blood stasis syndromes in the head and upper facial region: chronic deafness, rosacea, acute conjunctivitis, red and painful eyes, hair loss, gingival ulcerations, vitiligo, purpura. (2) Muscle wasting, cough with tidal fever, “dry blood syndrome” in women leading to consumption. (3) Childhood malnutrition (Gan Zheng) with distended abdomen and visible bluish veins, withered hair and muscle wasting, tidal fever in the afternoon, urine resembling rice water. (4) Headache, stubborn and sharp pain in the bones, arms, chest, and diaphragm, stroke.

 【Indications】

Traumatic brain injury, concussion, sequelae of stroke, sequelae of Japanese encephalitis, headache, neurosis, hair loss, epilepsy, vitiligo, rosacea, skin hyperpigmentation, flat warts, etc.; also used to treat scintillating scotoma, central retinal artery occlusion, thromboangiitis obliterans, acute conjunctivitis, and other conditions.

 【Mnemonic】

Peach, Safflower, Four Substances (without Rehmannia and Angelica), Scallion, Ginger, Jujube, and Musk. (This mnemonic highlights the core ingredients, comparing it to Taohong Siwu Tang but notably missing Rehmannia and Angelica, while adding Scallion, Ginger, Jujube, and Musk).

 【Modifications】

(1) For Qi deficiency, add Astragalus Root (Radix Astragali); (2) For Yin deficiency, add Scrophularia Root (Radix Scrophulariae) and Rehmannia Root (Radix Rehmanniae); (3) For hyperactive Liver Yang, add Antelope Horn Powder (Cornu Antelopis) and Abalone Shell (Concha Haliotidis); (4) For predominant Wind, add Silkworm (Bombyx Batryticatus) and Arisaema Rhizome (Rhizoma Arisaematis); (5) For co-existing excess in the bowels, add Minor Purgative Decoction (Xiao Chengqi Tang).