[Source]

Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases (Shang Han Lun)

 [Composition]

Mume fruit (Wu Mei), Asarum herb (Xi Xin), Dried ginger (Gan Jiang), Coptis root (Huang Lian), Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui), Prepared Aconite root (Pao Fu Zi), Sichuan pepper (Shu Jiao), Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai)
(10)

 [Category Grouping]

<Blood tonifying>: Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui)

<Clearing heat and drying dampness>: Coptis root (Huang Lian), Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai)

<Qi tonifying>: Ginseng (Ren Shen)

<Releasing exterior with acrid warmth>: Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi)

<Warming the interior>: Sichuan pepper (Shu Jiao), Prepared Aconite root (Fu Zi), Asarum herb (Xi Xin), Dried ginger (Gan Jiang)

<Astringing>: Mume fruit (Wu Mei)

[Formula Meaning]

From “Prescriptions of the Master of Medicine”: This formula addresses the Liver and Stomach meridians. (1) Roundworms are subdued by sourness, hence Mume fruit (Wu Mei)‘s sourness is used to subdue them. (2) Roundworms are pacified by bitterness, hence the bitterness of Coptis root (Huang Lian) and Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai) is used to pacify them. (3) Roundworms are agitated by cold, hence Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Prepared Aconite root (Fu Zi), Dried ginger (Gan Jiang), and Sichuan pepper (Shu Jiao) are used to warm the interior organs. (4) Asarum herb (Xi Xin) and Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui) are used to moisten the Kidneys and Liver. (5) Ginseng (Ren Shen) is used to support the Spleen. (6) Mume fruit (Wu Mei) also serves to astringe the Lung. From “Chinese Medicine Encyclopedia”: This formula is composed of white Mume fruit (Wu Mei), Asarum herb (Xi Xin), Prepared Aconite root (Fu Zi), Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai), Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui), Sichuan pepper (Shu Jiao), Dried ginger (Gan Jiang), and Coptis root (Huang Lian). Mume fruit (Wu Mei) has effects of killing parasites, detoxifying, clearing heat, and astringing. Sichuan pepper (Shu Jiao) is effective in treating intestinal spasms and expelling parasites. It works in synergy with Mume fruit (Wu Mei), and together with Asarum herb (Xi Xin), Dried ginger (Gan Jiang), Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui), and Prepared Aconite root (Fu Zi), it warms the interior. Asarum herb (Xi Xin) and Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), in conjunction with Prepared Aconite root (Fu Zi), promote metabolism and improve blood circulation. Ginseng (Ren Shen) has a strengthening and nourishing effect, can stop vomiting and diarrhea, and increase appetite. Coptis root (Huang Lian) and Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai), in addition to strengthening the stomach, calming the spirit, and reducing inflammation, can also clear upper heat and assist Mume fruit (Wu Mei) and Sichuan pepper (Shu Jiao) in enhancing the efficacy of expelling parasites.

 [Functions]

Warms the interior and pacifies roundworms.

 [Indications]

Roundworm-induced colic (Hui Jue), vexation and vomiting, severe cases with roundworms expelled in vomit, intermittent attacks, vomiting after eating, cold hands and feet, intermittent abdominal pain. “Hui Jue” refers to paroxysmal abdominal pain, restlessness, and cold extremities caused by roundworms. From “Prescriptions of the Master of Medicine”: (1) Treats cold-type Taiyin pattern of Shang Han Lun, with cold extremities and roundworm vomiting (from Shang Han Lun, Taiyin Chapter). (2) Also treats cough originating from the stomach, with cough and vomiting, and in severe cases, expulsion of roundworms. (3) Also treats chronic diarrhea. From “Shan Bu”: Taiyin disease with thirst, qi rising to strike the heart, heat in the chest, aversion to eating despite hunger, and vomiting roundworms after eating. Also treats chronic diarrhea.

 [Clinical Applications]

Ascariasis, biliary ascariasis, biliary tract infections, abdominal pain due to roundworm-induced intestinal obstruction, gastritis, hyperacidity, gastric ulcer. Chronic diarrhea, postpartum cold and hot dysentery, persistent diarrhea.

 [Contraindications]

(1) Avoid raw and cold foods, slippery foods, and foul-smelling foods, etc.; (2) The nature of the formula is generally warm; it is best suited for conditions with severe cold. (3) Use with caution in pregnant women. (4) Contraindicated in the early stages of diarrhea.

 [Mnemonics]

The bride is charming (Wu Mei Wan) — The matchmaker connects noble ladies and gentlemen, who are all concerned (Mei Bai Lian Gui Fu Jiang Ren Dang Xin).

 [Modifications]

(1) If cold is severe, remove Coptis root (Huang Lian) and Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai). (2) If heat is severe, remove Prepared Aconite root (Fu Zi) and Dried ginger (Gan Jiang). (3) For vomiting, add Evodia fruit (Wu Zhu Yu) and Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia) to harmonize the stomach, descend qi, and stop vomiting. (4) For severe abdominal pain, add Costus root (Mu Xiang) and Chinaberry fruit (Chuan Lian Zi) to regulate qi and relieve pain. (5) For constipation, add Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Areca seed (Bing Lang) to purge the bowels and promote defecation.

 [Pharmacology]

It has effects of anesthetizing parasites, enhancing gallbladder contraction, increasing bile secretion, relaxing the sphincter of Oddi, inhibiting bacteria, and relieving pain.