【Source】

From “Wai Ke Quan Sheng Ji” (1740), Volume 4.

 【Composition】

Cooked Rehmannia, White Mustard Seed, Deer Antler Gelatin, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger Carbonized, Ephedra, Raw Licorice
(7)

 【Classification】

<Blood tonifying>: Cooked Rehmannia

<Spleen and middle tonifying>: Raw Licorice

<Aromatic warm exterior releasing>: Ephedra

<Interior warming>: Ginger Carbonized, Cinnamon Bark

<Yang tonifying and assisting>: Deer Antler Gelatin

<Phlegm resolving>: White Mustard Seed

【Formula Analysis】

According to “Cheng Fang Bian Du”: Cooked Rehmannia is the chief herb, powerfully tonifying Yin and blood; fearing that plant substances might be insufficient, Deer Antler Gelatin, a substance of essence and blood, is added to assist it. However, since the condition is deficient and cold, and not treatable by gentle tonification for quick results, prepared ginger is used to warm the middle and dispel cold, entering the blood division to guide the Cooked Rehmannia and Deer Antler Gelatin to their destination and achieve their effect. White Mustard Seed can resolve phlegm from the interior and membranes; Cinnamon Twig enters the Ying, and Ephedra reaches the Wei, together achieving the effect of releasing and dispersing, to promote the stagnation of Cooked Rehmannia and Deer Antler Gelatin. Licorice not only harmonizes the herbs but also relies on its essence of the earth to dissolve poisons.

 【Functions】

Warms Yang, tonifies blood, dispels cold, and unblocks stagnation.

 【Indications】

All types of Yin sores caused by Yang deficiency and cold coagulation, such as bone sores, scrofulous sores, and crane’s leg wind, where the affected area is flat and pale or dark, without swelling or with diffuse swelling.

 【Applications】

Bone tuberculosis, peritoneal tuberculosis, lymph node tuberculosis, thromboangiitis obliterans, chronic deep abscesses, etc., tuberculosis, arrhythmia, urticaria, etc.

 【Contraindications】

Use with caution in pregnant women.

 【Mnemonic】

Borrowing noble charcoal (jie gui tan).

 【Additions and Subtractions】

(1) If accompanied by Qi deficiency, add Codonopsis and Astragalus to tonify Qi.
(2) If Yang deficiency and severe Yin cold are present, add Aconite to enhance the Yang-assisting effect.