【Source】n

《Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber》

【Composition】

Ephedra (Má Huáng), Gypsum (Shí Gāo), Fresh Ginger (Shēng Jiāng), Licorice Root (Gān Cǎo), Jujube (Dà Zǎo)n(5)

【Categorization】

<Tonifies Spleen and Replenishes Middle Jiao>: Jujube (Dà Zǎo), Licorice Root (Gān Cǎo)

<Pungent-Warm to Release the Exterior>: Ephedra (Má Huáng), Fresh Ginger (Shēng Jiāng)

<Clear Heat and Purge Fire>: Gypsum (Shí Gāo)

【Formula Principles】n

《Medical Prescriptions》: A formula for the Foot Taiyang meridian. (1) Used for wind-water retention between the skin and muscles, using the pungent-warm nature of Ephedra to drain the Lung. (2) Gypsum: its sweet-cold nature clears the Stomach. (3) Licorice Root assists it, allowing wind-water to exit through the pores. (4) Furthermore, Ginger and Jujube are used as envoys to harmonize the Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive qi), preventing excessive dispersion that would deplete body fluids. 《Edited and Supplemented》: Yu Chang said: Ephedra and Gypsum are two substances, one sweet-warm, one sweet-cold, used together. …Zhao Liang said: The sweet-warm Ephedra travels through the Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians, connecting to the skin, circulating qi in the three Yin meridians to dispel yin-cold pathogens; the sweet-cold Gypsum travels through the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, reaching the muscles, circulating qi in the three Yang meridians to dispel wind-heat pathogens. Both are used for their sweet taste to enter the Earth element, their cold and warm properties to harmonize Yin and Yang, and their property of rapid movement to release Spleen qi. Furthermore, Licorice Root harmonizes the middle jiao and alleviates urgency, these two herbs cooperating for success. The sweetness of Jujube tonifies blood in the Spleen; the pungent nature of Fresh Ginger benefits qi in the Stomach. For those who dislike wind (a sign of Yang deficiency), Aconite Root (Fuzi) is added to benefit Yang. For wind-water, Atractylodes (Zhu) is added to disperse wind-water between the skin and muscles, promoting the qi of grain essence to circulate in Ying and Wei, and acts as an ‘envoy’ with Ephedra and Gypsum, guiding them into the Earth element. Is not the name ‘Yue Bi’ appropriate indeed?! 《Chinese Classic》: This formula is derived from Da Qing Long Tang (Major Blue Dragon Decoction) by removing Cinnamon Twig (Guì Zhī) and Apricot Kernel (Xìng Rén). Therefore, it is used in cases where there are exterior pathogens and interior heat, similar to Da Qing Long Tang. However, Da Qing Long Tang is used for anhidrosis (no sweating), while this formula is for spontaneous sweating. Generally, formulas composed of Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig are for anhidrosis, whereas those composed of Ephedra and Gypsum without Cinnamon Twig are aimed at spontaneous sweating. Therefore, this formula targets symptoms such as thirst, spontaneous sweating, and reduced urination, even though there are exterior pathogens, but without aversion to cold or fever. Additionally, because there is no Apricot Kernel, its power to treat wheezing is weaker, but it is effective in treating edema. The pulse is often floating, but in cases of edema alone, the pulse is not necessarily floating.

n 【Functions】n

Disperse water-dampness, diffuse lung qi, clear heat.

n 【Indications】n

(1) Wind-water characterized by aversion to wind, generalized swelling of the body, swollen face and eyes, slight fever with sweating, and a floating pulse. (2) This formula targets symptoms such as thirst, spontaneous sweating, and reduced urination, even though there are exterior pathogens, but without aversion to cold or fever. 《Medical Prescriptions》: Wind-water with aversion to wind, generalized swelling of the body, a floating pulse without thirst, continuous sweating from the hands, and no significant fever. (The classics state: Simultaneous floating of Liver and Kidney indicates wind-water). 《Edited and Supplemented》: Wind-water with aversion to wind, generalized swelling of the body, a floating pulse without thirst, continuous sweating, and no significant fever. It also treats interior water retention, with yellow swelling of the face and body, a submerged pulse, and difficulty urinating, leading to water retention disease. If urination is normal, this indicates depletion of body fluids, causing thirst. Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang (Yue Bi Decoction with Atractylodes) is indicated for this.

n 【Clinical Applications】n

Acute nephritis with the above symptoms, chronic bronchitis, rheumatic fever. Nephrosclerosis, early stage nephritis, arthritis, rheumatism, beriberi, eczema, rheumatic purpura.

n 【Mnemonics】n

(1) 越南婢女幹嘛搞將早 (Yuènán bìnǚ gànmá gǎo jiāng zǎo) – “Vietnamese maid, why are you doing this early?” (Phonetic for 甘草, 麻黃, 石膏, 生薑, 大棗 – Gān cǎo, Má huáng, Shí gāo, Shēng jiāng, Dà zǎo). (2) 吵罵將早死 (chǎo mà jiāng zǎo sǐ) – “Quarrelling early leads to death.” (Phonetic for 甘草, 麻黃, 生薑, 大棗, 石膏 – Gān cǎo, Má huáng, Shēng jiāng, Dà zǎo, Shí gāo).

n 【Modifications】n

《Medical Prescriptions》: For aversion to wind: Add Aconite Root (Fuzi). 《Chinese Classic》: For wheezing, asthmatic cough, facial edema, thirst, and a tendency for reduced urination: Add Pinellia (Banxia).