【Source】

《Dan Xi Xin Fa》

 【Composition】

Coptis Chinensis, Evodia rutaecarpa
(2)

 【Category】

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Coptis Chinensis

<Warming the Interior>: Evodia rutaecarpa

【Formula Rationale】

《Yi Fang》: This is a remedy for the Liver channel of the Foot-Jueyin. (1) When the Liver is in excess, it causes pain. The Heart is the child of the Liver; when in excess, its child is purged. (2) Therefore, Coptis Chinensis is used to purge the Heart and clear fire, acting as the monarch, preventing fire from attacking metal, so that metal can control wood, and the Liver is pacified. (3) Evodia rutaecarpa is pungent and warm, can enter the Jueyin channel, move qi, relieve constraint, and also guide fire downward, hence it acts as a counter-acting ingredient. One is cold, the other is hot; the cold is treated directly, the hot is treated by following its nature, using heat to treat heat, following its nature and treating it, which is also called counter-treatment. Therefore, they can complement each other to achieve their effects. The Liver is located on the left, and the Lung is on the right. Zuo Jin (Left Metal) means allowing the metal command to operate on the left and pacify the Liver. 《Shan Bu》: This is a direct prescription for purging Liver fire. … Zuo Jin Wan uses only Coptis Chinensis as the monarch, following the principle of purging the child when the parent is in excess, to directly counteract the upward surging tendency; Evodia rutaecarpa seeks out similar substances, guiding fire downward, and also using its pungent and drying nature to open up Liver constraint and punish its defiance, hence it serves as an assistant. However, it is only suitable for cases where the Qi is indeed in excess and the Spleen is not deficient. Zuo Jin means that wood, which is on the left, is controlled by metal.

 【Functions】

Purge fire, soothe the Liver, harmonize the Stomach, stop pain.

 【Indications】

All syndromes of Liver fire, Liver constraint transforming into fire, distending pain in the hypochondrium, vomiting and acid regurgitation, belching and hiccups, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, aversion to warm drinks, red tongue with yellow coating, and a wiry and rapid pulse. 《Yi Fang》: (1) Treats pain in the left hypochondrium due to Liver fire dryness and excess, acid regurgitation, vomiting of acid, and hernia with stagnation. (2) Also treats anorexia with vomiting of ingested medicine. 《Shan Bu》: Treats Liver fire excess with distending pain in the left hypochondrium.

 【Contraindications】

Avoid raw, cold, spicy, and greasy foods. Pregnant women and those who are deficient and without heat should not take this medication.

 【Mnemonic】

(1) Coptis Chinensis root looks like strings of beads (lian zhu). (2) Yu Lian Wan. Evodia descends rebellious qi, Coptis purges fire, pacifies the Liver and harmonizes the Stomach, making Zuo Jin effective.

 【Modifications】

(1) For severe acid regurgitation, add cuttlefish bone to pacify the Liver, harmonize the Stomach, and control acidity. (2) For severe hypochondriac pain, add Si Ni San to enhance the function of soothing the Liver and harmonizing the Stomach. (3) If White Peony Root is added to this formula in equal dosage, and made into pills with paste, it becomes Wu Ji Wan (from 《He Ji Ju Fang》), which treats disharmony of the Liver and Spleen, stomach pain with acid vomiting, diarrhea, poor digestion, and heat diarrhea and dysentery. (4) If Costus Root is added to this formula, it becomes Xiang Lian Wan (from 《He Ji Ju Fang》), which treats damp-heat dysentery, chest and diaphragm stuffiness, red and white dysentery with tenesmus and abdominal pain.

 【Pharmacology】

It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.