Author: Zhu Dan-Xi, 朱丹溪
Year: 1732
Source: Essential Teachings of Dan-Xi (Dan Xi Xin Fa, 丹溪心法)
Category: Formulas that Regulate Blood
Pattern: Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis in the epigastrium or abdomen
Key Symptoms: Epigastric and abdominal pain
Ingredients
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Yan Hu Suo
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Pinyin: Yan Hu Suo / Xuan Hu Suo
Chinese: 延胡索 / 玄胡索
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Corydalis
Taxonomy: Corydalis yanhusuo seu ambigua seu glaucescens seu repens seu ternata seu turtschaninovii
English: Corydalis Rhizome |
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver, Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Chest and rib-side pain
pain in stomach duct and abdomen, gastrointestinal spasm
neuralgia
Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis stagnation abdominal pain
Neuralgia
Painful swelling from knocks and
falls
- Promotes sleep
Insomnia
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Avoid in pregnancy. |
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Wu Ling Zhi
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Pinyin: Wu Ling Zhi
Chinese: 五灵脂
Pharmaceutical: Faeces Trogopterori
English: Flying Squirrel Feces |
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Tastes: Sweet, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis and alleviates pain
Blood Stasis with amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and epigastric pain
- Transforms Stasis and stops bleeding
Uterine bleeding and retained lochia due to Blood Stasis
- Treats childhood nutritional impairment
Childhood nutritional impairment with focal distention
- Eliminates toxins
Internally and topically for various insect and snake bites
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should not be used with Ren Shen and it is contraindicated to pregnant women.
Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Yan Hu Suo and Lian Fang. |
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Cao Guo
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Pinyin: Cao Guo
Chinese: 草果
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Tsaoko
Taxonomy: Amomum tsao-ko syn. Lanxangia tsaoko
English: Black Cardamom / Greater Cardamom / Tsaoko Fruit |
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach |
Actions & Indications:
- Strongly dries Dampness, warms the Middle Jiao and disperses Cold
Cold-Dampness Obstructing the Spleen and Stomach with epigastric and abdominal distention, fullness and pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and a greasy tongue coat
- Alleviates malarial disorders
Alternating fever and chills due to Cold-Dampness or Turbid-Dampness associated with malarial disorders
- Dissolves Stagnation and distention
Indigestion due to meat Stagnation
Distention and nausea due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold
- Removes Phlegm
Phlegm Obstructing the Middle Jiao
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Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
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Mo Yao
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Pinyin: Mo Yao
Chinese: 沒藥
Pharmaceutical: Resina Commiphorae
Taxonomy: Commiphora mukul
English: Myrrh |
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Tastes: Pungent, Bitter, Neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, alleviates pain and reduces swelling
Blood Stasis with pain from trauma, sores, carbuncles, swellings, fixed abdominal masses, painful obstruction, chest pain, abdominal pain and amenorrhea
- Generates flesh and promotes healing
Chronic non-healing sores
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decocotion.
Cautions: Like Ru Xiang this herb is drastically pungent with strong stimulation to stomach and easily causes nausea and vomiting. It should not be taken by large dose or for a long time. Use with cautions for patients with weak stomach; prohibited for pregnant women. |
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Subsitutions:
In the UK Wu Ling Zhi must be substituted. The standard replacement is Yan Hu Suo and Lian Fang but since Yan Hu Suo is already in the formula Pu Huang and Lian Fang might be a better combination.
Preparation: Grind equal amounts into a poweder and take in 6g doses with water.
Actions: Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain
Research Links:
Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.
