Author: Chen Shi-Gong, 陳實功
Year: 1617
Source: Orthodox Lineage of External Medicine (Wai Ke Zheng Zong, 外科正宗)
Category: Formulas that are Applied Externally
Pattern: Sore throat or mouth disorders from long term Phlegm-Fire cough
Key Symptoms: Sore swollen throat, swelling or pain in the gums, mouth sores, external ear infections
Ingredients
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Bing Pian
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Bing Pian
Chinese: 冰片
Pharmaceutical: Borneolum
Taxonomy: Dryobalanops aromatica
English: Borneol Camphor |
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Lung |
Actions & Indications:
- Aromatically opens the Orifices, revives the Spirit and unblocks closed disorders
Impaired consciousness fainting and convulsions
- Clears Heat, drains Fire, resolves toxicity, clears the eyes and removes superficial visual obstructions
Heat leading to headache, red and swollen eyes, superficial visual obstruction and sores in the mouth
- Clears Heat, alleviates pain, dissipates nodules and alleviates itching
Topically for pain and swelling of the throat, skin diseases such as sores and scabies, and eye diseases such as photophobia and excessive tearing
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Standard Dosage: 0.1-0.3g in powder or pills for internal use. Should not be decocted.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for pregnant women.
Mineral 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. While natural Bing Pian is a crystalised tree resin, the Dryobalanops aromatica is critically endangered making genuine Bing Pian expensive and morally questionable. Most Bing Pian is therefore synthetically made and not suitable for consumption. It is generally substituted with Shi Chang Pu and Yuan Zhi where possible. |
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| Xuan Ming Fen | 15g | |
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Zhu Sha
| 1.8g | |
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Pinyin: Zhu Sha
Chinese: 朱砂
Pharmaceutical: Cinnabaris
Taxonomy: HgS
English: Cinnabar / Vermilion / Mercury (II) Sulfide / 丹 Dan / 朱雀 Zhu Que (Red Raven) |
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Tastes: Sweet, cold, toxic
Meridians Entered: Heart |
Actions & Indications:
- Sedates the Heart and calms the Spirit
Restlessness, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and convulsions associated with a disturbed Spirit
Heart Fire (with appropriate herbs)
Phlegm Fire Disturbs the Heart (with appropriate herbs)
Heart Blood Deficiency (with appropriate herbs)
- Expels Phlegm and sedates jitteriness and convulsions while stopping tremors
Seizures, childhood convulsions and other problems due to Phlegm-Heat Blocking the Pericardium and Heart
Wind-Phlegm dizziness
Lung Heat
- Clears Heat, relieves toxicity and prevents putrefaction
Topically for carbuncles, mouth sores, sore throat and snakebite
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, enable one to communicate with the spirit light (Shenming) and prevent senility. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生) and spiritual practice.
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Standard Dosage: No dosage is permissible due to mercury toxicity. 0.1-0.5g in powder or pills is traditional.
Cautions: Prohibited from use today due to its mercury content, it is generally omitted or substituted with Hu Po. Historically it was sometimes confused with Xue Jie, so this could also make a potential substitute in the right circumstances.
Zhao, Li & Wang (2022) claim that grinding and washing was a traditional method of removing the toxicity but any amount of mercury toxicity is unacceptable today.
Traditional contraindications include overdose and taking for a long period of time, or calcinification. |
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Peng Sha
| 15g | | |
Pinyin: Peng Sha
Chinese: 硼砂
Pharmaceutical: Borax
Taxonomy: Na2[B4O5(OH)4]
English: Borax |
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Tastes: Sweet, salty, cool
Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach |
Actions & Indications:
- Relieves toxicity and prevents putrefication
Pain and swelling of the throat, open sores in the mouth, white, draining vaginal lesions (internally and topically)
- Resolves toxicity, reduces swellings and treats the eyes
Red, swollen and painful eyes and superficial visual obstruction. Can be used alone
- Clears Heat and dissolves Phlegm
Hot Phlegm obstruction with difficult-to-expectorate sputum (internal)
- Dries Dampness and transforms stones
Blisters between the toes (Dampness) Painful urinary dysfunction with stones
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Standard Dosage: 1.5-3g as powder or pills for internal use.
Cautions: It is mostly indicated for external application. Ir should be used with cautions for internal application. |
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Subsitutions:
Zhu Sha is normally omitted from this formula due to its toxicity.
Several other ingredients in this formula might be hard to use in the UK due to being mineral products. Although these may come under cosmetic regulation which covers topical application to mucus membranes (EU Cosmetics Regulation No. 1223/2009, art.2), small amounts are likely to be swallowed potentially making it a medicine under the Medicines Act (1968) for which herbal practitioners are only allowed to work with plants.
Preparation: Ground into fine powder with Bing Pian added near the end and stored inan airtight container. Traditionally blown into the throat or ear or applied directly to the mouth. Currently often applied using spray bottles or a moist cotton ball for mouth sores. 0.03-0.1g are applied 4-6 times daily.
Actions: Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, dispels putrescence, reduces swelling, relieves pain
Contraindications: Only the natural form of Bing Pian should be used as small amount may be ingested if used in the mouth and throat. Some action should be taken to ensure there is no contamination with bacteria if it is to be applied to mucus membranes.
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.
