Author: Shen Yuan, 沈源

Year: 1786

Source: Collection of Strange Conditions (Qi Zheng Hui, 奇症匯)

Category: Formulas that Open the Sensory Orifices

Pattern: Strange Disease (奇症 Qi Zheng) obstructing the Kidneys due to contact with foul-smelling Xie Qi.

Key Symptoms: Blackened face and fear of dying.
Secondary Symptoms: The original story recounts a man who was repeatedly assailed by a foul odour while in the toilet. The next day his face went completely black. A face reader told him he would die within a month. When a month passed and nothing happened he approached Sun Zhao who prescribed this formula.

Ingredients

Subsitutions:
Chen Xiang is often substituted due to its expense. Ding Xiang (clove) may make a suitable pairing in this instance due to it being one of the few aromatic herbs that also enters the Spleen, Stomach and Kidneys, has indications for regulating the Middle Jiao and warming the Kidneys, plus it is indicated for other Strange Diseases such as Gu Syndrome. Sandalwood and clove are also a common pairing in perfumes so harmonise well.

Preparation: The herbs are broken into small pieces and placed in a stove inside a small makeshift tent and burnt to fume. The patient is told to sit upright inside the tent with his eyes closed until the fume has burnt out.

In modern preparations, essential oils could also be considered, although ideally not in steam diffusion which may increase the water excess indicated by the dark face. Direct application of a diluted blend onto Renzhong Du-26 might be a more convenient and long-term solution to a more chronic case of this type.

Actions: Open the Orifices and expel Xie Qi affecting the Kidneys.