Author: Xue Ji, 薛己
Year: 1548
Source: Categorised Essentials of Repairing the Body (Zheng Ti Lei Yao, 正體類要)
Category: Formulas that Regulate Blood
Pattern: Blood stasis entering the Lungs
Key Symptoms: Dark facial complexion and hasty panting
Ingredients
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Ren Shen
| 6g | |
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Pinyin: Ren Shen
Chinese: 人參
Pharmaceutical: Radix Panax ginseng
Taxonomy: Panax ginseng
English: Ginseng Root |
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Lung and Heart |
Actions & Indications:
- Powerfully tonifies Yuan Qi
Extreme collapse of Qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating and an almost imperceptible pulse (after blood loss, overly profuse sweating or other problems related to severe fluid loss - it can be used alone in these emergencies)
Collapse of Yang
Collapse of Yin
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
Lethargy, anorexia, chest and abdominal distention, chronic diarrhoea and, in severe cases, prolapse of the Stomach, uterus or rectum
- Tonifies Lung Qi
Lung Qi Deficiency with wheezing, shortness of breath and labored breathing on exertion
- Generates Body Fluids and stops thirst
Wasting and thirsting disorder (消渴 Xiao Ke) and high fevers with profuse sweating which injures Qi and fluids
- Tonifies Heart Qi and calms the Spirit
Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency with palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness and restlessness
- Treats impotence
With Kidney Yang tonics for impotence
- Tonifies Qi in Deficiency patients with Exterior conditions
Exterior disorder with Interior Deficiency
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light and prolong life. 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).
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction, 10-30g for exhaustion syndrome due to Qi deficiency.
Cautions: Antagonizing to Li Lu; the warm nature of sun-dried raw Ren Shen is weaker than that of Hong Shen. |
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Su Mu
| 12g | | |
Pinyin: Su Mu
Chinese: 苏木
Pharmaceutical: Lignum Sappan
English: Sappan Wood / Indian Redwood |
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Tastes: Sweet, salty, pungent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates Blood circulation, dispels Blood Stasis, reduces swellings, opens the channels and alleviates pain
Blood Stasis such as postpartum abdominal pain and amenorrhea Pain and swelling due to Blood Stasis from fall, fractures, contusions or sprains
- Stops bleeding
Excessive postpartum bleeding
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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Preparation: Decoction.
Actions: Invigorates Blood and stops bleeding.
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.
