Source: Studies of the Imperial Medical Files of the Qing Dynasty
Category: Formulas that Calm the Spirit
Pattern: Qi disorders caused by emotional disturbance
Key Symptoms: Depression or irritability caused by disappointments in life.
Secondary Symptoms: Poor appetite, weight loss, stuffiness in the chest.
Pulse: Tight
Ingredients
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Xiang Fu
| 30g | |
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Pinyin: Xiang Fu
Chinese: 香附
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Cyperi
English: Nut-Grass Rhizome |
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Tastes: Pungent, slightly bitter and sweet, bland
Meridians Entered: Liver and Triple Energizer |
Actions & Indications:
- Spreads and regulates Liver Qi
Liver Qi Stagnation with hypochondriac pain and epigastric distention
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen
- Regulates menstruation and alleviates pain
Gynecological disorders due to Liver Qi Stagnation with dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation
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Standard Dosage: 6-10g in decoction.
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Fu Ling
| 120g | |
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Pinyin: Fu Ling
Chinese: 茯苓
Pharmaceutical: Poria
Taxonomy: Poria cocos syn. Wolfiporia extensa
English: China-Root / Hoelen / Tuckahoe / Indian Bread |
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Tastes: Sweet, bland, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Spleen, and Kidney |
Actions & Indications:
- Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Middle Jiao
Spleen Deficiency Dampness with anorexia, diarrhoea and epigastric distention
- Strengthens the Spleen
Phlegm Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency with thin mucus in which Phlegm moves upward manifesting as palpitations, headache, dizziness and a thick, greasy tongue coat
- Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness
Urinary difficulty, diarrhoea or oedema due to Stagnation of Fluids or Dampness
- Quiets the Heart, calms the Spirit and soothes the nerves
Palpitations, insomnia or forgetfulness due to either Spleen and Heart Insufficiency or Internal Obstruction of Turbid Phlegm
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, quiet the Hun, nourish the Shen, make one free from hunger 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: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for spermatorrhea due to deficiency-cold. |
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Hu Po
| 15g | | |
Pinyin: Hu Po
Chinese: 琥珀
Pharmaceutical: Succinum
English: Amber |
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Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Bladder |
Actions & Indications:
- Stops tremors and palpitations and calms the Spirit
Shen disturbance with palpitations with anxiety, excessive dreams, insomnia, forgetfulness, and seizures
Childhood convulsions and seizures due to Heart Blood Deficiency with Internal Wind
- Activates the Blood, dissipates Stasis and unblocks the menses
Amenorrhea or pain associated with palpable immobile masses due to Blood Stasis (can be used alone for this)
Coronary artery disease
- Promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction
Urinary retention or painful urinary dysfunction (especially bloody urine)
- Reduces swelling and promotes healing (topical)
Sores, carbuncles, and skin ulcerations
Swelling and pain of the scrotum or vulva
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Standard Dosage: 1.5-3g in powder or pills. Should not be decocted.
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Preparation: Ground into a fine powder and mixed with honey to make 9g pills taken with boiled water.
Actions: Regulates Qi and Calms the Shen
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.
