Source: Shen-nong.com (http://www.shen-nong.com/chi/treatment/herbalbaths.html)
Category: Formulas that are Applied Externally
Pattern: Insomnia due to Qi Stagnation agitating the Shen
Key Symptoms: Insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, palpitations, forgetfulness, restlessness, irritability
Ingredients
| Mo Li Hua | 15g | |
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Mei Gui Hua
| 9g | |
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Pinyin: Mei Gui Hua
Chinese: 玫瑰花
Pharmaceutical: Flos Rosae Rugosae
English: Rose Flower |
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Promotes the movement of Qi and relieves Stagnation
Liver-Stomach disharmony with a stifling sensation in the chest, pain and distention in the flanks and epigastrium, belching and anorexia
- Moves Qi, harmonizes the Blood, disperses Stasis and regulates menstruation
Irregular menstruation, premenstrual breast tenderness and menstrual pain due to Blood Stasis
Blood Stasis due to trauma
- Soothes the Liver, controls pain and astringes diarrhoea
Neurotic gastritis, chronic gastritis, hepatitis
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
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Fu Shen
| 15g | |
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Pinyin: Fu Shen
Chinese: 茯神
Pharmaceutical: Poria cum Radix Pini
Taxonomy: Poria cocos syn. Wolfiporia extensa et Pinus spp.
English: China-Root Core with Tree Bark |
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Tastes: Sweet, mild, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- 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
Shen disturbance
Restless Heart
- 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
Fluid Stagnation
- Calms the Spirit agitated by Dampness from Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of difficult urination due to kidney deficiency or spermatorrhea due to deficiency-cold. |
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Xiang Fu
| 15g | | |
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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Preparation: Shatter the ingredients and place in a muslin bag. Either add to the bath directly or for better results decoct and add the decoction. The water temperature should be about 38-42°C. Soak for 30 minutes.
Actions: Calms the Shen and regulates Qi
Contraindications: Herbal baths are not suitable for children, the elderly or seriously ill people. It is also not recommended for individuals who have a tendency to bleed easily, or who have heart, lung and kidney problems.
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.
