Author: Zong Xiao-Fan and Gary Liscum
Year: 1996
Source: Chinese Medicinal Teas
Category: Formulas that Tonify Qi
Pattern: Exterior Wind-Cold Invasion in persons with Interior Vacuity
Key Symptoms: Fever, aversion to cold and drafts, muscle aches, nasal congestion, cough, fatigue
Secondary Symptoms: Good preventative for elderly or weak individuals during flu season.
Ingredients
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Dang Shen
| 15g | |
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Pinyin: Dang Shen
Chinese: 党參
Pharmaceutical: Radix Codonopsis
Taxonomy: Codonopsis pilosula
English: Pilose Asiabell Root / Bonnet Bellflower Root / Poor Man's Ginseng / Bastard Ginseng |
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Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi
Any chronic illness due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Tonifies the Lungs
Lung Qi Deficiency with chronic coughing and shortness of breath
Copious sputum due to Spleen Qi Deficiency
- Restores the constitution and assists herbs that release the exterior or drain downward when there is significant Qi Deficiency
Supports the normal while other herbs expel pathogenic influences
- Nourishes the Blood and promotes the generation of Body Fluids
Deficiency of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids especially due to chronic illness
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
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Zi Su Ye
| 12g | | |
Pinyin: Zi Su Ye
Chinese: 紫苏叶
Pharmaceutical: Folium Perillae
English: Perilla Leaf |
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung, Spleen and Stomach |
Actions & Indications:
- Releases the Exterior and disperses Cold
Wind-Cold with fever, chills, headache, nasal congestion, cough or a stifling sensation in the chest (especially in older people)
- Promotes the movement of Spleen and Stomach Qi and Harmonizes the Middle Jiao
Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with nausea, vomiting, or anorexia
Intestinal gas
- Improves Lung function and expands the chest
Asthma
Chest distention
Cold induced wheezing
- Calms the fetus and alleviates morning sickness
Restless fetus and morning sickness
- Alleviates seafood poisoning Detoxifies any type of allergy
Seafood poisoning (fish and crab), used alone or in combination
- Releases the Exterior and Drives Out Snakes
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
One of the chief herbs for treating Gu Syndrome, along with Bo He and Bai Zhi, classed as "open the exterior with snake killing herbs" (Fruehauf, 1998).
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
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Preparation: Place the herbs in a teapot, pour in boiling water and let soak. Drink 1 packet per day.
Actions: Boosts the Qi and resolves the exterior
Notes:
While Zong and Liscum (1996) are the published source, the formulas they present are simple folk remedies and likely much older.
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.
