Author: Zhang Cong-Zheng / Zi-He, 張從正 / 張子和
Year: 1228
Source: Confucians' Duties to Their Parents (Ru Men Shi Qin, 儒們事親)
Category: Formulas that Drain Downward
Pattern: Yang oedema from invasion of water-Dampness
Key Symptoms: Generalised floating oedema, abdominal distention, wheezing and fullness, constipation, urinary difficulty
Secondary Symptoms: Swelling and distention of the scrotum accompanied by a sensation of heaviness and pain, dampness, sweating, reduced urination
Pulse: Submerged and forceful
Abdomen: Distended
Ingredients
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Qian Niu Zi
| 120g | |
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Pinyin: Qian Niu Zi
Chinese: 牵牛子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Pharbitidis
English: Morning Glory Seeds |
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Tastes: Bitter, Cold, Toxic
Meridians Entered: Large Intestine, Lung, and Kidney |
Actions & Indications:
- Drives out water through the urine and stool
Edema and ascites from Stagnation of pathogenic water or Dampness
Constipation due to Heat accumulation in the Stomach and Intestines
Can be used as a stand-alone herb
- Descends Lung Qi and drives out Phlegm and thin mucus (Tan Yin)
Thin mucus obstructing the Lungs with cough, wheezing and a sensation of fullness in the chest and abdomen
- Unblocks the bowels and removes Damp-Heat
Constipation due to accumulation and Stagnation of Damp-Heat or Food Stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines (reduce the dosage)
- Expels intestinal parasites and reduces Stagnation
Tapeworm or roundworm infestation Food Stagnation
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Standard Dosage: 3-9g in decoction, 1.5-3g in powders or pills.
Cautions: It is contraindicated to pregnancy, and incompatible with Ba Dou. |
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Xiao Hui Xiang
| 30g | | (dry fried) |
Pinyin: Xiao Hui Xiang
Chinese: 小茴香
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Foeniculi
Taxonomy: Foeniculum vulgare
English: Fennel Seed |
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver, Kidney, Spleen and Stomach |
Actions & Indications:
- Warms the Liver and Kidneys, expels Cold and alleviates pain
Cold in the Lower Jiao with lower abdominal pain
Cold Invading the Liver Channel with Cold bulging disorders
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Stomach
Stomach Cold with abdominal pain, indigestion, reduced appetite and vomiting
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Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
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Preparation: Ground into fine powder taken in 3g doses mixed with fresh ginger juice or water, two to three times per day.
Actions: Expels water, unblocks the bowels, moves the Qi, reduces oedema
Contraindications: Caution in pregnancy, elderly or debilitated patients
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.
