Posts Tagged Herbal Formulas

Comparison Ding Chuan Tang “Arrest wheezing decoction” and Xiao Qing Long Tang “Minor bluegreen dragon decoction”

January 14, 2012 at 10:29 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged , ,

Ding Chuan Tang “Arrest wheezing decoction” and Xiao Qing Long Tang “Minor bluegreen dragon decoction” both treat conditions characterized by wind-cold invasion at the exterior and obstruction or accumulation in the interior.

Ding Chuan Tang is used to treat wheezing and dyspnea due to exterior wind-cold and interior phlegm heat. Patients suffering from this syndrome usually already have abundant phlegm that is thick, sticky and yellow. When the wind-cold attacks and constricts the Lung, the descending and dispersing functions of the Lung may be further inhibited, causing phlegm stagnation and heat. A yellow, greasy tongue coating and slippery, rapid pulse both indicate heat and phlegm accumulation in the body.

Ingredients: Ma Huang, chief, releases exterior wind-cold, ventilates the Lung. Bai Guo, eliminates phlegm and astringes Lung Qi. Zi Su Zi, Ku Xing Ren, Ban Xia and Kuan Dong Hua, eliminate phlegm and direct the reversed flow of qi downwards. Sang Bai Pi and Huang Qin clear Lung heat. Gan Cao harmonizes the herbs.

Xiao Qing Long Tang treats conditions characterized by wind-cold invasion at the exterior and water accumulation in the interior. Water retention in the chest causes a stifling sensation in the chest and the inability to breath properly when lying in a horizontal position. Diagnostic signs for selecting this formula include profuse, clear or white nasal discharge or sputum, with aversion to cold, absence of sweating, dyspnea or cough with a white tongue coating. There should be no signs and symptoms of heat. Aversion to cold, fever, and absence of perspiration are caused by the wind-cold factor at the exterior. Cough, dyspnea and wheezing are the result of reversed flow of Lung qi, which is secondary to wind-cold attack and phlegm accumulation. Profuse, watery sputum, heaviness and pain of the body, swollen face and extremities, and a white, slippery tongue coating all suggest water accumulation and the failure of the Lung to metabolize water. The superficial pulse indicates that the disease is located at the exterior.

Common ingredients: Ma Huang, Ban Xia.

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Comparison Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang “Perilla fruit decotion for directing qi downward” and Ding Chuan Tang “Arrest wheezing decoction”

January 14, 2012 at 10:05 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang “Perilla fruit decoction for directing qi downward” and Ding Chuan Tang “Arrest wheezing decoction” are formulas indicated for respiratory problems with rebellious Lung qi.

Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is indicated for respiratory problems characterized by upper excess and lower deficiency. Upper excess refers to phlegm accumulation in the Lung, affecting the flow of Lung qi and causing feelings of fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm. Lower deficiency refers to deficiency of Kidney yang. Under normal conditions, the Kidney assists Lung qi to descend. However, when Kidney yang is deficient, the Lung qi may no longer be able to descend properly, and wheezing or shortness of breath may occur. Clinically, inhalation will be shorter than exhalation. Also, Kidney deficiency may result in back pain and leg weakness. Moreover, edema may occur because Kidney yang is no longer able to regulate water metabolism, leaving the fluids to accumulate and form edema in the extremities, especially the lower limbs.

Ingredients:

  • Zi Su Zi, chief, directs Lung qi downward, eliminates phlegm, and relieves coughing and wheezing.
  • Ban Xia, Hou Po and Qian Hu eliminate phlegm and relieve coughing and wheezing.
  • Rou Gui warms Kidney yang.
  • Dang Gui, nourishes blood to balance the acrid and drying herbs.
  • Sheng Jiang and Zi Su Ye disperse cold and ventilate Lung.
  • Gan Cao and Da Zao harmonize the herbs.

The primary emphasis of this formula is upper excess, which is treated with four herbs: Zi Su Zi, Ban Xia, Hou Po and Qian Hu. Together, these four herbs direct Lung Qi downwards, eliminate phlegm and relieve coughing and wheezing. The secondary focus is lower deficiency, which is addressed with only one herb, Rou Gui, that warms the Kidney yang. By warming and tonifying Kidney, Rou Gui enables the Kidney to grasp qi, pull it downward and facilitate inhalation.

Ding Chuan Tang is one of the most commonly used formulas to treat wheezing and dyspnea due to exterior wind-cold and interior phlegm heat. Patients suffering from this syndrome usually already have abundant phlegm that is thick, sticky and yellow. When the wind-cold attacks and constricts the Lung, the descending and dispersing functions of the Lung may be further inhibited, causing phlegm stagnation and heat. A yellow, greasy tongue coating and slippery, rapid pulse both indicate heat and phlegm accumulation in the body.

Ingredients:

  • Ma Huang, chief, releases exterior wind-cold, ventilates the Lung.
  • Bai Guo, eliminates phlegm and astringes Lung Qi.
  • Zi Su Zi, Ku Xing Ren, Ban Xia and Kuan Dong Hua, eliminate phlegm and direct the reversed flow of qi downwards.
  • Sang Bai Pi and Huang Qin clear Lung heat.
  • Gan Cao harmonizes the herbs.

Common ingredients in both formulas: Zi Su Zi, Ban Xia and Gan Cao.

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Comparison Tian Tai Wu Yao San “Top-Quality Lindera Powder” and Nuan Gan Jian “Warm the Liver Decoction”

January 14, 2012 at 6:06 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged , ,

Tian Tai Wu Yao San “Top-Quality Lindera Powder” and Nuan Gan Jian “Warm the Liver Decoction” are two formulas commonly used in the treatment of hernia.

Tian Tai Wu Yao San is designed to treat hernia of the small intestine with pain and swelling of the testicles due to cold accumulation on the Liver channel with qi stagnation (mainly excess condition). It activates qi circulation and spreads Liver qi, disperses cold and stops pain. Ingredients: Wu Yao, Mu Xiang, Xiao Hui Xiang, Qing Pi, Gao Liang, Bing Lang, Chuan Lian Zi and Ba Dou.

Nuan Gan Jian is designed to treat hernia caused by cold of the Liver and Kidney, and treats both the root (deficiency) and manifestation (excess). Effective treatment of this syndrome requires warming and tonifying the Liver and Kidney to address the root or cause, deficiency, and activating qi circulation and dispelling cold to relieve the symptoms or manifestation (cold hernial pain). The chief herbs Rou Gui and Xiao Hui Xiang (warm the Kidney and Liver to dispel cold) work together with the deputies Dang Gui and Gou Qi Zi (nourish Liver and Kidney) to treat the root or deficiency.

Common ingredients: Wu Yao (activates qi, spreads Liver qi, disperses cold to relieve pain) and Xiao Hui Xiang (activate qi circulation, disperse stagnation, dispel cold).

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Comparison Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang “Immature Bitter Orange, Chinese Chive, and Cinnamon Twig Decoction”, Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang “Trichosanthes Fruit, Chinese Chive, and Wine Decoction” and Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang “Trichosanthes Fruit, Chinese Chive, and Pinellia Decoction”

January 11, 2012 at 10:55 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang, Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang and Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang all relieve xiong bi (painful obstruction of the chest) by unblocking yang, dispersing stagnation, activating qi circulation, and dispelling phlegm. Their common herbs are Gua Lou and Xie Bai.

Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang more strongly unblocks yang and dispels interior cold. It is used primarily for severe cases of xiong bi caused by stagnation of qi and phlegm. Ingredients: Zhi Shi, Hou Po, Xie Bai, Gui Zhi, Gua Lou. Symptoms: angina pectoris, belching, fullness of the chest, fullness of the epigastrium, intercostal neuralgia, oppression of the chest, precordial pain.

Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang has a milder function of activating yang and dispelling phlegm, and therefore is more suitable for mild xiong bi. Ingredients: Gua Lou, Xie Bai, Grain-based liquor. Symptoms: angina pectoris, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic pulmonary congestion, intercostal neuralgia.

Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang more strongly dispels phlegm and relieves stagnation, and therefore is more suitable for the treatment of xiong bi caused by severe phlegm stagnation, in which severe chest fullness and pain radiate to the back and disturb sleep. Ingredients: Gua Lou, Xie Bai, Ban Xia, Grain-based liquor. Symptoms: angina pectoris, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic pulmonary congestion, intercostal neuralgia, breast nodules, breast tumors, coronary disease.

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Comparison Liang Fu Wan “Galangal and Cyperus Pill” and Jin Ling Zi San “Melia Toosendan Powder”

January 11, 2012 at 10:26 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Liang Fu Wan and Jin Ling Zi San both regulate qi and soothe the liver, but there are some differences in their actions and indications:

Liang Fu Wan also warms the middle jiao, and focuses on treating the Spleen and Liver. It activates qi circulation, soothes the Liver, dispels cold, and stops pain. It is designed to treat epigastric pain and vomiting caused by Liver qi or cold invading the Stomach. Clinical manifestations include epigastric pain, vomiting, and sometimes chest and hypochondriac pain.

Jin Ling Zi San also activates blood circulation and alleviates pain. It regulates qi, soothes the Liver, activates blood circulation and stops pain. It is the basic formula for treatment of various types of pain caused by Liver qi stagnation that has led to the formation of heat. It is the key formula used to treat hypochondriac pain caused by Liver qi stagnation turning into Liver fire. It is also an excellent formula for treating pain associated with duct obstruction, such as gallstones or kidney stones. A bitter taste in the mouth, red tongue body, a yellow tongue coating, and a wiry, rapid pulse indicate that the qi stagnation has created interior heat.

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Comparison Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang “Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle” and Liang Fu Wan “Galangal and Cyperus Pill”

January 10, 2012 at 9:18 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang and Liang Fu Wan both warm the middle jiao, regulate qi, and relieve pain.

Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang emphasizes warming the middle jiao, dispelling cold, and drying dampness. This formula treats both Spleen and Stomach. Dampness has a sticky and greasy character, while cold is constricting and stagnating by nature. Combined, these factors slow the circulation of qi and disrupt the ascending and descending functions of the Spleen and the Stomach. As a result, abdominal fullness and pain, poor appetite, and lethargy manifest. Because the emphasis of this formula is on warming the middle jiao, it is also effective in treating nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain resulting from cold invading the Stomach.

Liang Fu Wan also warms the middle jiao and regulates qi, but focuses on treating the Spleen and Liver. It activates qi circulation, soothes the Liver, dispels cold, and stops pain. It is designed to treat epigastric pain and vomiting caused by Liver qi or cold invading the Stomach. Clinical manifestations include epigastric pain, vomiting, and sometimes chest and hypochondriac pain.

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Yue Ju Wan “Escape restraint Pill”

January 10, 2012 at 8:56 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Yue Ju Wan is the basic formula for treating the six stagnations. In this syndrome, qi stagnation is the primary condition, and stagnation of blood, phlegm, food, dampness and fire stagnations is the secondary condition. “Yue Ju”, figuratively means “to overcome an obstacle”, and thus refers to the ability of this formula to help the body escape the restrained qi. Once qi flows smoothly, other stagnations will slowly be resolved.

Yue Ju Wan contains five herbs to treat six stagnations: Xiang Fu activates qi circulation, Chuan Xiong invigorates blood, Zhi Zi clears fire, Cang Zhu dries dampness, and Shen Qu eliminates food stagnation. Since phlegm is formed secondary to the stagnations of qi, blood, dampness and food, phlegm will also be resolved when other stagnations are eliminated. However, if needed for more acute or severe conditions, herbs that transform phlegm may be added, such as Ban Xia.

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Su He Xiang Wan “Liquid Styrax Pill”

January 8, 2012 at 4:39 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Su He Xiang Wan contains substances that are warm in temperature, can regulate qi, transform phlegm, penetrate turbidity and open the orificies. It is used for cold type disorders. It is the representative formula for treating cold “bi zheng” (closed disorder) syndrome, caused by stagnation of cold, qi and phlegm.

Ingredients:

10 Xiang herbs: Su He Xiang, She Xiang, An Xi Xiang, Qing Mu Xiang, Tan Xiang, Chen Xiang, Ru Xiang, Ding Xiang, Xiang Fu, Bing Pian.

And: Bi Bo, Xi Jiao, Zhu Sha, Bai Zhu, He Zi.

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Comparison An Gong Niu Huang Wan “Calm the Palace Pill with Cattle Gallstone”, Zi Xue Dan “Purple Snow Special Pill”, and Zhi Bao Dan “Greatest Treasure Special Pill”

January 8, 2012 at 4:35 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Zi Xue Dan and Zhi Bao Dan are commonly referred to as “San Bao (Three Treasures)”, as these are three of the most commonly used formulas to treat hot “bi zheng” (closed disorder).

An Gong Niu Huang is the coldest of the three formulas. It is most potent in clearing heat and eliminating toxins.

Zi Xue Dan is most effective to calm Liver wind in treating seizures, epilepsy, and convulsions.

Zhi Bao Dan is mostly aromatic, and is best for opening sensory orifices to treat unconsciousness due to obstruction of phlegm and heat.

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Comparison Ding Zhi Wan “Settle Emotions Pill” and Gui Pi Tang “Restore the Spleen decoction”

January 8, 2012 at 4:27 pm · Filed under Herbal Formulas ·Tagged ,

Both formulas nourish the Heart and calm the Shen to treat palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia and associated symptoms and signs. Ding Zhi Wan focus con Heart qi deficiency. Gui Pi Tang tonifies qi and blood of Heart and Spleen, and is designed for individuals who worry excessively, leading to qi and blood deficiencies of the Spleen and Heart. In addition to tranquilizing herbs such as Suan Zao Ren, Fu Shen, Long Yan Rou and Yuan Zhi, Gui Pi Tang contains Spleen tonic herbs such as Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu and Gan Cao.

Common ingredients: Ren Shen, Fu Shen.

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