Herb Formulas Notebook

Fu Zi Tang

Aconite Decoction


Author: Zhang Zhong-Jing, 張仲景

Year: c. 220

Source: Discussion of Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun, 傷寒論)


Category: Formulas that Expel Dampness

Pattern: Yang deficiency with Internal Cold-Dampness in the Interior and obstruscting the Channels

Key Symptoms: Generalised body pain, aching of bones and joints, aversion to cold, especially at the back, cold extremities, no thirst
Secondary Symptoms: Also used for abdominal distention and pain that is cool to the touch with aversion to cold and fever during late pregnancy.

Tongue: White slippery coating
Pulse: Submerged, faint and forceless or choppy and slow (first presentation). Wiry (second presentation).


Ingredients

Bao Fu Zi 12-18g (2pc)
Bai Zhu 12g
Ren Shen 6g
Fu Ling 9g
Bai Shao 9g

Subsitutions:
In the UK Fu Zi must be substituted. Rou Gui and Xian Mao are the standard choice for joint pain and Rou Gui and Gan Jiang for abdominal pain.


Preparation: Decoction. The source text advises using 8 cups of water and boiling until 3 remain, then straining, dividing into 3 doses and taking them during the course of 1 day. The Fu Zi is decocoted for 30-60 minutes before the other herbs until no numbing sensation of the tongue can be tasted.


Actions: Warms the Channels, assists the Yang, dispels Cold, transforms Dampness



Notes:
One liang is taken as 3g in modern sources but in Eastern Han times it was equivalent to 13.875g. This means that the dosages in classical formulae could have been more than 4x what is given today making them far higher than recommended safe dosages today but prompts consideration of what an effective dose may be (He, 2013).



Research Links:



Reference Notes: (click to display)

These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.