Author: Wang Qing-Ren, 王清任
Year: 1830
Source: Correction of Errors Among Physicians (Yi Lin Gai Cuo , 醫林改錯)
Category: Formulas that Regulate Qi
Pattern: Sudden deafness due to emotional Liver constraint or Externally contracted condition
Key Symptoms: Acute severely diminished hearing where the patient "cannot even hear thunder"
Ingredients
Chai Hu
| 30g | |
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Pinyin: Chai Hu
Chinese: 柴胡
Pharmaceutical: Radix Bupleuri
Taxonomy: Bupleurum chinense seu scorzoneraefolium
English: Hare's Ear Root / Thorowax Root
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Tastes: Bitter, pungent, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen
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Actions & Indications:
- Resolves Shaoyang disorders and reduces fever (harmonizes the Exterior and Interior)
Shaoyang Stage with alternating chills and fever, a bitter taste,dizziness, tinnitus, flank pain, irritability, vomiting and a stifling sensation in the chest
Deficiency Heat (auxiliary)
Gallbladder Fire
- Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation
Liver Qi Stagnation with dizziness, vertigo, chest and flank pain, emotional instability and menstrual problems
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen with epigastric and flank pain, a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea and indigestion
Liver/Gallbladder Disharmony
- Raises Yang Qi (specifically the Clear Qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder)
Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency, Qi collapse (prolapse) with hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, bleeding or exhaustion
- Disperses Wind-Heat and resolves Phlegm and congestion
Wind-Heat
- Guides herbs to the Shaoyang aspects of the head
Shaoyang headaches
- Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: Up to 3g to raise sinking Qi, 6-9g to relieve Liver Qi stagnation, 12-24g to release the exterior.
Cautions: Anyone who has syndromes of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, stirring of liver wind, yin deficiency with effulgent fire and qi going upward adversely, this herb should be used with cautions. |
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Xiang Fu
| 30g | |
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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
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Actions & Indications:
- Spreads and regulates Liver Qi
Liver Qi Stagnation with hypochondriac pain and epigastric distention
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen/li>
- 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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Chuan Xiong
| 15g | | |
Pinyin: Chuan Xiong
Chinese: 川芎
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Ligusticum
Taxonomy: Ligusticum chuanxiong syn. striatum syn. wallichii
English: Sichuan Lovage root / Cnidium root
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Pericardium
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Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi
Blood Stasis, especially in gynecology with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor or retained lochia
Qi and Blood Stagnation with pain and soreness in the chest, flanks and hypochondria
- Expels Wind and alleviates pain
Externally contracted Wind with headache, dizziness or painful obstruction (Bi Syndrome) - especially useful for headaches due to Wind-Heat, Wind-Cold or Blood Deficiency (depending on the combination)
Wind skin disorders
- Relieves the symptoms of Gu Syndrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for headache due to Liver Yang rising or Yin deficiency with effulgent Fire because of its warm and dry properties.
Use with caution during pregnancy or in those who bruise or bleed easily.
May have synergistic effects in those taking anticoagulant drugs. |
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Preparation: Ground into powder and taken in 9g doses followed by warm water twice per day.
Actions: Spread and regulates the Liver Qi, opens the sensory orifices
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.