Insights and Updates

Lixiao Dan comes from Liang Peng Hui Ji (A Collection for Good Companions). It consists of Aiye (mugwort leaf) 2 liang (60 g), Congtou (scallion whites) 1.5 liang (45 g), and Shengjiang (fresh ginger) 1.5 liang (45 g). Mash the above together, wrap in cloth,…

Shugan Sanyu Tang comes from Dan Tai Yu An (Jade Table of the Cinnabar Terrace) by the Ming physician Sun Wenyin. It consists of Danggui (angelica), Honghua (safflower), Sumu (sappanwood), Qingpi (green tangerine peel), and Chaihu (bupleurum) each 1 qian (3 g), Shanzha (hawthorn) 2…

Chuanxiong (Sichuan lovage rhizome) is called "the qi medicinal within the blood" in TCM and excels at treating headache and dizziness. Paired with different medicinals, it forms different formulas with different effects. By studying how chuanxiong combines with various medicinals, we can deepen our understanding…

Kuaiwei Shugan Wan comes from Selected Formulas of Beijing Chinese Patent Medicines. It consists of Pianjianghuang (curcuma zedoaria slices) 48 g, Wuyao (lindera) 96 g, Baishao (white peony) 120 g, Houpo (magnolia bark, processed) 480 g, Jupi (tangerine peel) 120 g, Chenxiang (aquilaria/agarwood) 90 g,…

Zaoren Dihuang Tang comes from Hui Yue Yi Jing (Medical Mirror of Returning). It is made by boiling 30 g of Suanzaoren (sour jujube seed), 15 g of Shudihuang (processed rehmannia root), and about 50 g of rice together into a porridge. When the porridge…

In the Ming-dynasty physician Fang Guang's work Danxi Xin Fa Fu Yu (Supplement to the Core Traditions of Danxi), there is a formula called "Shenxian Duoming Dan" (Divine Life-Saving Pill). It consists of 13 wumei (smoked plums, soaked in water, pit removed), naosha (sal ammoniac)…

Qi Fu Tang (Astragalus-Aconite Decoction) comes from Wei's Family-Secret Formulas (Wei Shi Jia Cang Fang). It consists of Fuzi (processed aconite) 2 qian (6 g, fired, peel removed) and Huangqi (astragalus) 1 qian (3 g, honey-fried or processed with brine). Grind the aconite and astragalus…

Waitai Miyao (Essentials from the Medical Heart) quotes a formula called Xie Fei Tang (Lung-Purging Decoction) from Xuangan Chuan Shi Fang (The Mysterious Transmission Corpse-Invocating Formula). It consists of Tinglizi (descurainia/lepidium seed) 3 qian (9 g, stir-fried over low heat until purplish, pounded into a…

Dear WeChat friends and readers of my blog and official account: the number of contacts on my work WeChat has recently reached its maximum limit. Starting now, some new readers who wish to consult me about tumor issues cannot add me, so I have to…

Danggui Niantong Tang is from Yixue Qiyuan. It consists of: Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma) 15 g, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 9 g, Shengma (Cimicifgae Rhizoma) 3 g, Gegen (Puerariae Radix) 6 g, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 3 g, Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) 9 g, Dangguishen (Angelicae Sinensis body)…