Insights and Updates

The Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) records an external formula called Tuo Zhong Fang (Swelling-Topicalizing Formula). It is composed of equal parts: Dahuang (Rhubarb), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Bailian (Ampelopsis), and Mangxiao (Mirabilite). Cut the herbs into pieces, boil in 600 ml of water…

Yannian Duanhan Tang (Longevity Sweat-Stopping Decoction) comes from the Weishi Jiyaofang (Mr. Wei's Family Prescriptions). It is composed of equal parts: Huangqi (honey-fried Astragalus), Renshen (Ginseng), Fuling (Poria), Baishao (White Peony), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Zhi Gancao (honey-fried Licorice), and Muli Fen (Oyster Shell Powder). Grind…

You rule the city, I rule the mountains. — Line from the film Rambo: First Blood First Blood was the first movie I ever saw. I remember one Children's Day, a mobile film team came to our village hall and showed that very film starring…

Waike Zhengzong (Orthodox Manual of External Medicine) records Maidong Pingfei Yin (Ophiopogon Lung-Calming Drink), a formula for "lung abscess" (feiyong), derived from Maidong Qingfei Yin in the Zazbing Yuanliu Xizhu (Roots and Branches of Miscellaneous Diseases). Its composition is: Renshen (Ginseng), Maimendong (Ophiopogon), Chishao (Red…

In July, streetsides across Beijing are full of pagoda-tree (Huaihua) blossoms. When the wind blows, the blossoms fall like rain. Pedestrians walking along avenues lined with Chinese scholar trees end up with blossoms on their hair and clothing. Pagoda-tree blossoms carry a faint, delicate fragrance;…

Xiegan Jiangwei Tang (Liver-Draining and Stomach-Descending Decoction) comes from Zhang Xichun's Yixue Zhongzhong Canxi Lu (Records of Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine). Its composition is: raw Daizheshi (Hematitum) 8 qian (24 g), raw Hang Baishao (Hangzhou White Peony) 1 liang (30 g), raw Shijueming (Haliotidis…

The Yixue Rumen (Introduction to Medicine) records a very simple formula for cough with copious phlegm called Ju Gan San (Tangerine-Licorice Powder). It consists of: Jupi (Tangerine Peel, white pith removed; commercial Chenpi may be used) 4 liang (120 g), Zhi Gancao (honey-fried Licorice) 1…

Case 1: A 57-year-old woman surnamed Yu, a Beijing resident, first consulted me by video on May 10, 2024. The patient had long favored meat but had switched to a light diet over the past five years, and three months earlier had begun a low-fat,…

The "Gujin Yitong" (Comprehensive Records of Medicine, Ancient and Modern) records a formula named "Jiedai San." Its composition is: Danggushen (Angelica Body) 1.5 qian (4.5g), Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage) 8 fen (2.4g), Baishao (White Peony, wine-fried) and Baizhu (Atractylodes, stir-fried) each 1.2 qian (3.6g), Cangzhu (Atractylodes,…

On November 19, 2023, while riding my bicycle on a Beijing road, I was in a car accident that nearly cost me my life. After learning of it, a classmate from my first year of high school invited my cousin to rush to the hospital…