"Shenxian Yikuai Qi": A Formula for Digestive Masses and Abdominal Distention

Yikuai Qi is a formula recorded in "Fushou Jingfang" (Proven Formulas for Sustained Life), and it was also included in "Wanbing Huichun" (Experiential Prescriptions for Saving Ten Thousand Diseases), where it was renamed Shenxian Yikuai Qi (Immortal Single-Qi Pill). Its composition is: Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi, soaked in children's urine and stir-fried), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri reticulatae), Qingpi (Pericarpium Citri reticulatae viride), Sanleng (Rhizoma Sparganii), Ezhu (Rhizoma Curcumae), each one liang (now 30 g); Shenqu (Massa Fermentata), Maiya (Fructus Hordei germinatus), Yujin (Radix Curcumae), Laifuzi (Semen Raphani), Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Binglang (Semen Arecae), Bai Qianniuzi (white pharbitis seed, head powder), each five qian (now 15 g); Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii immaturus), Zaojiao (Fructus Gleditsiae), Baicaoshuang (combustion soot from rural stove chimneys), each two qian five fen (now 7.5 g). Preparation: grind all herbs into a fine powder, make pills with flour paste the size of mung beans; take about 30 pills each time.

This formula's actions are to digest food and resolve stagnation, move qi and relieve depression. It treats dysphagia and glomus fullness, stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium, abdominal masses (zheng-jia and ju), hernia, and indigestion. These conditions correspond in modern terms to gastritis, cholecystitis, reflux esophagitis, gallstones, esophageal cancer, cardiac carcinoma, gastric antrum cancer, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. Clinically, the main indications for use are acid regurgitation, reflux, gastric distention, belching, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, hypochondriac distending or stabbing pain, and difficult bowel movements.

Many herbs in this formula are now commonly used against cancer—for example Sanleng, Ezhu, Qingpi, Yujin, Huanglian, and Zaojiao—and modern pharmacological research confirms they have some anticancer and swelling-reducing effects. Preparing this formula as a pill rather than a decoction also makes it convenient for long-term use by patients with chronic disease. Pills are inexpensive, easy to take, and have fewer side effects.

However, caution is needed: this formula is mainly composed of qi-breaking and stagnation-resolving herbs, so patients with a bleeding tendency should not use it alone, as it may cause side effects such as gastric bleeding. When tumor patients use it, one may appropriately add Baiji (Bletilla), Huaruishi (Ophicalcitum), Fengweicao (Pteris multifida), Sanqi (Panax notoginseng), and Biejia (Carapax Trionycis).

This formula can improve bloating, abdominal pain, and poor appetite; it may also slow the progression of tumors such as esophageal, gastric, and liver cancer, improving quality of life and prolonging survival. Weak patients with middle-to-late stage cancer should combine it with formulas such as Huangqi Buxue Tang, Shiquan Dabu Tang, Shengmai Yin, Guipi Tang, or Buzhong Yiqi Tang, so that while pathogen is being dispelled, healthy qi is also supported.