Classic Famous Formula ⁽²⁰⁵⁾

Siwu Decoction (the Four Substances Decoction) is a famous TCM formula for nourishing and invigorating blood. It was originally used by orthopedic physicians and comes from the Divine Tested Prescriptions for Treating Injuries and Mending Fractures (Xian Shou Li Xu Duan Mifang); later it also…

Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodao Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia, and Rice Bean Decoction) is a classical formula from Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Cold Damage (Shanghan Lun). Its composition is: 6g of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, nodes removed), 6g of Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), 40 pieces of Armeniacae Semen (Xingren, peel…

Xiebai San (White-Dispersing Powder) is a classical famous formula from Key to Therapeutics of Children's Diseases (Xiao'er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue) by Qian Yi, a renowned physician of the Song Dynasty. The formula consists of 30g each of Cortex Lycii Radicis (Digu Pi) and Cortex…

Wandai Tang (the Complete-Belt Decoction) is the first formula for the first disease in Fu Qingzhu's Gynecology. It consists of Chao Baizhu (Stir-fried Atractylodes) one liang (now 30 g), Huaishanyaao (Chinese Yam) one liang (now 30 g), Renshen (Ginseng) two qian (now 6 g), Baishao…

Guben Zhibeng Tang (Root-Securing and Collapse-Stopping Decoction) comes from Fu Qingzhu Nüke (Fu Qingzhu's Gynecology) by Fu Qingzhu, a renowned physician of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Fu Qingzhu, whose given name was Fu Shan, was a legendary figure of the late Ming:…

Tuoli Xiaodu San (Interior-Supporting Toxin-Expelling Powder) comes from Waike Zhengzong (Orthodox Manual of External Medicine) by the Ming-dynasty surgical master Chen Shigong, volume 1. Its composition is: Renshen (Ginseng), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Baishao (white Paeonia), Huangqi (Astragalus), Danggui (Angelica), Baizhu (Atractylodes), Fuling (Poria), Jinyinhua (honeysuckle), each…

There are several TCM formulas named Eryin Jian (Two-Yin Decoction). This article introduces the "Eryin Jian" recorded in the Ming-dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue's Jingyue Quanshu (Complete Works of Jingyue). It is composed of Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix Recens), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Fuling (Poria), each 3…

Shengxue Bingsui Tang (Blood-Engendering Marrow-Supplementing Decoction) comes from the Shangke Buyao (Essentials of Traumatology); it is an orthopedic formula for setting bones and healing injuries, composed of Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix Recens), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Wujiapi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Niuxi…

Sun Simiao's Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions for Emergencies Worth a Thousand Gold) records a formula called "Qipao Wanbing Wan" (Qipao's Myriad-Disease Pill). It is composed of: Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus) 1 fen, Shexiang (Moschus) 1 fen, Xijiao (Rhinocoris Cornu; one source says 1 zhu) 1…

Fu Ling Ze Xie Tang (Poria-Alisma Decoction) comes from the Jingui Yaolue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet). The original text reads: "In stomach counter-flow (fan wei), when there is vomiting and thirst with a desire to drink water, Fu Ling Ze Xie Tang governs."…