Empirical Formula ⁽¹⁶⁶⁾

Yuzhu San appears repeatedly in ancient TCM texts (e.g., Medical Formulas Examined, Confucians’ Duties in Serving Parents, Systematic Reflection on External Medicine). It is a classic famous formula that nourishes blood, moistens the intestines, unblocks the bowels, and drains fire. It consists of equal amounts…

The formula "Mendong Yinzi" appears in several sources. In "Zheng Yin Mai Zhi" (Treatment of Disease Causes by Symptom, Pulse, and Pattern), it consists of Tiandong (Asparagus root), Maidong (Ophiopogon), Sangbaipi (Morus bark), Zhiqiao (bitter orange), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), and Gancao (Licorice), in appropriate…

Zhike Siwu Tang comes from "Ye's Gynecology" (Ye Shi Nüke). It treats great postpartum diabetes-like thirst, incessant drinking, with extreme fluid depletion and fire restlessness. Its composition is: Shudihuang (prepared Rehmannia) two qian, Danggui (Angelica sinensis) two qian, Baishao (White Peony) one qian, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum)…

In the lower volume of "Waike Jingyi" (The Essence of External Medicine) by Qi Dezhi, the Yuan-dynasty master of external medicine, there is a formula called "Dihuang Jian Wan" (Rehmannia Decoction Pills). It treats malignant sores, toxic abscesses, and bound, difficult urination and defecation. Its…

Cervical scrofula (lymph node tuberculosis) belongs to "luoli" in TCM external medicine. The venerable physician Pu Fuzhou considered this a disease of the liver and gallbladder channels, to be treated as qi depression combined with phlegm-fire. He used Xiaoyao San (Bupleurum, Angelica, Chuanxiong, White Peony,…

In "Shengji Zonglu" (Imperial Benevolent Records) there is a formula called Kuanqi Wan. Its composition is: Fangji (Stephania tetrandra) and Tian Tingli (descurainia seed, stir-fried with paper separating), each five qian (now 15 g); Hei Qianniuzi (black pharbitis seed, stir-fried until fragrant), one liang (now…

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,…

Elderly people and chronic patients often develop habitual constipation, which lasts a long time, recurs repeatedly, and lingers hard to heal. For such constipated patients, using strong laxatives is inappropriate. Treating such patients must balance supplementing deficiency with purgation; when using laxatives, mild laxatives should…

Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyreosis) belongs in TCM to the pattern of yin deficiency with internal heat. This disease is caused by excessive production of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroid patients have hypermetabolism and increased systemic excitability; clinically they show palpitations, hand tremor, a thickened neck, exophthalmos, irritability, increased eating…

The late veteran TCM physician Li Jifang of Jiading, Shanghai, had an ancestral “Xiaoyan Gao” (Nodule-Dissolving Paste), said to have been purchased by his ancestors for a hundred taels of gold. It treats with excellent effect yang-away (yin-pattern) scrofula (luoli, e.g., lymph node tuberculosis and…