Empirical Formula ⁽¹⁶⁶⁾

Goiter is a common condition. In mild cases, only an enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck is noticed; the swelling is soft rather than hard, and may be accompanied by nodules. When the goiter is very large, symptoms such as a sensation of…

The Qing-dynasty famous physician Cheng Guopeng (courtesy name Zhongling), in his work Yixue Xinwu (Medical Mind Awakening), has a chapter titled Shuizhong Xinwu (Mind Awakening on Edema), which specifically discusses the treatment of edema disease and is of considerable reference value.Cheng Guopeng divided edema into…

After a serious illness, many people are left with the after-effect of hiccups (belching). For example, after COVID, some patients develop stubborn hiccup symptoms, for which modern medicine has no corresponding management method. But this human reaction has existed since ancient times; in the Yifang…

The formula Huaihuang Wan comes from the Gujin Yijian (Ancient and Modern Medical Mirror). It consists of Huanglian (Coptis) and Huaihua (Sophora flower), each four liang (120 g). Preparation: grind the herbs into powder; take a pig large-intestine end, stuff it full of the medicinal…

The Huohren Xintong (Comprehensive Records of Activating the Spirit) contains a formula called Lianhan Wan (Sweat-Astringing Pill). It has the action of boosting qi and securing the exterior, and astringing yin and stopping sweat; it chiefly treats unbounded spontaneous sweating, or profuse cold sweats.Lianhan Wan…

Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) comes from the Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang (Formulas from the Imperial Grace Pharmacy). It is composed of Banxia (Pinellia), Juguhong (Tangerine Red), Bafuling (White Poria), Zhigancao (honey-fried Licorice), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Wumei (Mume). It dries dampness and resolves phlegm, and…

Nephritis (glomerulonephritis) is the most common kidney disease and can be caused by multiple factors. Its clinical manifestations include hematuria, proteinuria, edema, hypertension and renal dysfunction. In TCM this disease is called lin syndrome (stranguria). TCM holds that nephritis is caused by damp-heat pouring downward,…

COVID has now damaged the heart and brain blood vessels of many middle-aged and elderly patients. Based on my recent clinical medication insights, I have provisionally devised a pill formula for those who had pre-existing cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease that worsened after COVID infection, or…

Some patients recovered from COVID now develop numbness of the hands and feet and lower back pain as sequelae. In TCM this belongs to the bi (impediment) syndrome and can be treated with modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Tang.The formula is: raw Huangqi (Astragalus) 10 g,…

Recently I have treated many patients with viral pneumonia due to the COVID virus (many of them with white lung), as well as some patients with coronary blockage presenting with chest tightness and chest pain, and some cerebral-infarction patients presenting with dizziness and headache. I…