Formulas Study View
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
Cat
Calm Shen
Herb
Fu Ling(K) • Fu Shen(K) • Yuan Zhi(K) • Ren Shen(K) • Zhu Sha(K/A) • Shi Chang Pu(M) • Long Chi(M) • Honey(G/E)
Tongue
Greasy coat
Pulse
Weak, slippery, wiry
Actions
Calm Shen and fright • Boost Qi
Indicate
Insomnia or frequent waking, often early in the morning. Unable to fall back to sleep, Easily frightened or startled. Easily unsettled by seeming trivial events,Anxiety,Palpitations, Shortness of breath. [Song]
Biomed
anxiety, palpitations, abnormally fearful, insomnia, frequent waking, difficulty falling back to sleep, shortness of breath, easily startled
Patterns
Fright or shock induced Heart Qi Deficiency and Gallbladder Qi Deficiency, Insomnia HT GB Qi Xu
Comment
Yuan Zhi and Ren Shen can calm shen. Long Chi is the teeth of Long Gu. Patent: Seven Forest Salvia & Amber formula for bi-polar, schizophrenia, and PTSD
Tests
Other
Ba Zhen Tang
Cat
Tonify Qi and Blood
Herb
Si Jun Zi Tang: Ren Shen(K) • Bai Zhu(M) • Fu Ling(A) • Gan Cao(G); Si Wu Tang: Shu Di Huang(K) • Bai Shao(M) • Dang Gui(M) • Chuan Xiong(A)
Tongue
pale
Pulse
weak
Actions
Tonify Qi and Blood
Indicate
Qi & Blood deficiency [35] • Any Qi and Blood deficiency conditions. Chronic illnesses, pale face, sallow complexion, weakness, shortness of breath, poor appetite, dizziness, palpitations[42]
Biomed
anemia, Sheehan's disease, irregular menses
Patterns
Qi Deficiency, Blood Deficiency
Comment
Ba Zhen Tang = Si Wu Tang + Si Jun Zi Tang
CC
spicy food, excess heat
Tests
NCCAOM, Pan-Canadian, California
Ba Zheng San
Cat
Dispel Damp Heat
Herb
Hua Shi(K) • Chuan Mu Tong(K) • Qu Mai(M) • Bian Xu(M) • Che Qian Zi(M) • Zhi Zi(A) • Da Huang(A) • Gan Cao(E) • Deng Xin Cao(E)
Tongue
yellow greasy coat
Pulse
slippery, rapid
Actions
Clears heat, promotes urination, and unblocks painful
urinary dysfunction
[Song]
Indicate
Damp-Heat clumping in the Lower burner [35] • Urinary track infection(UTI); Damp heat in bladder: Damp heat obstructed - urgent urine, frequent urine, urine pain, dysuria; Damp heat blocks qi movement - lower abdominal pain; Heat injures body fluid - dry throat, dry mouth; T: yellow greasy coating; P: slippery rapid
[31] • Damp heat clumping in the Lower Jiao. Qu Mai and Bian Xu is dui yao. Da Huang is clear heat via stool. Others are clear heat via urine. Deng Xin Cao leads the heat out through urination. Acute damp heat Lin syndrome while Zhu Ling Tang is for Chronic Lin syndrome. For nephritis. [35]
Biomed
UTI, nephritis, glaucoma,
Patterns
Lower Jiao Damp Heat
Comment
Especially for damp heat in the urinary bladder; frequent, urgent and burning urination. Heat injures the vessel can lead to urinary pain and dysuria. This formula has 8 ingredients but the guiding herbs can often change. Plum Flower brand has the Ba Zhen San pills. Need to be aware that this formula can be very cold so once the UTI is resolved, the formula should be stopped. This is a pretty straightforward formula for UTI. Modify based on different types of Lin syndrome (blood, stone, or cloudy). Commonly used formula.[31]
CC
Not for long term use. Pregnancy.
Tests
NCCAOM, California, Pan-Canadian
Bai Du San
Cat
Release Exterior
Herb
Qiang Huo(K) • Du Huo(M) • Chuan Xiong(M) • Chai Hu(M) • Jie Geng(A) • Zhi Ke(A) • Qian Hu(A) • Fu Ling(A) • Ren Shen(A) • Gan Cao(E) • Sheng Jiang(E) • Bo He(E)
Pulse
weak, floating
Actions
Releases the exterior, dispels wind and dampness and
augments the qi
[31]
Indicate
QI DEFICIENCY with external wind-cold damp attack
– External wind-cold-damp: aversion to cold, fever, headache,
neck pain, soreness in body, no sweating, stuffy nose, cough
with phlegm, fullness in chest
– Qi deficiency: pale tongue with white coating, floating pulse
without strength (children, old patient, after disease, after labor); aversion to cold, fever, soreness pain in body, NO sweating, floating
weak pulse
[31]
Patterns
Wind Cold Damp, Qi Deficiency
Comment
MODIFICATIONS: • not obvious qi deficiency, but severer exterior syndrome: (-) Ren Shen, (+) Jing Jie,
Fang Feng • Severer qi deficiency : increase Ren Shen, Huang Qi ； • Severe damp, soreness pain worsen: Wei Ling Xian, Sang Zhi, Qin Jiao, Fang Ji ； • Severe cough: Xing Ren, Bai Qian ； • Beginning of dysentery: Bai Shao, Mu Xiang
CC
Not for exterior wind-heat or yin deficiency with external attacking 19
Tests
Other
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Cat
Tonify Lung Yin, Tonify Kidney Yin
Herb
Bai He(K) • Sheng Di Huang(K) • Shu Di Huang(K) • Mai Dong(M) • Xuan Shen(M) • Dang Gui(A) • Bai Shao(A) • Chuan Bei Mu(A) • Jie Geng(A) • Gan Cao(E)
Tongue
red, no coat
Pulse
thin, rapid
Actions
Nourishes the yin, moistens the Lungs, transforms phlegm,
and stops coughing
[Song]
Indicate
Lung & Kidney yYn deficiency with deficient fire up flaming: Lung qi disorder: cough, heavy breathing • Burnt body fluid and collaterals : dryness pain in throat, afternoon fever, blood in phlegm, • T: red tongue body lack of coating, P: thin rapid [Song] • LU & KD Yin deficiency causing Internal Dryness: Cough with blood-streaked sputum, wheezing, dry and sore throat, hot palms and soles, night sweats[Kim]
Patterns
Lung Dryness, Lung Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Cough Internal Lung Yin Deficiency, Blocked Menses LU Yin & Blood Xu
Comment
"Jin" in this formula name means "metal" or Lungs.
Tests
NCCAOM
Bai Hu tang
Cat
Clear Heat
Herb
Shi Gao(K, 30-90g) • Zhi Mu(M, 9g-15g) • Jing Mi(A, 9-15g) • Zhi Gan Cao(E, 3-6g)
Tongue
red, dry yellow coat
Pulse
Flooding, large[31] • surging, full, slippery, rapid[35]
Actions
Clear heat and promote body fluid [31]
Indicate
Excess Heat in the Yangming channel or Qi level [35] • Excessive heat - Big 4: high fever, severe sweating, flooding pulse, severe thirst [31] • Yang Ming channel heat: high fever with aversion to heat, not to cold. Irritation, profuse sweating, red face, head aches, severe thirst, prefer cold drinks, bleeding gum, epistaxis[35]
Patterns
Qi-stage Heat
Comment
YANG MING CHANNEL HEAT; 4 big, Qi level • ShiGao/ZhiMu–drain fire, moisten dryness, increase fluids; JingMi–protects stomach; ZhiGanCao–preserve stomach Yin • Gum bleeding, toothache, lots of acute inflammation in the Upper Jiao, and GI complaint after the fever;
pure fire, more bacterial infection than virus infection • Compare it to antibiotics. Bai Hu Tang + Asprin = antibiotics used in the past. •
This formula can handle high fever as high as 103 - especially with pediatric patients having a flu. This formula does NOT have constipation. If there is constipation, should use Da Chen Qi Tang.
Tests
NCCAOM, 6 Herbs or Fewer
Bai Tou Weng Tang
Cat
Clear Heat - Zang Fu Organs
Herb
Bai Tou Weng(K) • Huang Lian(M) • Huang Bai(M) • Qin Pi(A)
Tongue
red with yellow greasy coat
Pulse
wiry, rapid
Actions
clear heat toxin, cool blood, stop diarrhea [31]
Indicate
Dysentery due to Toxic-Heat in the ST & Intestine [35] • Heat toxin dysentery: abdominal pain, tenesmus, burning anus, more bleeding than
pus in stools. Thirst , red tongue with yellow coating, wiry
rapid pulse
[31]
Patterns
Middle Jiao Toxic Heat Dysentery
Tests
NCCAOM
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Cat
Calm Shen
Herb
Bai Zi Ren • Xuan Shen • Shu Di Huang • Fu Shen • Gou Qi Zi • Mai Dong • Dang Gui • Shi Chang Pu • Gan Cao
Tongue
Pale with red tips or red
Pulse
Thin, weak, rapid
Actions
Nourish Heart and Heart Blood, tonify and cool Blood, tonify Kidney Yin, calm Shen
Indicate
vivid or disturbing dreams, nightmares or dream disturbed sleep, insomnia, occasional anxiety, palpitations, difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue; nocturnal emissions, night sweats
Patterns
Heart Blood and Yin Deficiency • Shen disturbance • Heart and Kidney not communicating
CC
Contraindicated for Spleen and Stomach weakness with tendency to bloat
Tests
Pan-Canadian
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Cat
Treat Wind Phlegm
Herb
Ban Xia(K) • Tian Ma(K) • Bai Zhu(M) • Fu Ling(M) • Ju Hong(A) • Gan Cao(E)
Tongue
white, greasy, sticky
Pulse
Slippery, string-taut
Actions
Strengthens the SP, dispels dampness, transforms phlegm, and extinguishes wind [Song]
Indicate
MANIER'S DISEASE, internal WIND PHLEGM, nausea, vomiting, chest stifling sensation, dizziness, vertigo, headache, copious sputum, wiry, slippery [Kim] • vertigo, headache, white greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse[42]
Biomed
Manier's disease
Patterns
Wind phlegm pushing upward, Phlegm Obstruction[vertigo, headache]
Comment
Includes Er Chen Tang. Important formula for dizziness and vertigo from LV wind. Ju Hong is stronger at transforming phlegm than Chen Pi.
CC
Vertigo of hyperactive Yang due to Yin deficiency or dizzy of Qi and Blood deficiency
Tests
California , NCCAOM, Pan-Canadian, 6 Herbs or Fewer
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Cat
Regulate Qi
Herb
Ban Xia(K, 9-12g) • Hou Po(K, 9g) • Fu Ling(A, 12g) • Sheng Jiang(A, 9g) • Zi Su Ye(A, 6g)
Tongue
slippery white coat
Pulse
wiry, slippery
Actions
Move qi ,dissipate nodules, descend qi, resolve phlegm [Song] • Soothe LV Qi, clear Phlegm stagnation[Kim]
Indicate
LV Qi & Phlegm stagnation lodging in the throat causing Plum-pit syndrome [35] • Plum pit Qi from emotional upset: Liver Qi Yu - LU ST fail to descend, body fluid accumulate into phlegm; Phlegm + qi obstructed in throat, sensation of objects in throat, can’t swollen it down, nor vomit out. Chest oppressed and fullness, cough, wheezing, nausea, vomiting; White slippery tongue coating, wiry or slippery pulse. [31]
Patterns
Plum Pit Qi, Liver Qi Stagnation, Phlegm and Qi Stagnation, Depression Phlegm Stagnation
Comment
Liver Qi and Phlegm stagnation logding in the throat causing Plum Pit Qi. This formula addresses the branch more than the root; although LV Qi stagnation is the indication, no herbs in this formula specifically address LV Qi.[Kim] • Plum pit Qi...Qi and phlegm stagnation together. You don’t feel the phlegm. Not post nasal drip. Mostly emotional. Emotional issues create the Qi stagnation which then leads to phlegm. LV feels Qi stagnation the most. Then the Spleen feels it. LV overacting on Spleen leading to SP Qi Xu. Water metabolism is not working well and creates dampness, affecting the lung (LV insulting the lung). Lung Yin gets involved and voice gets affected and potentially leads to plum pit Qi. Plum Pi Qi – feeling of something in the throat that cannot be swallowed or coughed out; Ban Xia/Hou Po – Dui Yao for phlegm damp cold, clear Qi stagnation. Hou Po brings Qi down and for rebellious Qi. Ban Xia is also for rebellious Qi; Fu Ling – damp • Sheng Jiang – GI upset for Spleen; Zi Su Ye – food poison SP/ST.
CC
Qi stagnation transformed into fire, Yin deficiency
Tests
NCCAOM, 6 Herbs or Fewer, California, Pan-Canadian
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Cat
Harmonize
Herb
Ban Xia(K) • Gan Jiang(M) • Huang Qin(M) • Huang Lian(M) • Ren Shen(A) • Da Zao(A) • Zhi Gan Cao(E)
Tongue
yellow greasy coat
Pulse
wiry, rapid
Actions
Harmonize the ST, directs rebellious qi downward, disperses
clumping, and eliminates focal distention
[31]
Indicate
Pi syndrome due to Cold-Heat complex [35] • Fullness distention in epigastria, vomiting, diarrhea,
yellow greasy coating [31] • Epigastric focal distention (fullness, discomfort, but not hardness on palpation). Poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, borborygmus, diarrhea, or loose stools. A sensation of fullness in the chest and epigastrium
Possibly slight thirst. T: yellow, greasy coating. P: wiry, rapid [42]
Patterns
Stomach Heat and Cold Mix, ascending descending disorder
Comment
Modifications
• Severe fullness and oppression: reduce Da Zao, + Zhi Shi, Hou Po • Severe damp: Huo Xiang, Hua Shi, Fu Ling
[31]
Tests
NCCAOM
Bao He Wan
Cat
Eliminate Food Stagnation
Herb
Shan Zha(K) • Shen Qu(K) • Lai Fu Zi(K) • Ban Xia(M) • Chen Pi(M) • Fu Ling(M) • Lian Qiao(A)
Tongue
thick, greasy coat
Pulse
slippery
Actions
Reduces food stagnation and harmonizes the Stomach [Song]
Indicate
Food stagnated in epigastium: Improper diet; Undigested food - aversion to food; Food stagnation - belching with foul smell, acid regurgitation; Middle Jiao qi movement disorder - vomiting, diarrhea; Middle Jiao qi stagnation - epigastria distention; T: thick greasy tongue coating, P: slippery [Song] • Insomnia [42]
Patterns
Food Stagnation [abdominal pain, diarrhea, epigastric pain, hiccups], Insomnia Stomach Disharmony
Comment
Bao He Wan – food stagnation; excess consumption: Shan Zha/Shen Qu/Lai Fu Zi/ –Food stagnation; Chen Pi/Ban Xia (Er Chen Tang); Fu Ling – tonify SP Qi, drain dampness; Lian Qiao – envoy; clear heat from the food stagnaEon. Make sure there’s something to
clear the heat. Think of compost bin, which is the stomach, there will be heat.
CC
Not for long term use. Gluten sensitivity.
Tests
California, NCCAOM, Pan-Canadian
Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Cat
Treat Dry Phlegm
Herb
Chuan Bei Mu(K) • Gua Lou(M) • Tian Hua Fen(A) • Fu Ling(A) • Ju Hong(A) • Jie Geng(A)
Tongue
dry white tongue coating
Pulse
rolling/slippery
Actions
Treat dry phlegm • Moisten Lung • Clear heat
Indicate
Dry cough with difficult to expectorate phlegm. Dryness heat attacks LU, and burns body fluid into phlegm. Dry throat, sore throat, dry white tongue coating [Song] • Chest pressure. Lingering pneumonia, long Covid, lingering bronchitis. Lung Yin deficiency.
Patterns
Dry Phlegm, Lung Yin Deficiency
Comment
This formula moistens dryness and resolve phlegm. Chuan Bei Mu is used for dry phlegm. Zhe Bei Mu for yellow or productive phlegm. Gua Lou and Tian Hua Fen(Gua Lou Gen) are from the same plant. Tian Hua Fen is a diabetic herb. Good for internal cough (no exterior symptoms left, only the cough remains).
Tests
California, NCCAOM, Pan-Canadian, 6 Herbs or Fewer
Bei Xie Fen Qing Yin
Cat
Dispel Dampness
Herb
Bi Xie(K) • Shi Chang Pu(M) • Yi Zhi Ren(A) • Wu Yao(A)
Tongue
pale, white coat
Pulse
deep
Actions
Warms the Kidneys, drains dampness, and transforms the
separates the turbid from the clear [Song]
Indicate
Cloudy urination/ Gao Lin; Lower jiao deficient cold, untransformed damp
• K deficiency: frequent urination • Yang deficiency fail to transform damp: turbid urine, as white
rice juice • clear and turbid mix: cloudy urine • T: pale tongue with white coating, P: deep
[Song]
Biomed
edema
Patterns
Kidney Yang Deficiency Cold, Lower Jiao Deficiency Cold
Comment
Kidney is deficient and not able to hold essence, leading to turbid/cloudy urine (like white rice milk); Shi Chang Pu helps the Spleen separate the clear from turbid. Yi Zhi Ren controls frequent urination. Wu Yao moves Qi and warms Kidney.[Song] • Gao Ling (Cloudy painful urinary dysfunction) due to KD Yang Deficiency Cold
CC
Yang type edema
Tests
6 Herbs or Fewer, NCCAOM, Pan-Canadian
Bie Jia Jian Wan
Cat
Regulate Blood
Herb
Bie Jia • Shi Wei • Tu Bie Chong • Qiang Lang • Shu Fu • Feng Fang • Tao Ren • Mu Dan Pi • Chai Hu • Hou Po • Huang Qin • Da Huang • Mang Xiao • Ban Xia • Gan Jiang • Gui Zhi • Qu Mai • Ling Xiao Hua • Ting Li Zi • Shao Yao • Ren Shen • E Jiao
Actions
Soften hardness and reduce tumors • Move Qi and Blood • Resolves Phlegm and stagnations
Indicate
Qi and blood stagnation, damp phlegm, tumor, liver cancer, liver sclerosis, splenomegaly, damp phlegm, chronic malaria, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, Yin jaundice blood stagnation
Biomed
liver cancer • liver sclerosis • splenomegaly
Patterns
Qi and Blood stagnation, Blood stasis, Damp phlegm, Yin Jaundice Blood Stagnation
Comment
The herb list is based on Chen's book. The list of herbs from Song's class differ in that it contains Wu Shan and Zi Wei. Here it is Tu Bie Chong and Ling Xiao Hua.
CC
Zheng Qi deficiency, pregnancy
Tests
Pan-Canadian
Bu Dai Wan
Cat
Expel Parasites
Herb
Wu Yi(60g) • Shi Jun Zi(60g) • Lu Hui(15g) • Ye Ming Sha(60g) • Ren Shen(15g) • Bai Zhu(15g) • Fu Ling(15g) • Gan Cao(15g)
Tongue
pale
Pulse
weak
Actions
Kill parasites
Indicate
Parasitic infections in children, poor digestion. Sallow complexion, distended abdomen, emaciated limbs, feverishness, dry and coarse hair, dull eyes. Used mainly for DEFICIENT conditions.
Patterns
Parasites
Comment
布 (Bù): Cloth. 袋 (Dài): Bag or pouch. Mainly for deficient conditions
CC
Excess conditions
Tests
Pan-Canadian
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Cat
Tonify Lung Yin
Herb
E Jiao • Niu Bang Zi • Gan Cao • Ma Dou Ling • Xing Ren • Nuo Mi
Tongue
red, scanty coating
Pulse
rapid, thin
Actions
Nourish LU yin, clear heat, stop bleeding [Song]
Indicate
Pediatric Lung yin deficiency heat. Cough, wheezing,
dry throat, little phlegm or with blood, red tongue with little coating,
thin rapid pulse
[Song]
Patterns
Lung Yin Deficiency, Yin Deficiency Heat
Comment
Ma Dou Ling is toxic and is no longer in use. This formula is not commonly used.
Tests
Other
Bu Fei Tang
Cat
Tonify Qi
Herb
Ren Shen(K, 2-9g) • Huang Qi(K, 3-30g) • Zi Wan(M, 3-9g) • Sang Bai Pi(M, 3-12g) • Shu Di Huang(A, 3-24g) • Wu Wei Zi(A, 1-6g)
Tongue
pale
Pulse
weak
Actions
Tonify Lung Qi • Stop cough and wheezing
Indicate
Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest restlessness, floating weak pulse, COPD[Song]
Biomed
COPD
Patterns
Lung Qi Deficiency
Comment
Because it's deficiency, it's suitable to bind and astringe the cough.
CC
phlegm heat, Spleen deficiency with loose stools
Tests
Other, 6 Herbs or Fewer
Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San
Cat
Dispel Dampness
Herb
Cang Zhu • Hou Po • Chen Pi • Gan Cao • Huo Xiang • Ban Xia
Tongue
thick, white, greasy coat
Pulse
slow
Actions
Relieving exterior syndrome, eliminating dampness, regulating
St to stop vomiting. – Middle Jiao Dampness with exterior cold syndrome.
[Song]
Indicate
Dampness, exterior syndrome, vomiting, middle jiao dampness with exterior cold syndrome.
[Song]
Comment
Cang Zhu directly dries dampness. Hou Po is aromatic transform damp and regulate Qi since it goes downward. Chen Pi regulates Qi and transform dampness. Gan Cao strengthens Spleen. This is an adaptation of Ping Wei San.
CC
Spleen deficiency, yin deficiency
Tests
Other, 6 Herbs or Fewer
Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang
Cat
Regulate Blood
Herb
Huang Qi(K) • Tao Ren • Hong Hua • Chuan Xiong • Chi Shao • Dang Gui Wei • Di Long
Tongue
White
Pulse
Slow
Actions
Tonify Qi • Unblock channels • Invigorate blood • Promotes movement in the limbs
Indicate
Hemiplegia due to Qi/Blood stagnation in the channels with Qi deficiency [35] • Severe lack of Qi, blood stagnation, incontinence, drooling, facial paralysis, thrombosis type blockage, paralysis, atrophy of limbs, alurred speech, drooling, urinary incontinence, wind stroke sequelae, hemiplegia [42]
Biomed
Stroke • Sciatica • Myelitis • Muscle atrophy
Patterns
Qi Deficiency • Blood stagnation
Comment
Dang Gui Wei is more potent at invigorating the blood than Dang Gui • Di Long dredges the channels • Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao - move blood to remove stasis • For deficiency based symptoms[Song] • Post stroke situation (6 months or more) with sequela symptoms of fatigue, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, speech impairments, dulled mental ability. Using Qi to move the blood. If using harsh invigorate blood herbs, it would cause harsh bleeding with such Qi deficiency.
CC
LV Yang Rising • Stoke patients with high blood pressure • Pregnancy • Hot blood • Yin deficiency • Blood stasis with phlegm stagnation • Forceful pulse
Tests
NCCAOM, Pan-Canadian
