acupuncture and phytotherapy

Ma huang tang (ephedra decoction) was first described in the Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Diseases. This formula induces sweating and helps disperse the Lung Qi to relieve asthma. It consists of four drugs [i] [ii]. It is used to treat wind-cold excess type [iii].

Gui zhi tang (decoction of Cassia Twig) first described in the Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Diseases. This formula eliminates external pathogenic factors of the skin and muscles and regulates the yin qi (nutritive qi) and wei qi (defensive qi) in order to alleviate external syndromes. It consists of five drugs [iv] [v] [vi]. It is used to treat wind-cold deficiency type [vii].

Xiang Ru San (powder elshotziae) first described in the book Benevolent Prescription From Taiping Pharmaceutical Bureau. This formula relieves external syndromes and disperses cold, eliminates dampness and restores the function of the middle burner. It consists of three drugs [viii]. Zhixian states that this herbal prescription is particularly useful during the heat of summer [ix].

Xing Su San (powder, almonds and perilla) described the book Wen Bing Tiao Bian (the Detailed Analysis Seasonal Febrile Diseases). This formula is indicated to eliminate cold-dryness, disperse lung qi and resolve phlegm. It is composed of 11 drugs [x] [xi] [xii].

Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (decoction of 9 ingredients containing notopterygium) described in the book Ci Shi Zhi Nan (Difficult Medical Problems). Has the function of inducing diaphoresis, eliminating dampness and clearing internal heat [xiii]. It consists of nine drugs [xiv] [xv].

Xiao Qing Long Tang (decoction of the small blue dragon [xvi]) first described in the Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Diseases. This formula has the following actions: expel cold and the external pathogenic factors, heat and resolving lung fluid retention. It consists of eight drugs [xvii] [xviii].This requirement warms the lungs and is more advised on wind-cold external patterns (cough, dyspnoea) with dampness-phlegm (expectoration profuse).

Da Qing Long Tang (Decoction of the Great Dragon Green-Blue). This herbal medical prescription is best advised to relieve the exterior and eliminate internal heat symptoms such as thirst, restlessness and irritability. [Xix].

Zhi Sou San (powder to relieve cough) first described in the book Summary from Medicine Clinical Practice. Being used to expel wind, disperse lung qi, relieving cough and eliminating phlegm as in it´s composition seven drugs [xx].

Cang Er Zi San (form that unblocks everything) first described in the book Ji Sheng Fang. Its functions are: open the blocked nose and expel wind and cold. It consists of four drugs [xxi] [xxii].

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San (Wallich form) first described in the book Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang has functions like relieving pain and dispersing wind-cold. It consists of seven drugs [xxiii].This drug is a perfect example of what is written about patterns of external wind-cold aggravated with patterns of excess.

Cong Chi Tang (Decoction of onion and soybean ready) [xxiv], first described in the work of Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang is used to eliminate soft wind-cold and has in its composition two drugs [xxv].

FINAL NOTES

[I] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 35.

[Ii] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp. 114.

[Iii] The Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Tradicitional, pag. 369.

[Iv] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 36, 37.

[V] Or Xin Lin, Classical and Modern Chinese Herbal Formulae and Research, pp. 33-34.

[Vi] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp. 114.

[Vii] The Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Tradicitional, pag.369.

[Viii] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 39.

[Ix] The Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Tradicitional, pag. 380.

[X] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 41.

[Xi] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp. 114.

[Xii] The Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Tradicitional, pag. 381.

[Xiii] In this case must refer to a bitter taste in the mouth, a characteristic symptom of invasion of internal heat in the shao yang. Besides the formula is for wind-damp-cold. Zhixian, po example is the symptom of bitter mouth but says nothing about internal heat.

[Xiv] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 43.

[Xv] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp. 114.

[Xvi] The Work of Li Fei (Brazilian translation) appears translated as green dragon. In the book Science of prescriptions (Chinese-English bilingual edition) appears as blue dragon.

[Xvii] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 44.

[Xviii] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp.114.

[Xix] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp. 114.

[Xx] Science of Prescriptions, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pp. 46.

[Xxi] Or Xin Lin, Classical and Modern Chinese Herbal Formulae and Research, pp. 35.

[Xxii] The Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Tradicitional, pag.359.

[Xxiii] Or Xin Lin, Classical and Modern Chinese Herbal Formulae and Research, pp. 42.

[Xxiv] Fei Li, Chen Song Yu; Clinical Guide to Herbs and Formulas in Chinese medicine, pp.114.

[Xxv] The Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Tradicitional, pag.360.