Formulas that Release the Exterior

HBR8

Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction (cong chi tang)

Cong Bai, Dan Dou Chi Pattern: First stage WInd-Cold or Wind-Heat

Indications: Mild fever and slight chills, no sweating, headache, stuffy nose, thin white tongue coating, and a floating pulse.

*Ephedra Decoction (Ma Huang Tang)

C:
D: A:

Ma huang
Gui zhi Xing ren

E:

Gan cao

Pattern: Wind-Cold attacking Exterior (Taiyang Stage Attack by Cold; Wind-Cold Exterior Excess)

Indications: Fever and chills (chills predominant) no sweating, headache, generalized body aches, wheezing, a thin, white tongue coating, and a floating, tight pulse.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: In patients with debility and copious urination, or who are prone to bleeding (especially from the nose). Because of the adrenergic effects of Herba Ephedrae (ma huang), use with caution in cases with hypertension.

*Cinnamon Twig Decoction (gui zhi tang)

C: D: Gui zhi Bai shao

A:
E:

Sheng jiang, Da zao

Zhi gan cao

Pattern: Wind-Cold with Ying-Wei Disharmony (Taiyang Stage Attack by Wind; Wind-Cold Exterior Deficiency) Indications: Fever and chills unrelieved by sweating, headache, aversion to wind, stiff neck, nasal congestion, dry heaves, no particular thirst, a thin, white, and moist tongue coating, and a floating pulse that is either moderate or frail.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: Contraindicated in cases with exterior cold and interior heat, characterized by fever and thirst or sore throat with a rapid pulse. It should be used with caution during the summer or spells of hot weather.
If prescribed in cases with heat, nosebleed may result. If incorrectly prescribed, or if the dosage is too strong, profuse sweating, high fever, severe thirst, palpitations and irritability may result.

Minor Bluegreen Dragon Decoction (xiao qing long tang)

C: Ma Huang, Gui Zhi Gan Jiang, Xi Xin, Wu Wei Zi, Bai Shao, Ban Xia, Zhi Gan Cao Pattern: Exterior Wind-Cold with congested fluids Indications: Chills > Fever, no sweating, cough, wheezing, sputum that is copious, white, stringy, and difficult to expectorate, floating, tight pulse. May be floating edema or considerable difficulty in breathing when lying down.

Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium (jiu wei qiang huo tang)

C:

Qiang Huo

Fang Feng, Cang Zhu, Xi Xin, Chuan Xiong, Bai Zhi, Huang Qin, Sheng Di Huang, Gan Cao Pattern: Externally-contracted wind-cold-dampness with concurrent internal accumulation of heat. Indications: Fever and chills (chills predominant) with no sweating, headache, stiff neck, generalized aches and pain, slight thirst, a bitter taste in the mouth, a white tongue coating, and a floating pulse.

Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder (xiang su san)

C: Zi Su Ye

Xiang Fu, Chen Pi, Zhi Gan Cao Pattern: Exterior wind-cold with interior qi constraint. Indications: Fever and chills with no sweating, headache, focal distention and a stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, poor appetite, belching, a thin, white tongue coating, and a floating pulse.

Elsholtzia Powder (xiang ru san)

C: Xiang Ru

Bai Bian Dou, Hou Po

Pattern: exterior cold with interior dampness contracted in the summer

Indications: Aversion to cold with skin that is warm to the touch, an no sweating, a sensation of heaviness in the head, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, a stifling sensation in the chest, fatigued extremities, a white, greasy tongue coating, and a floating pulse.

*Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction (sang ju yin)

C:

Sang ye, Ju hua

D:
A: E:

Lian qiao, Bo he, Jie geng, Xing ren

Lu gen Gan cao

Pattern: Superficial Warm Disease (Wei Level WindHeat) Indications: Slight fever, cough, slight thirst, a thin, white tongue coating, and a floating, rapid pulse.

*Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder (yin qiao san)

C: Jin yin hua, Lian qiao

D: Jie geng, Niu bang zi, Bo he, Dan dou chi, Jing jie
A: Dan zhu ye, Lu gen, Gan cao

Pattern: Wei Level Warm Disease (Wind-Heat)

Indications: Fever, slight or no chills, headache, thirst, cough, sore throat, a red-tipped tongue, a thin, white or thin, yellow tongue coating, and a floating, rapid pulse.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: In cases with damp-heat, unless this formula is modified it will be ineffective.

*Bupleurum & Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer (chai ge jie ji tang)
C: D: A: E: Chai Hu, Ge Gen Qiang Huo, Bai Zhi, Huang Qin, Shi Gao Jie Geng, Bai Shao Gan Cao, Jie Geng, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao

Pattern: Wind Cold transforming into Interior Heat Indications: An exterior wind-cold presentation characterized by increasing fever and decreasing chills accompanied by headache, stiffness of the extremities, orbital and eye pain, dry nasal passages, irritability, insomnia, a thin, yellow tongue coating, and a floating, slightly flooding pulse.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: This formula is inappropriate for simple exterior wind-heat disorders.

*Kudzu Decoction (ge gen tang)

C: D: A: E: Ge gen Ma huang, Gui zhi Bai shao, Sheng jiang, Da zao Gan cao

Pattern: Taiyang Stage Wind-Cold with stiff neck

Indications: Fever and chills without sweating, stiff and rigid neck and upper back, a thin, white tongue coating, and a floating, tight pulse.

Ligusticum Powder to be Taken with Green Tea (chuan xiong cha tiao san)

C:

Bo He

Chuan Xiong, Qiang Huo, Bai Zhi, Xi Xin, Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Gan Cao, Green Tea Pattern: Headache d/t Exterior Wind Indications: Headache in any part of the head accompanied by fever and chills, dizziness, nasal congestion, a thin, white tongue coating, and a floating pulse.

Xanthium Powder (cang er zi san)

C: D: Cang Er Zi, Xin Yi Hua Bai Zhi, Bo He

Pattern: Wind Heat attacking the head Indications: Copious, purulent, and foul-smelling nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, dizziness, frontal headache, a normal or yellow tongue coating, and a floating, rapid pulse.

*Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic C: Influences Qiang huo, Du(ren huo shen bai du san)

D: Chuan xiong, Chai hu, Bo he A: Jie geng, Zhi ke, Qian hu, Sheng jiang, Ren shen, Fu ling E: Gan cao Pattern: Exterior Wind-Cold-Dampness with Qi Deficiency Indications: High fever and severe chills with shivering, no sweating, pain and stiffness of the head and neck, soreness and pain of the extremities, focal distention and fullness of the chest, nasal congestion with sonorous breathing, a productive cough, a greasy, white tongue coating, and a floating, soggy pulse.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: Because of the warm, drying properties of many of the ingredients, it is important to remember that this formula is indicated only for externally-contracted wind-colddampness, and is contraindicated for cases with heat.

Ephedra, Asarum, and Prepared Aconite Decoction (ma huang xi xin fu zi tang)

C:

ma huang

fu zi, xi xin Pattern: Exterior cold with yang deficiency (Taiyang + Shaoyin) Indications: Sensation of extreme cold and severe chills (relieved by wearing more clothing or adding covers), a slight fever and no sweating, exhaustion, a white, slippery tongue coating, and a submerged, faint pulse.

Modified Polygonatum Odoratum Decoction (jia jian wei rui tang)

C:

Yu Zhu

Cong Bai, Jie Geng, Dan Dou Chi, Bo He, Bai Wei, Zhi Gan Cao, Da Zao Pattern: Wind-Heat with Yin-Blood Def Indications: Fever and slight chills, little or no sweating, headache, dry throat, cough, sputum which is difficult to expectorate, thirst, irritability, a dark-red tongue, and a rapid pulse.

Ledebouriella Powder that Sagely Unblocks (fang feng tong sheng san)

C:

Fang Feng, Ma Huang, Da Huang, Mang Xiao

Jing Jie, Bo He, Zhi Zi, Hua Shi, Shi Gao, Lian Qiao, Huang Qin, Jie Geng, Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Bai Zhu, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang Pattern: Excess Heat in both Interior and Exterior

Indications: Strong fever and chills, light-headedness, dizziness, red and sore eyes, difficulty in swallowing, nasal congestion with thick and sticky nasal discharge and saliva, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry mouth, focal distention with a stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm, constipation, dark, rough urination, a yellow, greasy tongue coating, flooding, rapid or wiry, slippery pulse.

Formulas that Clear Heat

*White Tiger Decoction (bai hu tang)

C: Shi Gao

D:
E:

Zhi Mu
Zhi Gan Cao, Nonglutinous Rice (Jing Mi)

Pattern: Blazing heat in Yang Ming channel-stage, or Qi level. Indications: High fever with profuse sweating and an aversion to heat, a red face, severe thirst and irritability, and a flooding, forceful or slippery, rapid pulse. May also include headache, toothache, or bleeding of the gums and nose.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: This formula is often modified to protect the Spleen from injury by the cold-natured herbs in the formula.

It is contraindicated for coughing and wheezing due to wind-cold, coughing and wheezing due to wind-heat, or coughing and wheezing due to damp-phlegm.

Lophatherus and Gypsum Decoction (zhu ye shi gao tang)

C: Dan Zhu Ye, Shi Gao

Ren Shen, Mai Men Dong, Ban Xia, Zhi Gan Cao, Nonglutinous Rice
Pattern: Qi-level heat lingering in Lungs and Stomach

Indications: Lingering, low-grade fever (from a febrile disease) accompanied by vomiting, irritability and thirst, parched mouth, lips, and throat, a choking cough, stifling sensation in the chest, a red tongue with little coating, and a deficient, rapid pulse. Some patients experience restlessness and insomnia.

Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction (qing ying tang)

C: xi jiao xuan shen, sheng di huang, mai men dong, jin yin hua, lian qiao, huang lian, dan zhu ye, dan shen Pattern: Heat in Ying Level Indications: High fever that worsens at night, severe irritability and restlessness, a scarlet, dry tongue, and a thin, rapid pulse. Some patients are thirsty, some delirious, and some exhibit faint and indistinct erythema and purpura.

*Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity (huang lian jie du C: Huang Liantang)

D: A: Huang Qin Huang Bai, Zhi Zi Pattern: Fire obstructing Three Burners

Indications: High fever, irritability, a dry mouth and throat, incoherent speech, insomnia, dark urine, a red tongue with a yellow coating, and a rapid, forceful pulse. Also for nosebleed or vomiting of blood due to heat excess; carbuncles, boils, and other toxic swellings; and dysenteric disorders or jaundice due to damp-heat.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: Because it is very bitter and cold, this formula should only be prescribed in cases of excess for patients of robust constitution. Since it can easily injure the yin, it should not be taken for prolonged periods. If prescribed for conditions of heat in the nutritive or blood levels, it may easily injure the yin.
Contraindicated in cases of deficiency of qi or deficiency of yin.

Drain the Epigastrium Decoction (xie xin tang)

C: Da Huang

D:

Huang Qin, Huang Lian

Pattern: Damp Heat with Interior Clumping Indications: Fever, irritability and restlessness, flushed face, red eyes, delirious speech, dark urine, constipation, a greasy, yellow tongue coating. Also for epigastric focal distention, jaundice, diarrhea, and dysenteric disorders; or vomiting of blood or nosebleed; or red and swollen eyes and ears; or ulcerations of the tongue and mouth; or abscesses.

Decoction of Universal Benefit to Eliminate Toxin (pu ji xiao du yin)

C:

huang qin, huang lian

niu bang zi, lian qiao, bo he, jiang can, xuan shen, ma bo, ban lan gen, jie geng, gan cao, chen pi, chai hu, sheng ma Pattern: Epidemic Toxin w/Wind Heat and Damp Phlegm Indications: Strong fever and chills, redness, swelling, and burning pain of the head & face, dysfunction of the throat, dryness and thirst, a red tongue with a powdery-white or yellow coating, and a floating rapid and forceful pulse

Five-ingredient Decoction to Eliminate Toxin (wu wei xiao du yin)

C:

Jin Yin Hua

Pu Gong Ying, Zi Hua Di Ding, Ye Ju Hua, Zi Bei Tian Kui Pattern: Fire in Qi and Blood Levels (manifesting as boils) Indications: All types of boils and carbuncles with localized erythema, swelling, heat and pain accompanied by fever, chills, a red tongue with a yellow coating, a rapid pulse.

*Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, & Gypsum Decoction (ma xing shi gan tang)

C:
D: E:

ma huang, shi gao

xing ren zhi gan cao

Pattern: Heat Lodged in the Lungs

Indications: Fever with sweating, or fever with no sweating, thirst, wheezing, coughing, labored breathing, nasal flaring and pain, a yellow tongue coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: Contraindicated for wheezing due to cold and in cases where the pathogenic influence lingers due to normal qi deficiency.

Drain the White Powder (xie bai san)

C: Chao Sang Bai Pi Di Gu Pi, Zhi Gan Cao, Nonglutinous Rice Pattern: Smoldering Fire d/t Constrained Heat in the Lungs Indications: Coughing, wheezing, and fever with skin that feels hot to the touch, all symptoms worsen in the late afternoon. There is also a dry mouth, little or difficult-to-expectorate sputum, a thin, rapid pulse, and a red tongue with a yellow coating.

Drain the Yellow Powder (xie huang san)

C: Shi Gao, Zhi Zi

Fang Feng, Huo Xiang Ye, Gan Cao Pattern: Smoldering Fire in the Spleen Indications: Mouth ulcers, bad breath, thirst, frequent hunger, dry mouth and dry lips, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse. Also for tongue thrusting in children.

Clear the Stomach Powder (qing wei san)

C: Huang Lian Sheng Ma, Mu Dan Pi, Sheng Di Huang, Dang Gui Pattern: Heat Accumulation in the Stomach Indications: Toothache (the pain extends into the head), facial swelling, fever, bad breath, a dry mouth, a red tongue with little coating, and a slippery, large, and rapid pulse. Also for bleeding, swelling and sores of the gums, and for a swollen, painful tongue, swollen, painful lips, or swollen, painful jaw.

Jade Woman Decoction (yu nu jian)

C: Shi Gao, Shu Di Huang
Zhi Mu, Mai Men Dong, Niu Xi Pattern: Stomach Heat with Yin Deficiency

Indications: Toothache, loose teeth, bleeding gums, frontal headache, irritability and fever, thirst with a desire to drink cold beverages, a dry, red tongue with a yellow coating, and a floating, slippery, deficient, and large pulse.

Guide out the Red Powder (dao chi san)

C: Sheng Di Huang

Mu Tong, Dan Zhu Ye, Gan Cao Shao

Pattern: Heat in the Heart and Small Intestine channels.

Indications: Irritability with a sensation of heat in the chest, thirst with a desire to drink cold beverages, a red face, possibly sores around the mouth, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse. Also used for dark, scanty, rough, and painful urination, or even clearly visible blood in the urine.

*Gentiana Longdancao Decoction to Drain the Liver (long dan xie gan tang)

C: D:

Long Dan Cao Huang Qin, Zhi Zi, Chai Hu

A: Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi, Ze Xie, Sheng Di Huang, Dang Gui E: Gan Cao

Pattern: Excess Heat in Liver / Gallbladder Channels Indications: Pain in the hypochondria, headache, dizziness, red sore eyes, hearing loss, swelling in the ears, bitter taste, irritability, short temper, a wiry, rapid, and forceful pulse, and red tongue with yellow coating. Also: difficult & painful hot urination, swollen itchy external genitalia, foul-smelling leukorrhea. Women: shortened cycle w/reddish-purple menstrual blood.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: This formula can harm the Spleen. It should therefore not be taken for prolonged periods or in large doses, nor in cases with Spleen deficiency or injury to the fluids.

Left Metal Pill (zuo jin wan)

C:
D:

Huang Lian
Wu Zhu Yu

Pattern: Liver Stomach Disharmony from Liver Heat

Indications: Hypochondriac pain, indeterminate gnawing hunger, epigastric focal distention, vomiting, acid regurgitation, belching, a bitter taste in the mouth, a dry mouth, a red tongue with a yellow coating, and a wiry, rapid pulse.

Pulsatilla Decoction (bai tou weng tang)

C: Bai Tou Weng

Huang Lian, Huang Bai, Qin Pi Pattern: Hot dysenteric disorder d/t heat toxin searing the Stomach and Intestines. Indications: Abdominal pain, tenesmus, a burning sensation around the anus, diarrhea containing more blood than pus, thirst, a red tongue with a yellow coating, and a wiry, rapid pulse.

*Artemisia Annua and Soft-shelled Turtle Shell Decoction (qing hao bie jia tang)

C:

Bie Jia, Qing Hao

D:
A:

Sheng Di Huang, Zhi Mu

Mu Dan Pi

Pattern: Heat Smoldering in the Yin Regions of the Body Indications: Night fever and morning coolness with no sweating as the fever recedes, emaciation with no loss of appetite, a red tongue with little coating, and a fine, rapid pulse.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: Contraindicated in the early stages of a warm-febrile disease, when the pathogenic influence is still in the qi level, and also in cases with spasms or convulsions.

Six-to-One Powder (liu yi san)

C: D: Hua Shi Gan Cao

Pattern: Summerheat with Interior Dampness Indications: Fever, sweating, irritability, thirst, urinary difficulty, a thin yellow greasy tongue coating and a soggy rapid pulse.

Clear Summerheat and Augment the Qi Decoction (qing shu yi qi tang)

C:

Xi Yang Shen, Xi Gua Pi

Lian Geng, Shi Hu, Mai Men Dong, Dan Zhu Ye, Zhi Mu, Huang Lian, Zhi Gan Cao, Nonglutinous Rice Pattern: Summerheat injuring Qi and Fluids Indications: Fever, profuse sweating, irritability, thirst, scanty and dark urine, a desire to curl up, shortness of breath, apathy and a deficient rapid pulse. This is summerheat injuring the qi and fluids.

Formulas that Drain Downward

*Major Order the Qi Decoction (da cheng qi tang)

C: D: Da Huang Mang Xiao

A: Zhi Shi, Hou Po

Pattern: Yangming Organ-stage Disorder Indications: Severe constipation and flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness, abdominal pain which increases upon pressure, a tense and firm abdomen, a dry, yellow or dry, black tongue coating with prickles, and a submerged, excessive pulse. In severe cases, there may be tidal fevers, delirious speech, and profuse sweating from the palms and soles.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: This is a very strong formula which may cause vomiting or severe diarrhea. For weak patients, it should be used only when absolutely necessary, and then with the addition of tonic herbs. Contraindicated during pregnancy.

*Minor Order the Qi Decoction (xiao cheng qi tang)

Da huang, Hou po, Zhi shi For relatively mild yang brightness organ-stage disorders characterized by tidal fever, constipation, focal distention, and abdominal fullness, abdominal pain that does not increase upon pressure, an oldlooking (dirty and dry), yellow tongue coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse. Also for early-stage dysenteric disorders.

*Regulate the Stomach and Order the Qi Decoction (tiao wei cheng qi tang)

Da huang, Gan cao, Mang xiao

Mildly purges clumped heat. For mild constipation due to yang brightness-stage heat characterized by no focal distention and no abdominal fullness, but with irritability and a slippery, rapid pulse. Also for nosebleed, swollen gums and swollen throat, and petechiae (subcutaneous bleeding) due to heat in the Stomach and Intestines.
Cook Da huang with Gan cao, and dissolve Mang xiao in the strained decoction.

Hemp Seed Pill (ma zi ren wan)

C: Huo Ma Ren Xing Ren, Bai Shao, Zhi Shi, Hou Po, Da Huang, Honey Pattern: Constipation d/t heat-induced dryness in the Stomach and Intestines Indications: Constipation with hard stool that is difficult to expel, frequent urination, a dry, yellow tongue coating, and a submerged, rapid or floating, choppy pulse.

Rhubarb and Prepared Aconite Decoction (da huang fu zi tang)

C: Fu Zi Da Huang, Xi Xin Pattern: Constipation d/t cold accumulation in the interior Indications: Abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain, chills, low-grade fever, cold hands and feet, a white, greasy tongue coating, and a submerged, tight, and wiry pulse.

Moisten the Intestines Pill from Master Shen's Book (run chang wan)

C: Huo Ma Ren, Tao Ren Dang Gui, Sheng Di Huang, Zhi Ke

Pattern: Constipation d/t dry Intestines

Indications: Constipation, lusterless skin and nails, dry mouth with unquenchable thirst, dry tongue, thin pulse.

Benefit the River [Flow] Decoction (ji chuan jian)

C: Rou Cong Rong Dang Gui, Niu Xi, Ze Xie, Zhi Ke, Sheng Ma Pattern: Constipation d/t Kidney Yang and Qi Deficiency Indications: Constipation, clear and copious urine, lower back pain, cold sensation in the back.

Ten-Jujube Decoction (shi zao tang)

Gan Sui, Da Ji, Yuan Hua, Da Zao
Pattern: Suspended, congested fluids clogging up the chest and hypochondriac regions Indications: Cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria, hard focal distension in the epigastrium, dry heves, shortness of breath, headache, vertigo, white slippery tongue coating, submerged wiry pulse. May also be chest pain extending to the back which makes breathing difficult.