沉香 青木香 乌犀角 香附子 丁香 朱砂 诃黎勒 白檀香 麝香 荜茇 龙脑
白术 安息香 苏合油(各二两) 薰陆香(一两)
病患国中风,喉中痰塞,水饮难通,非香窜不能开窍,故集诸香以利窍;非辛热不能通
塞,故用诸辛为佐使。犀角虽凉,凉而不滞;诃黎虽涩,涩而生津。世人用此方于国中之时,
每每取效。丹溪谓辛香走散真气,又谓脑、麝能引风入骨,如油入面,不可解也。医者但可
用之以救急,慎毋令人多服也。
许胤宗者,唐时常州义兴人也,初仕陈,为新蔡王外兵参军。时柳太后感风不能言,脉
沉而紧,胤宗曰∶口不下药,宜以汤气蒸之,令药入腠理,周时可瘥。遂造黄 防风汤数十
斛,置于床下,气如烟雾,次日便得语。由是超拜义兴太守。昆谓鼻气通乎天,故无形之气,
由鼻而入,呼吸传变,无处不之。黄 甘而善补,得防风而功愈速,驱风补虚,两得之矣。
自非胤宗之通达,不能主乎此法。医者能善用之,则亦可以治乎今之人矣!
半夏(姜制)、陈皮(去白)、白茯苓(去皮,各等分)、甘草(炙,减半)
风盛痰壅,既用稀涎等药开其气道,续以此方主之。
风干于脾则痰壅,然痰之生,本于湿,半夏所以燥湿也,茯苓所以渗湿也,湿去则痰无
由以生;痰之为患,本于脾虚气滞,甘草所以补脾也,陈皮所以利气也,补脾利气,则土又
足以制湿,而痰且无壅滞矣。此二陈之旨也。名曰二陈,以橘、半二物贵乎陈久耳。正考见
痰门。
Agarwood (Aquilaria Sinensis), Qingmuxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Wuxijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma), Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Zhusha (Cinnabaris), Helile (Terminalia Chebulae Fructus), Baitanxiang (Santalum Album Lignum), Shexiang (Moschus), Bibo (Piperis Longi Fructus), Naozhang (Borneolum Syntheticum), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), AnxiXiang (Resina Benzoin), Suheyou (Styrax Liquidus) (each 2 liang), Xunluxiang (Olibanum / Boswelliae Resina) (1 liang).
The patient suffers from **Zhongfeng** (Stroke/Cerebral Apoplexy), with phlegm obstructing the throat, making it difficult to swallow water or food. Only aromatic and penetrating substances can open the orifices; therefore, a collection of various aromatic herbs is gathered to facilitate the opening of the orifices. Only pungent and hot substances can unblock obstructions; therefore, various pungent herbs are used as assistants and guides. Although **Xijiao** (Rhinoceros Horn) is cool, its cooling nature does not cause stagnation; although **Helile** (Chebulic Myrobalan) is astringent, its astringency generates body fluids. When people in the country use this formula for stroke, it often yields effective results. Zhu Danxi argued that pungent and aromatic drugs dissipate true Qi, and further claimed that Naozhang (Camphor) and Shexiang (Musk) can draw wind pathogens into the bones, like oil penetrating flour, which is incomprehensible. Physicians should only use this formula for emergency rescue and must strictly warn against frequent consumption.
Xu Yinzong was from Yixing, Changzhou, during the Tang Dynasty. He initially served in the Chen Dynasty as the External Military Adjutant to Prince Xincai. At that time, Empress Dowager Liu suffered from stroke and could not speak; her pulse was deep and tight. Xu Yinzong said, "Since oral medication cannot be taken, decoction steam should be used for fumigation, allowing the medicinal properties to enter the **Couli** (interstices of skin and muscle). Recovery can be expected within one double-hour period." Consequently, he prepared dozens of hu (ancient unit of volume) of Huangqi Fangfeng Tang (Astragalus and Saposhnikovia Decoction), placed them under the bed, and the vapor spread like smoke. The next day, the Empress Dowager regained her speech. For this, he was promoted to Governor of Yixing. I hold that nasal qi connects with Heaven; thus, formless Qi enters through the nose, transmits and transforms via respiration, reaching everywhere. Huangqi (Astragali Radix) is sweet and good at tonifying; combined with Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), its efficacy becomes even faster, achieving both the expulsion of wind and the tonification of deficiency. Without Xu Yinzong's profound understanding, he could not have presided over this method. If physicians can skillfully apply this method, it can also be used to treat contemporary patients.
Banxia (prepared with ginger juice), Chenpi (peel removed), BaiFuling (peel removed, equal parts of each), Gancao (honey-fried, half the dose).
When excessive wind leads to phlegm obstruction, after using medicines such as Xixian San (Thin Saliva Powder) to open the airway, this formula is subsequently used as the main treatment.
Wind damaging the Spleen leads to phlegm congestion; however, the generation of phlegm originates from Dampness. Banxia dries Dampness, and Fuling leaches out Dampness; once Dampness is removed, there is no source for phlegm generation. The harm caused by phlegm originates from Spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation. Gancao tonifies the Spleen, and Chenpi promotes Qi circulation; by tonifying the Spleen and promoting Qi, the Earth element is sufficient to control Dampness, and phlegm congestion will cease. This is the principle of Erchen Tang. It is named "Erchen" (Two Aged Ingredients) because Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) are prized for being aged. Detailed examination can be found in the Phlegm Disease section.