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(Yan Yonghe)

Treats hemiplegic numbness and stiffness, pain in bone joints, difficulty in walking, slurred speech, deviation of the mouth and eyes, rapid breathing with phlegm in the throat caused by Wind-stroke (Stroke). (This is because excess Wind causes Qi stagnation: when Qi stagnates in the skin, it manifests as numbness; when it stagnates in bone joints, it causes painful discomfort; when it stagnates in meridians, it leads to slurred speech and difficult movement; when it stagnates in the face and mouth, it causes deviation of the mouth and eyes; when it stagnates in the chest and throat, it generates phlegm.)

Wuyao (Linderae Radix), Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum, 2 qian), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba,節 removed), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, stir-fried, 1 qian), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, silk mouth removed).

Add Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix).

These are herbs belonging to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. When Wind is excessive, Fire blazes, causing Phlegm-Fire to rush upward; this indicates rebellion of Interior Qi. However, Stroke must be triggered by external contraction of Wind-Cold.

Baizhi acts on the head and face, dispersing Wind and invigorating Blood (when Blood flows freely, Wind dissipates); Zhike and Jiegeng promote Qi circulation and resolve Phlegm (regulating Qi is essential for resolving Phlegm; Juhong also aids in releasing the Exterior); Jiangcan clears Heat, transforms Phlegm, and dissipates nodules (silkworms become rigid due to Wind disease; possessing the nature of clearing and transforming, it treats Wind diseases and dissipates Phlegm caused by rebellious Ministerial Fire); Heijiang (Black Ginger) warms the meridians and unblocks Yang; Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) harmonizes the Middle Jiao and drains Fire; Wuyao promotes the circulation of various Qi obstructions caused by pathogenic factors. This formula first releases the Exterior Qi while simultaneously smoothing Interior Qi; when Qi flows smoothly, Wind dissipates.

In cases of sudden invasion by Wind pathogens, one should first treat the branch (symptoms); however, this is not suitable for patients with Qi deficiency and chronic illness. (Cold limbs, copious phlegm obstruction, locked jaw, hidden pulse, and warm body indicate Stroke; cold body indicates Qi Strike [Zhong Qi]. Stroke is often accompanied by saliva/phlegm, whereas Qi Strike lacks phlegm/saliva; this serves as a differentiation criterion. Qi Strike caused by anger is particularly common; Ju Fang uses this formula to treat it. Xu Xueshi stated: Violent anger injures Yin, violent joy injures Yang, and persistent worry leads to Qi rebellion, often resulting in Qi Strike syndrome, which should not be treated as Stroke. Yu Jiayan stated: Stroke syndromes often involve Qi Strike. Yan Yonghe stated: If a person's Yuan Qi is strong, how can external pathogens cause harm? It must be that True Qi is deficient first, and Ying-Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) are sparse, allowing pathogens to enter through the deficiency. If caused by internal emotional factors, the treatment method should regulate Qi, not treat Wind; if caused by external Six Excesses (Six Evils), one should first regulate Qi, and then treat according to the specific Six Qi contracted. This is an excellent method, recommending Bawei Shunqi San, which contains Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Gancao, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Baizhi, and Wuyao, without using the Wind-dispersing herbs like Jiegeng, Mahuang, or Jiangcan from the previous formula. This embodies the profound principle of treating Qi first and Wind second. Some later practitioners objected, suggesting the addition of Baizhi, unaware that Baizhi is aromatic but not drying, making it an excellent herb for harmonizing Ying-Wei. Ju Fang combines both formulas, using Renshen, Baizhu, Chenpi, Gancao, Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Chuanxiong, Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Jiegeng, Mahuang, Baizhi, and adding Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) to treat headache, nasal congestion, and heavy voice caused by contracted Wind, which remains appropriate. Yují Wei Yi states: Yan’s theory here surpasses predecessors, but his herbal selection is not perfect. Why? Si Junzi Tang supplements Spleen and Stomach; adding Baizhi removes Wind from the Hand-Yangming meridian, Wuyao unblocks Qi between Kidney and Stomach, Chenpi regulates Lung Qi, and Qingpi vents Liver Qi. If Wind truly resides in the Hand-Yangming, Lung, Liver, Stomach, or Kidney meridians, and the patient has Qi excess, it may be used. However, there are twelve meridians, and the Qi of the five Zang organs fluctuate in dominance; how can this single formula account for all variations? Moreover, it is difficult to use in individuals whose True Qi is already deficient.)