Library

This is a miswriting of the character "Jing" (Spasm). "Qiang" refers to stiffness, strength, and rigidity. It manifests as traction and urgency in the neck and nape, with opisthotonos (backward bending of the back). This occurs because Wind-Cold-Dampness pathogens invade the Taiyang channel (Taiyang Channel Disease), damaging the large tendons, causing tendon traction and urgency, thus leading to this condition. However, if caused by Wind-Dampness, the patient will have sweating but no aversion to cold, named Rou Jing (Soft Spasm). In the past, Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig plus Kudzu Root Decoction) was used for treatment, which is correct. If caused by Cold-Dampness, the patient will have no sweating and aversion to cold, named Gang Jing (Hard Spasm). In the past, Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) was used for treatment, which is also correct.

Xiao Xuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) contains Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), which can release the exterior and disperse cold; it contains Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba/Rubra), which can resolve the muscle layer and expel wind; it contains Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Rhizoma), which can expel pathogens and overcome dampness; it contains Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), which can tonify qi and soften tendons; it contains Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), which can harmonize yin and clear heat; the heat nature of Fuzi can warm the meridians and also dispel dampness.

Originally, Jing disease belongs to the Bladder channel pathology, manifesting as trismus (lockjaw) resembling epilepsy and opisthotonos. This is due to wind injury and cold-dampness invasion, hence divided into two syndromes: Soft Spasm and Hard Spasm. No sweating indicates Hard Spasm, which is easy to identify; Gegen Tang is the first choice. Sweating indicates Soft Spasm, with evident signs; Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang is used for emergency rescue. Both syndromes are suitable for Xiao Xuming Tang. For Hard Spasm, remove Guizhi and use Mahuang; for Soft Spasm, remove Mahuang and use Guizhi. Following this method is the most excellent.

Xiao Xuming Tang Formula: Mahuang (remove nodes), Renshen, Huangqin (wine-fried), Baishao (wine-fried), Chuanxiong (wine-washed), Fangji, Xingren (remove skin and tips), Guizhi, Gancao (each 1 qian), Fangfeng, Fuzi (processed, peeled, each 0.5 qian). All ingredients are cut into pieces for one dose, decocted in water, and taken warm.

Gegen Tang Formula: Gegen (2 qian), Mahuang (0.8 fen), Guizhi (0.8 fen), Shaoyao (2 qian), Gancao (0.8 fen). All ingredients are cut into pieces, decocted in water with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Dazao (Jujube), and taken warm.

Regarding the discussion on Hard and Soft Spasms, symptoms include head shaking, trismus, opisthotonos, limb contracture and convulsions, redness of the head and face, neck stiffness and urgency. The treatment method is the same as for Chi Zong (tendon spasms/clonic movements).

Rusheng Yin (Like-Sage Drink): Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Chuanxiong, Gancao, Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Fangfeng, Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Wuyao (Linderae Radix). All ingredients are cut into pieces, decocted in water with Shengjiang. If there is sweating, it is Soft Spasm; add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Guizhi. If there is no sweating, it is Hard Spasm; add Mahuang and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). If there is trismus and teeth grinding with solid stool, add Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to promote bowel movement.

Regarding Jing disease, there are two types: fever and aversion to cold, head and neck traction and stiffness, lumbar spine opisthotonos, trismus, facial redness, and convulsions resembling epilepsy. Sweating indicates Soft Spasm; no sweating indicates Hard Spasm. Use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), removing Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Chaihu, and Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), and adding Chuanxiong, Baishao, Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), and Baifuling (Poria with Hostwood). For Hard Spasm with body heat and facial redness and tight pulse, add Qianghuo, Fangfeng, Huangqin, and Gange (dry Gegen), and remove Baizhu. For Soft Spasm without body heat, cold extremities, and deep-thin pulse, add Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite) and Qianghuo. If there is Wind-Phlegm, add Qianghuo, Fangfeng, Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Pianqing (Scutellariae Radix), Zhuli (Bambusa Textilis Caulis Sap), and Jiangzhi (Zingiberis Recensis Juice); remove Renshen and Baizhu. For Traumatic Wind (tetanus from wounds), add Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Quanxie (Scorpio), Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Nanting (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum), Gualou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen), Zhishi, Huangqin, Jiegeng, Zhuli, and Jiangzhi; remove Baizhu and Renshen. If Jing disease arises from excessive sweating, vomiting, or purging, double the dosage of Renshen, Huangqi, Danggui, Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Qianghuo, and Baizhu in this formula.