Library

Treats excess fire in the Liver channel. Symptoms include dizziness and vertigo, deafness and tinnitus, palpitations with convulsions, restlessness and mania, constipation, dysuria, or pain in the chest and hypochondrium, and swelling of the scrotum. For all conditions belonging to excess fire of the Liver channel, this formula is suitable.

Danggui Lure Wan (Angelica Sinensis and Aloe Pill) consists of Danggui (Angelicae Radix), Lure (Aloe), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Shexiang (Moschus), two types of Xiang (Muxiang and Chenxiang), four types of Huang (Dahuang, Huanglian, Huangbai, Huangqin), and Longdancao (Gentianae Radix), totaling eleven ingredients. (Dosages: Danggui and Longdancao are washed with wine; Zhizi, Huanglian, Huangbai, and Huangqin are each 1 liang; Dahuang, Qingdai are water-washed, and Lure is 5 qian; Muxiang is 2.5 qian; Shexiang is 0.5 qian, stir-fried. Formed into pills with Shenqu paste, taken with ginger decoction, 20 pills per dose.)

Chen Xiuyuan stated: Each of the five Zang organs has its own fire, but Liver fire is the most rampant. Once Liver fire moves, it often carries the fire of other meridians, supporting each other to cause harm. Therefore, Qingdai, Lure, and Longdancao are used to enter the Liver meridian and directly subdue it. Additionally, Huangqin clears Lung fire, Huanglian clears Heart fire, Huangbai clears Kidney fire, and Zhizi clears Sanjiao fire, dispersing and clearing the fire of various meridians. Thus, the most rampant Liver fire loses its allies and is pacified. However, excessive fire leads to blood deficiency, so Danggui, which nourishes blood, is used as the Sovereign herb. Excessive fire leads to stomach excess/stagnation, so Dahuang, which unblocks stagnation, is used as the Minister herb. "Excess Qi becomes Fire," so Shexiang directs righteous Qi, Shenqu transforms and guides accumulated Qi, and Muxiang circulates stagnant Qi, serving as Assistant herbs. When Qi descends, Fire also descends, which is a natural tendency. Moreover, with Huangqin, Huanglian, Zhizi, and Huangbai clearing respective meridians, and Qingdai, Lure, and Longdancao directly subduing the Liver meridian, they coordinate internally and externally as Envoy herbs. The formulation principle is unique, previously obscured by mediocre interpretations, which is now specifically elucidated.

Indicated for hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia) in women, red leukorrhea, and strangury.

Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) consists of Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), and Danpi (Moutan Cortex). (Dosages: Shengdi (Raw Rehmanniae Radix) 1.5 liang, Baishao (White Paeoniae Radix) 1 liang, Danpi and Xijiao each 2.5 qian. Take 5 qian per dose.) It treats conditions caused by blood heat rising, stomach fire, and heat pathogen interference, as well as macules, jaundice, and Yang toxicity. If Liver depression is present, Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Huangqin can be added to generally subdue Liver fire.

Ke Yunbo stated: Qi belongs to Yang, Blood belongs to Yin. When Yang is dense, it secures Yin. When Yang is excessive, it injures Yin. When Yin and Yang are balanced, if Yin is deficient, Yang will inevitably converge upon it. Therefore, excess Qi is Fire. When Fire enters the Blood chamber, Blood fails to nourish the meridians and follows rebellious Qi to flow recklessly upward from the mouth and nose, or downward from the two bowels. Although there are distinctions between being in the meridians or fu organs, ultimately these are caused by Heat affecting the Heart and Liver. The Heart is the master of Ying-Blood; when Heart Fire is excessive, Blood is restless. Therefore, Xijiao and Shengdi, with sour, salty, sweet, and cold properties, are used to clear the Sovereign Fire (Heart Fire). The Liver is the residence storing Blood; when Liver Fire is excessive, Blood does not remain contained. Therefore, Danpi and Shaoyao, with bitter, pungent, and slightly cold properties, are used to pacify the Minister Fire (Liver Fire). Although this formula is named for clearing Fire, it is essentially a Yin-nourishing agent. Because blood loss leads to Yin deficiency, and Yin deficiency leads to Qi deficiency, those with insufficient Yin should be supplemented with substantial flavors, without damaging their Qi. If one uses Huangqin, Huanglian, Longdancao, Zhizi, and Huangbai to drain Qi, then for those with severe Yang, the bitter flavor will transform into Fire due to dryness; for those with already depleted Yang, Qi will scatter due to bitterness, leading to uncontrollable escalation like a prairie fire.