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Treats severe pain in the abdomen.
Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig, peeled) 3 fen, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger, sliced) 3 fen, Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried) 0.5 liang, Dazao (Jujube, split) 12 pieces, Baishao (White Peony Root) 1.5 liang, Jiaoyi (Maltose) 2 sheng.
Take the above ingredients with 2 sheng of water, decoct to obtain 9 he, remove the dregs, add Jiaoyi, and heat gently over fire again until the Jiaoyi melts. Take 3 he warm each time, three times a day.
Once, a person suffered from unbearable heart and abdominal pain. Multiple treatments by competent physicians were ineffective. Moxibustion applied to more than ten acupoints also failed to improve the condition. Chen Cheng, a scholar proficient in medicine, administered a single prescription that stabilized the patient. Upon inquiry, it was revealed to be Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction). This formula specifically treats deficiency-cold in the abdomen, nourishes blood, and is particularly indicated for abdominal pain. Ordinary people, seeing its mild and neutral nature, may not believe in its efficacy. Ancients used only such gentle substances for tonifying deficiency, without needing Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root) or Liuhuang (Sulfur). Chen Cheng used this formula, treating abdominal pain with miraculous effect. However, if abdominal pain worsens upon palpation but does not hurt significantly upon heavy pressure, it is merely Qi stagnation pain; if heavy pressure increases pain and the abdomen feels hard with masses, there are likely accumulations present. Qi stagnation pain should not be treated with purgatives, as purging will exacerbate the pain; this is a deficiency-cold syndrome, for which this formula is highly appropriate. According to Waitai Miyao (Secret Essentials of the Outer Cabinet), for deficiency consumption causing abdominal pain, nocturnal seminal emission, soreness and pain in the four limbs, vexing heat in the hands and feet, dry throat and mouth, and lower abdominal pain in women, one should take formulas from Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage). If the Yang pulse is choppy and the Yin pulse is wiry, according to the method, acute abdominal pain should occur; first administer this formula (Xiaojianzhong Tang). If ineffective, treat with Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). Both formulas treat abdominal pain; I have already discussed them under the entry for Xiaochaihu Tang. If prepared as a powder, take 5 qianbi per dose, with 5 slices of Shengjiang, 3 large Dazao, and a piece of Jiaoyi the size of a chestnut. If the disease severity is high, a decoction must be prepared; taking powder may not provide sufficient therapeutic force. During the Yuanfeng era, Chancellor Wang Xungong suffered from incessant lower abdominal pain. The Emperor dispatched imperial physicians who employed exhaustive treatment methods, yet all were ineffective. Even extremely hot-natured medicines, such as Wuye Wan (Five-Night Pill) containing Fuzi and Liuhuang, proved ineffective. Zhang Duwei, a Prince Consort, ordered the collection of oily hair from women, burned it to ash, finely ground and sieved it, then administered 2 qian with warm wine, resulting in immediate cessation of pain. (For female patients, use male hair.)