典藏书目

Pain in the heart and abdomen is caused by dampness of the Earth element (Spleen/Stomach) leading to the encroachment of the Wood element (Liver/Gallbladder). If dampness of the Earth causes the Stomach Qi and Gallbladder Qi to rebel upward, pain occurs in the chest and heart region; if dampness causes Liver Qi and Spleen Qi to sink downward, pain occurs in the lower abdomen.

If the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner/Spleen-Stomach) Qi collapses and fails, and Wood pathogenic factors invade internally, the Qi mechanism neither ascends nor descends, resulting in pain at the umbilicus, which is even more severe. Generally, pain in the upper part indicates more Heat and less Wind, while pain in the lower part indicates more Wind and less Heat. However, investigating the root cause, it always belongs to pathology induced by Damp-Cold.

For instance, if pain is in the chest/heart region with predominant Heat, Chaihu Muli Tang (Bupleurum and Oyster Shell Decoction) is the primary formula. If pain is in the lower abdomen with predominant Cold, Jiangling Guizhi Tang (Ginger, Poria, Cinnamon Twig, and Atractylodes Decoction) is the primary formula. If pain is due to food stagnation and requires warm purgation, Dahuang Fuzi Tang (Rhubarb and Aconite Decoction) or Nongpu Qiwu Tang (Magnolia Bark Seven-Ingredient Decoction) are used. If pain is due to fluid retention, Wuling Tang (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) or Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) are used. If pain is due to blood stasis, Guizhi Fuling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill) or Xiayuxue Tang (Decoction for Draining Stagnant Blood) are used. If pain is due to phlegm accumulation, Jiangling Banxia Tang (Ginger, Poria, and Pinellia Decoction) is used. If pain is due to parasitic accumulation, Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) is used. If there are no accumulated pathogens (such as food, fluid, blood, or phlegm) and the condition is exclusively due to Cold-Dampness, Dajianzhong Tang (Major Construct the Middle Decoction) and Fuzi Jingmi Tang (Aconite and Rice Decoction) are used.

[Chaihu Muli Tang]
Ingredients: Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 3 qian), Mu Li (Ostreae Concha, 1 qian, powdered), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2 qian), Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus, 3 qian), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 3 qian), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 qian).
Usage: Decoct in water until half a cup remains, take warm. If chest bi (obstruction) pain occurs, formulas from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) should still be used.

[Jiangling Guizhi Tang]
Ingredients: Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 3 qian), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2 qian), Fu Ling (Poria, 3 qian), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 3 qian), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 qian), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 3 qian), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 3 qian), Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus, 2 qian).
Usage: Decoct in water until half a cup remains, take warm. If cold is severe, add Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata).

[Dahuang Fuzi Tang]
Ingredients: Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 3 qian), Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, 2 qian).
Usage: Decoct in water until half a cup remains, take warm.

[Nongpu Qiwu Tang]
Ingredients: Nong Pu (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 4 qian), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 2 qian), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, 1.5 qian), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 1.5 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1.5 qian), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 2.5 qian), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus, 2 pieces).
Usage: Decoct in water until half a cup remains, take warm. Add Ban Xia if vomiting occurs; add extra Sheng Jiang if cold is present.

[Wuling Tang] [Shizao Tang]
(See the section on "Tan Yin" [Phlegm-Fluids] for formulas.)

[Guizhi Fuling Wan]
Ingredients: Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Fu Ling (Poria), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (all equal parts), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 3 qian).
Usage: Grind into fine powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of rabbit feces. Take one pill before meals daily. If not cured, increase to three pills per dose.

[Xiayuxue Tang]
Ingredients: Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 3 liang), Tao Ren (Persicae Semen, 20 kernels), E Chong (Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga, 20 pieces, feet and wings removed).
Usage: Grind into fine powder, mix with refined honey to form four pills. Boil one pill in one cup of wine, reduce to eight-tenths of the volume, and take in one dose.

[Jiangling Banxia Tang] [Wumei Wan]
(See the sections on "Tan Yin" [Phlegm-Fluids] and "Hui Chong" [Roundworms] for formulas.)

[Dajianzhong Tang]
Ingredients: Shu Jiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, 2 qian, stir-fried to remove moisture/sweat), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, 4 qian), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix, 2 qian).
Usage: Add two cups of water, decoct to one cup, strain, add Jiao Yi (Maltose, 4 qian), decoct again to eight-tenths, take warm. About the time of one meal preparation, drink half a bowl of hot porridge.

[Fuzi Jingmi Tang]
Ingredients: Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 2 qian, processed), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 4 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian, honey-fried), Jing Mi (Oryza Sativa Var. Glutinosa, 5 qian, wrapped in cloth), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus, 2 pieces), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 qian).
Usage: Decoct in water until half a cup remains, take warm. Divide into three doses throughout day and night.