Rhubarb and Coptis Heart-Draining Decoction

傷寒論

When there is stuffiness below the heart, soft on pressure, and the pulse is floating at the guan position, Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Tang governs it. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage)) -- After Cold Damage and drastic purgation, sweating is again induced; if there is stuffiness below the heart and aversion to cold, the exterior is not yet resolved. One must not attack the stuffiness; one should first resolve the exterior. Only after the exterior is resolved may one attack the stuffiness. To resolve the exterior, Guizhi Tang is appropriate; to attack the stuffiness, Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Tang is appropriate. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage))

Rhubarb two liang; Coptis one liang. For the above two ingredients, steep them in two sheng of ma fei tang (boiling water); after a short while, wring out and remove the dregs. Divide and take warm again. (Shang Han Za Bing Lun)

Steep in two sheng of ma fei tang (hot water); after a short while, wring out and remove the dregs. Divide and take warm again.

湯劑

Clear heat and disperse stuffiness.

Pattern of stuffiness and fullness below the heart, hard on pressure, or soft on pressure with difficult bowel movement. However, there must be a bitter taste in the mouth, or a preference for cold food and drink, or a subjective sensation of internal heat.

If there is yang deficiency, with a pale, white, swollen, enlarged tongue with tooth marks and a slippery, watery coating: add prepared aconite 10, dried ginger 10.