Bupleurum Decoction to Soothe the Liver

證治準繩引醫學統旨方

-- Treats damage to the liver by anger fire, left hypochondriac pain, and Blood stasis above... For vomiting blood, add half a cup of child's urine. (Yi Xue Tong Zhi)

Aged tangerine peel, vinegar-fried; Bupleurum, 2 qian each. Ligusticum chuanxiong; Bitter orange, bran-fried; Peony, 1.5 qian each. Prepared Licorice, 5 fen. Cyperus, 1.5 qian. One and a half cups of water; decoct down to eight fen. Take before meals. (Jing Yue Quan Shu)

Decoct six bowls of water down to two bowls; take before meals.

湯劑

Soothe the liver and move qi, invigorate blood, and stop pain.

Chest and hypochondriac pain, alternating cold and heat, or belching, acid regurgitation, or breast distension and pain caused by Liver Qi stagnation, Qi stagnation, and Blood stasis; the tongue is slightly dark with a thin coating, and the pulse is wiry and choppy.

Liver Qi stagnation and blood deficiency: combine with Free and Easy Wanderer Powder. -- Breast distension and pain during menstruation: add Vaccaria 10.

This formula is aromatic, pungent, and drying, and easily consumes qi and damages yin, so it is not suitable for prolonged use. If hypochondriac pain is accompanied by dry mouth, red tongue with scant coating, and other patterns of liver yin insufficiency, it should be combined with blood-nourishing and yin-enriching medicinals.