Peony and Licorice Decoction

傷寒論

Cold damage with a floating pulse, spontaneous sweating, frequent urination, heart vexation, slight aversion to cold, and cramping and tension of the legs: if one instead gives Cinnamon Twig Decoction to attack the exterior, this is an error. After taking it, if there is reversal cold of the limbs, dry throat, restlessness and vomiting with counterflow, prepare Licorice and Dried Ginger Decoction and give it to restore the yang; if the reversal cold has resolved and the feet are warm, then prepare Peony and Licorice Decoction and give it, and the legs will immediately straighten. If there is disharmony of stomach qi with delirious speech, give a small amount of Stomach-Regulating Qi-Coordinating Decoction. If sweating is repeatedly induced, and burning needle is additionally applied, Sini Decoction governs it. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage))

Peony and Licorice (honey-fried), four liang each. For the above two ingredients, use three sheng of water, decoct to obtain one sheng and five ge, remove the dregs, and divide into warm doses to be taken twice. (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases)

Boil six bowls of water down to two bowls; take one bowl warm before meals.

湯劑

Regulate qi and nourish blood, calm and stop pain.

1. Liver yin insufficiency, overcoming and attacking the spleen earth, with abdominal tension and pain. 2. Yin fluid insufficiency, failure to nourish the sinews and vessels, with cramping and tension of the hands and feet.

If Yang deficiency is present, with a pale, enlarged tongue body bearing tooth marks and a wet, slippery coating: add prepared aconite: 10.

Those with soft/flaccid muscles and unformed stools without abdominal pain should use it cautiously.