Decoction for Tonifying the Middle and Benefiting Qi

內外傷辨惑論

-- When the spleen pattern is first contracted, then qi is high and there is panting, body heat and vexation, the pulse is surging and large with headache, or thirst does not stop, and the skin cannot bear wind-cold, producing chills and fever. (Pi Wei Lun, volume 2)

Astragalus (for severe illness, or fever due to overexertion, 1 qian); Licorice (the above each 5 fen, honey-fried); Ginseng (remove nodes, 3 fen; if there is cough, omit it); Danggui body (3 fen; roast dry with wine or sun-dry, to harmonize blood vessels); Tangerine peel (do not remove the white part, 2 or 3 fen, to guide Qi; it can also benefit original Qi; it works only when combined with sweet drugs; if used alone, it drains the Spleen and Stomach); Cimicifuga (2 or 3 fen, guides Stomach Qi to ascend and return to its original position, thus executing the spring-ascending command); Bupleurum (2 or 3 fen, guides clear Qi, moves Shaoyang Qi upward); Atractylodes (3 fen, descends heat in the Stomach, disinhibits blood between the waist and umbilicus). The above drugs are coarsely cut; make all as one dose. Use 2 cups of water, decoct to 1 cup. Depending on weak or strong Qi, adjust the size of the water cup according to the illness. Remove dregs; take slightly warm, away from meals. If the damage is severe, it heals within no more than two doses; if the illness is prolonged, use flexible addition/subtraction methods to treat it. (Treatise on Spleen and Stomach)

The above drugs are coarsely cut; make all as one dose. Use 2 cups of water, decoct to 1 cup, remove dregs, and take slightly warm away from meals (modern usage: decoct in water. Or prepared as Pill form, 10–15 g per dose, 2–3 times daily, taken with warm boiled water or ginger decoction).

湯劑

Tonify the middle and boost Qi, raise yang and lift prolapse.

1. Rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, gastric ptosis, chronic diarrhea, and chronic dysentery due to middle Qi sinking. 2. Qi deficiency fever pattern. Fever, spontaneous sweating, thirst with preference for hot drinks, lack of Qi and disinclination to speak, fatigue and weakness of the limbs, pale tongue, white coating, and weak and soft pulse.

Spleen deficiency with exuberant dampness syndrome; liver cirrhosis with ascites; muscle atrophy, weak and powerless limbs: combine with Shenling Baizhu San. -- Liver disease, hepatitis B (type B hepatitis, hepatitis B), liver failure; hemorrhoids, anal fistula: combine with Guizhi Fuling Wan. -- In liver disease with severe Blood stasis: combine with Xuefu Zhuyu Tang. -- Incessant dripping menstruation: combine with Danggui Shaoyao San. -- Thyroid enlargement or goiter/neck tumor: combine with Sanzhong Kuijian Tang. -- Hernia: combine with Daoqi Tang. -- Severe edema, or ascites: add Yimucao: 60. -- Severe constipation, or renal failure: add Dahuang: 6. -- Rectal prolapse, gastroptosis: add Zhike: 6, Gegen: 20. -- If Yang deficiency, with pale-white, enlarged tongue with teeth marks and watery slippery coating: add Ganjiang: 10, prepared Fuzi: 10. -- Pulmonary tuberculosis with cough, or diabetes with wasting-thirst syndrome: add Wuweizi: 6, Maimendong: 10. -- Postpartum lochia not ending, or postpartum hemorrhage: add Aiye: 10, Yimucao: 30, Huangming Jiao: 10.

Contraindicated in those with Yin deficiency fever and intense internal heat.