Prescriptions for Regulating the Liver and Spleen
Xiaoyao San
Name
Ease Powder
The Prescription of Xiaoyao San
Source
The book Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang
Ingredients
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 9 g,Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9 g,Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9 g,Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 9 g,Fu Ling (Poria) 9 g,Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 4.5 g,Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 6 g,Bo He (Herba Menthae) 3 g.Explanation
Chai Hu: The principal drug, being bitter and pungent in flavor and slightly cold in nature, soothing the liver to promote the circulation of Qi.
Dang Gui and Bai Shao: Nourishing blood, tonifying the liver.
Bai Zhu and Fu Ling: Strengthening the spleen, replenishing Qi.
Bo He: Assisting Chai Hu in soothing the liver and promoting the circulation of Qi.
Sheng Jiang: Warming up the stomach, regulating the middle-Jiao.
Zhi Gan Cao: Replenishing Qi and strengthening the middle-Jiao, getting together with Bai Shao to check the hyperactivity of the liver.
The Effect of Xiaoyao San
Effect
Soothing the liver and promoting the circulation of Qi, invigorating the spleen and nourishing blood.
Indications
Syndrome due to stagnation of the liver-Qi deficiency of blood and failure of the spleen in transportation, marked by pain in the hypochondriac region, alternate attacks of chills and fever, headache, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, lassitude, poor appetite, or irregular menstruation, distention of the breast, pale reddish tongue, and deficient and wiry pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic hepatitis, irregular menstruation, chronic gastritis, etc.
Administrations
Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice (Taken in the form of powder originally)
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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