Peony Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Shao Yao Tang
English Translation: Peony Decoction
Formula Type: Clear Damp-Heat
Actions: Regulates & harmonizes the qi & blood, clears heat, dries dampness, & resolves toxicity.
Indications: Abdominal pain, tenesmus, difficulty with defecation, diarrhea with pus & blood (equal amounts), a burning sensation around the anus, dark, scanty urine, a greasy, slightly yellow tongue coating, & a rapid pulse.
Contraindications: Should not be used in early stages of food poisoning. Do not use when there is also an external pathogen. Not for chronic dysentery due to cold or deficiency.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
---|---|---|
view: Bai Shao Yao |
White Peony | 30g (15-20g) |
view: Dang Gui |
Angelica Sinensis | 15g (6-9g) |
view: Zhi Gan Cao |
Honey-fried Licorice | 6g (4.5g) |
view: Mu Xiang |
Aucklandia / Saussurea | 6g (4.5g) |
view: Bing Lang |
Areca (Betel Nut) Seed | 6g (4.5g) |
view: Huang Lian |
Coptis / Goldthread | - 15g (6-9g) |
view: Huang Qin |
Scutellaira Baicalensis | 15g (9-12g) |
view: Da Huang |
Rhubarb | 9g (6-9g) |
view: Rou Gui |
Cinnamon Bark | 7.5 (1.5-3g) |
Bai Shao Yao / Peony (White) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Sour • Temperature: Cool • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage6-15g, very large doses up to 30 g |
Actions1. Nourishes the blood & regulates the menses: for blood deficiency with such symptoms as menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge, & uterine bleeding. This is a very commonly used herb for treating women's disorders.2. Calms & curbs the Liver yang & alleviates pain: for such symptoms as flank, chest, or abdominal pain from either constrained Liver qi or disharmony between the Liver & Spleen. In general, this herb is used to "soften & comfort" the Liver, stop painful spasms in the abdomen, stop cramping pain or spasms in the hands & feet, & alleviate abdominal pain associated with dysentric disorders. It is also used for headache & dizziness due to ascendant Liver yang. 3. Preserves the yin & adjusts the nutritive & protective levels: for vaginal discharge & spermatorrhea, as well as exterior wind-cold from deficiency patterns with continuous sweating that does not resolve the problem. It is also used for yin deficiency where the yang floats to the surface causing spontaneous sweating or night sweats. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea due to cold from deficiency, & in patients with weak yang & cold from deficiency. May antagonize shi hu & mang xiao, may counteract with bie jia & xiao ji, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
Dang Gui / Angelica (Chinese) Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet, Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage3-15g |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood & regulates the meses: for patterns of blood deficiency with such symptoms as a pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, & palpitations. Also very commonly used fro blood deficiency associated with menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.2. Invigorates & harmonizes the blood & disperses cold: an important herb for stopping pain due to blood stasis. Commonly used for abdominal pain, traumatic injury, & carbuncles due to blood stasis, especially when there is also cold from deficiency. Also used in the treatment of blood deficiency with chronic wind-damp painful obstruction. 3. Moistens the Intestiones & unblocks the bowels: for dry Intestines due to blood deficiency. 4. Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, & alleviates pain: used in treating sores & abscesses where its ability to both tonify & invigorate the blood leads to improvement. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |
Mu Xiang / Saussurrea or Aucklandia Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Promotes the movement of qi & alleviates pain: for Speen or Stomach stagnant qi with such symptoms as lack of appetite, epigastric or abdominal pain or distention, nausea, & vomiting. Also used for stagnant Liver or Gallbladder qi with such symptoms as flank pain, distention, or soreness.2. Adjusts & regulates stagnant qi in the Intestines: for diarrhea & dysentric disrders, or for abdominal pain & tenesmus. Because of its slightly astringent property, this is a common herb for treatnig tenesmus. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & prevents stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to ameliorate their side effects. Especially useful when the transformative & transportive functions of the Spleen are weak. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency or depleted fluids. |
Bing Lang / Betel Nut, Areca Seeds | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: • Temperature: • Category: Expel Parasites • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage6-12g, 60-120g alone for tapeworms |
Actions |
Meridians |
Cautions |
Huang Lian / Coptis Rhizome | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp | |||
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Drains fire & relieves toxicity for heat with blazing fire with such symptoms as high fever, irritability, disorientation, delirium, red tongue, & a rapid full pulse. Also for exessive heat with toxicity with such symptoms as painful, red eyes & sore throat & for boils, carbuncles, & abscesses.2. Clears heat & drains dampness: for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines that presents with diarrhea or dysenteric disorder. Also for vomiting &/or acid regurgitation due to Stomach heat. 3. Clears Heart fire: for irritability & insomnia due to lack of communication between the Heart & Kidneys. 4. Clears heat & stops bleeding: for nosebleed, or blood in the urine, stool, or vomit due to reckless moevement of the blood. 5. Drains Stomach fire: for digestive dysfunction with bad breath & belching with a putrid odor. 6. Clears heat topically: used topically for red & painful eyes & ulcerations of the tongue & mouth. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, nausea or vomiting due to Stomach cold from deficiency, & diarrhea due to Spleen or Kidney deficiency. Long-term use is discouraged as it can injure the Spleen & Stomach. This herb may antagonize ju hua, xuan shen, bai xian pi, & jiang can, & may counteract kuan dong hua & niu xi. Some also say that it should not be taken with pork. |
Huang Qin / Scute or Baical Skullcap Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp | |||
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Clears heat & drains fire, especially from the upper burner: for heat patterns with high fever, irritability, thirst, cough, & expectoration of thick, yellow sputum, or hot sores & swellings. In treating the latter it can be applied topically or taken internally.2. Clears heat & dries dampness: a major herb for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines, which manifests as diarrhea or dyenteric disorder; damp warm-febrile disease, which presents with fever, stifling senstaion in the chest, & thirst but inability to drink; or for damp-heat in the lower burner with painful urinary dysfunction. Used as a an auxiliary herb for damp-heat jaundice. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Large Intestine, Lung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of heat from deficiency in the Lungs, cold diarrhea o any other condition with cold in the middle burner, & restless fetus due to cold in the blood. May counteract mu dan pi & li lu. |
Da Huang / Rhubarb Rhizome | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Downward Draining • Sub Category: Purgative | |||
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Drains heat & purges accumulations: for high fever, profuse sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal pain & distention, delirium, yellow tongue coating, & a full pulse. This presentation is referred to either as Intestinal heat excess or the yang brightness organ-stage of the six stages of disease.2. Drains damp-heat via the stool, especially in cases of damp-heat jaundice or acute, hot dysentric disorders. Also for painful urinary dysfunction. 3. Drains heat from the blood: for blood in the stool either from bleeding hemorrhoids or heat accumulating in the Intestines. Also for reckless movement of hot blood that overflows, manifested in vomiting blood or nosebleed accompanied by constipation. 4. Invigorates the blood & dispels blood stasis: for amenorrhea, immobile abdominal masses, or fixed pain due to blood stasis. Also for blood stasis due to traumatic injury or Intestinal abscess. This is an important herb for treating both recent & long-terms blood stasis. 5. Clears heat obstructing the blood level: for fever, hot, swollen & painful eyes, or fire toxin sores due to heat excess obstructing the blood level. 6. Clears heat & reduces fire toxicity: used either topically or internally for burns or hot skin lesions. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of exterior disorders, qi or blood deficiency, cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Stomach. Use with exteme caution during pregnancy, menstruation, or post partum. Contraindicated for nursing mothers because the active ingredients enter the milk. |
Rou Gui / Cinnamon, (inner bark) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Sweet • Temperature: Hot • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-4.5g, crush into small pieces before using, usually taken as powder, pill or tincture to avoid loss of volatile oils |
Actions1. Warms the Kidneys & fortifies the yang: for a wide variety of problems due to insufficiency of Kidney yang & waning of the gate of vitality. Common manifestations include aversion to cold, cold limbs, weak back, impotence, frequent urination. Also for waning of the Spleen & Kidney yang with abdominal pain & cold, reduced appetite, & diarrhea. Also important for wheezing due to the failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi.2. Leads the fire back to its source: the principal herb for treating the upward-floating of the deficient yang. Manifestations include flushed face, wheezing, severe sweating (when the sweat pours out like oil), weak & cold lower extremities, & a deficient & rootless pulse. This patterns is called illusionary heat & true cold, or heat above/cold below. Also used for other conditions where the upper part of the body is hot (e.g., dry mouth, sore throat, or toothache that become worse at night) & the lower part is cold (e.g., lower back pain, cold lower extremities, diarrhea, weakness in the proximal position of the pulse). 3. Disperses deep cold, warms the channels, unblocks the channels & vessels, & alleviates pain: for deep cold causing qi stagnation or blood stasis. Associated problems include cold in the blood causing amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, damp-cold painful obstruction, yin type boils (chronic sores that are usually concave & ooze a clear fluid), & abcesses or sores that do not heal. 4. Encourages the generation of qi & blood: with qi & blood tonics as an auxiliary herb for chronic deficiency of qi & blood. |
MeridiansHeart, Kidney, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, interior excess heat, & the reckless movement of hot blood. Use with caution during pregnancy. |