Escape Restraint Pill
Chinese Prescription: Yue Ju Wan
English Translation: Escape Restraint Pill
Formula Type: Promote the Movement of Qi
Actions: Promotes the movement of qi & releases constraint.
Indications: Focal distention & a stifling sensation in the chest & abdomen, fixed pain in the hypochondria, belching, vomiting, acid reflux, mild coughing with copious sputum, reduced appetite, & indigestion.
Contraindications: Although this formula can be modified in many ways, it is contraindicated in cases of stagnation due to deficiency. To treat such conditions, one should begin with a base formula such as Six-Gentlemaen Decoction with Aucklandia & Amomum.
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Cang Zhu / Atractylodes (Black) Rhizome |
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Strongly dries dampness & strengthens the Spleen: for dampness obstructing the middle burner & blocking the transportive & transformative functions of the Spleen. Symptoms include reduced appetite, diarrhea, epigastric distention & pressure, fatigue, nausea & vomting, & a thick, greasy tongue coating.
2. Expels wind-dampness: for painful obstruction due to wind-cold-dampness in the extremities.
3. Clears dampness in the lower burner: for damp-heat pouring downward (as in leg qi), vaginal discharge, & swollen, sore joints. Although this herb is warm, it is very effective in drying dampness; when combined with herbs that clear heat, it is used for damp-heat disorders.
4. Induces sweating & releases exterior disorders: for headache, body aches, absence of sweating & /or oozing yin sores due to wind-damp-cold pathogenic influence. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with excessive sweating due to qi deficiency, or yin deficiency with interior heat. Use with caution in cases of loose, watery stools. |
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Chuan Xiong / Lovage Root (Ligusticum) |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood |
Dosage3-6g, up to 9g for irregular menstruation |
Actions1. Invigorates the blood & promotes the movement of qi: for any blood stasis pattern. This is an important herb in gynecology & is used for such problems as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor, or lochioschesis. It is also indicated for patterns of stagnant qi & blood stasis with pain & soreness in the chest, flanks, & hypochondria.
2. Expels wind & alleviates pain: a leading herb for any externally contracted wind disorder characterized by headache, dizziness, or painful obsstruction. Also used for a variety of skin problems caused by wind.
3. Headaches: moves the qi upward & alleviates pain. Depending with which other herbs it is combined, it can be used for headaches due to wind, heat, cold, or blood deficiency. |
MeridiansLiver, Gallbladder, Pericardium |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, headaches due to ascendant Liver yang, qi deficiency, or excessive menstrual bleeding. Vomiting & dizziness may occur from overdosage. May antagonize shan zhu yu & huang qi, may counteract hua shi & huang lian, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
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Xiang Fu / Cyperus Rhizome "Nut-grass" |
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Taste: Acrid, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Spreads & regulatew Liver qi: for constrained Liver qi patterns with hypochondriac pain & epigastric distention, as well as disharmony between the Liver & Spleen. The neutral property of this herb together with its ability to dispers & harmonize account for its widespread use.
2. Regulates menstruation & alleviates pain: used to facilitate the flow of Liver qi in gynecological disorders with such signs as dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation. |
MeridiansLiver, Triple Burner |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of qi deficiency without stagnation, & yin deficiency or heat in the blood. |
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Zhi Zi / Gardenia, Cape Jasmine Fruit |
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Fire |
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Clears heat & eliminates irritability: for heat patterns with fever, irritability, restlessness, a stifling sensation in the chest, insomnia, or delirious speech.
2. Dries damp-heat: for painful urinary dysfunction due to damp-heat in the lower burner; damp-heat & constrained Liver & Gallbladder (middle burner) with jaundice; & damp-heat in the Gallbladder & Triple Burner channels of the face, affecting the nose & eyes or causing sores in the mouth or facial region.
3. Cools the blood & stops bleeding: for heat in the blood with such symptoms as nosebleed, or blood in the vomit, stool, or urine. For this purpose, the herb is partiallly charred.
4. Reduces swelling & moves blood stasis due to trauma: for this purpose, apply topically as a powder mixed with egg white or vinegar. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Lung, Stomach, Triple Burner |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of loose stool or loss of appetite due to cold from deficiency. |
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Shen Qu / Medicated Leaven - per box |
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Taste: Sweet, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Relieve Food Stagnation • Sub Category: |
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Reduces food stagnation & harmonizes the Stomach: for Stomach cold with food stagnation or accumuation, with such symptoms as epigastric & abdominal fullness or distention, lack of appetite, borborygmus, & diarrhea.
2. Also added to pills that contain minerals to aid in their digestion. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy. Contraindicated in cases with Stomach fire. |