Sargassum Decoction for the Jade Flask
Chinese Prescription: Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang
English Translation: Sargassum Decoction for the Jade Flask
Formula Type: Transform Phlegm and Dissipate Nodules
Actions: Transforms phlegm, softens hard masses, reduces & dissipates goiter.
Indications: Masses in the center of the neck that are rock-like in hardness, immobile, cause no change in the color of the skin, & do not ulcerate. The tongue has a thin, greasy coating, & the pulse is wiry & slippery.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases where the swelling has ulcerated. The formula strongly regulates the qi & should not be used without modification for patients with significant deficiency.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
---|---|---|
view: Hai Zao |
Sargassum Herb | 3g (9g) |
view: Kun Bu |
Kombu | 3g (9g) |
view: Hai Dai |
Laminaria | 1.5g (9g) |
view: Zhe Bei Mu |
Thunberg Fritillaria Bulb | 3g (9g) |
view: Ban Xia |
Prepared Pinellia Rhizome | 3g (9g) |
view: Du Huo |
Pubescent Angelica Root | 3g (9g) |
view: Chuan Xiong |
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome / Ligusticum Wallichi | 3g (6g) |
view: Dang Gui |
Angelica Sinensis | 3g (9g) |
view: Qing Pi |
Tangerine /Citrus Peel, Unripened | 3g (6g) |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 3g (4.5g) |
view: Lian Qiao |
Forsythia Fruit | 3g (9g) |
view: Gan Cao |
Licorice | 3g |
Hai Zao / Seaweed (Sargassum) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Salty • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage4.5-15g |
Actions1. Clears heat & reduces phlegm nodules: for neck nodules such as goiter & scrofula.2. Promotes urination & reduces edema: an adjunctive herb for edema due to leg qi or floating edema. 3. Also traditioanlly used for the pain associated with hernial disorder. |
MeridiansKidney, Liver, Lung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with cold from deficiency of the Spleen or Stomach. May be incompatible with gan cao. |
Kun Bu / Kelp Thallus | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Salty • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage4.5-15g |
Actions1. Reduces phlegm & softens areas of hardness: for various kinds of nodules in the neck or sensation of fullness & obtruction in the chest caused by phlegm.2. Promotes urination & reduces swelling: because this action is weak, it is used as an adjunctive herb for edema & leg qi. |
MeridiansKidney, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of cold from Spleen &/or Stomach deficiency. |
Hai Dai / Zostera | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Salty • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage10-15g decoction |
ActionsDissolves phlegm, softens hardness; Regulates water circulation |
MeridiansLiver, Stomach, Kidney |
CautionsUse with caution in patients with spleen & stomach deficiency & cold, & in patients with phlegm due to cold |
Zhe Bei Mu / Fritillaria - Zhejiang | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage3-9g, never raw herb - toxic |
Actions1. Clears & transforms phlegm-heat: for acute Lung heat patterns with productive cough.2. Clears heat & dissipates nodules: for phlegm-fire which congeals & causes neck swellings. Also important for Lung & breast abscesses & swellings. Zhe Bei Mu - Zhejiang Fritillaria Bulb is better for cough due to heat (excess). Chuan Bei Mu - Sichuan Fritillaria Bulb is better for cough due to dryness due to deficiency. |
MeridiansHeart, Lung |
CautionsIneffective in coughs due to phlegm secondary to damp-cold. May be incompatible with wu tou. |
Ban Xia / Pinellia (Prepared) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold | |||
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, & causes rebellious qi to descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of phlegm-cold in the Lungs. Especially effective in transforming phlegm due to dampness of the Spleen.2. Harmonizes the Stomach & stops vomiting: for lingering phlegm-dampness in the Stomach that rebels upward, causing nausea & vomiting. 3. Dissipates nodules & reduces distention: for nodules, pressure, distention, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the chest, phlegm nodules in the neck (such as those of goiter & scrofula), or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body. Also for focal distention in the chest & epigastrium. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in all cases of bleeding, cough due to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases with heat. May be incompatible with wu tou. Toxic: overdosage symptoms include feeling of burning & numbness in the throat, lips, queasy stomach & nausea, & a feeling of pressure in the chest. For recovery, administer raw ginger orally. |
Du Huo / Angelica Root (Pubescent) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Dispel Wind-Damp-Cold • Sub Category: Pain Relieving | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Dispels wind-dampness & alleviates pain: for such disorders as wind-cold-damp painful obstruction, especially in the lower back & legs. Can be used for both acute & chronic conditions.2. Disperses wind-cold-dampness & releases the exterior: for exterior wind-cold together with dampness. 3. Also used for lesser yin stage headache & toothache. |
MeridiansKidney, Bladder |
CautionsContraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Chuan Xiong / Lovage Root (Ligusticum) | |||
---|---|---|---|
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. |
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. |
Qing Pi / Tangerine (unripened) Peel | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Spreads the Liver qi & breaks up stagnant qi: for constrained Liver qi patterns with such symptoms as distention & pain in the chest, breast, or hypochondriac regions, or hernial pain.2. Dissipates clumps & reduces stagnation: for food stagnation with accumulation which manifests as pain, distention, or a stifling sensation in the epigastrium. Often used for rather severe food stagantion, & for masses when stagnant qi progresss to blood stasis. 3. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: for phlegm dampness with malarial disorders. Especially useful for breast abscesses with this etiology. 4. Recently used for raising blood pressure. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of qi deficiency. |
Chen Pi / Citrus (Tangerine) Peel - Aged, Matured | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates the qi, improves the transportive funaction of the Spleen, adjusts the middle, & relieves the diaphragm: for Spleen or Stomach, stagnant qi patterns with such symptoms as epigastic or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, & nausea & vomiting. This herb promotes the movement of qi in general while specifically directing it downward. Its is therefore commonly used in treating many different types of nausea & vomiting.2. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: an important herb for phlegm-damp coughs with a stifling sensation in the chest & /or diaphragm, & copious, viscous sputum. Also used for damp turbidity obstructing the middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stool, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. An important qi-level herb of both the Spleen & Lung channels, it is especially appropriate for disorders involving both channels. 3. Helps prevent stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of dry cough due to yin or qi deficiency. Use with caution when the tongue is red, & in cases with hot phlegm or dry heat coughs, or spittting of blood. |
Lian Qiao / Forsythia Fruit | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Slightly Acrid • Temperature: Cool • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Relieve Toxicity | |||
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Clears heat & toxin & dissipates nodules: for all hot sores, carbuncles, & neck lumps.2. Expels externally contracted wind-heat: for such symptoms as pronounced fever, slight chills, sore throat, & headache. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Gallbladder |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Spleen & Stomach deficiency with diarrhea, carbuncles that have already ulcerated, & cold (yin) ulcers. |
Gan Cao / Licorice Root (Chinese) | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral (raw root) • Category: Tonic / Harmonize • 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. |