Regulate the Middle Pill
Chinese Prescription: Li Zhong Wan
English Translation: Regulate the Middle Pill
Formula Type: Warm the Middle and Dispel Cold
Actions: Warms the middle burner & strengthens the Spleen & Stomach.
Indications: Treats a number of different patterns, the most important of which is middle burner cold from deficiency, also known as middle burner yang deficiency, characterized by diarrhea with watery stools, nausea & vomiting, no particular thirst, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, a pale tongue with a white coating, & a submerged, thin pulse.
Contraindications: Because this formula contains ingredients that warm & dry, it should not be used for externally-contracted disorders with fever or yin deficiency. For sudden turmoil disorders, its use should be discontinued once the vomiting & diarrhea have stopped.
|
Gan Jiang / Ginger Root, dried |
|
Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Hot • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Warms the middle & expels cold: for warming the Spleen & Stomach both in conditions of excess due to externally contracted cold, as well as cold from deficiency due to insufficiency of the yang qi.
2. Rescues devastated yang & expels interior cold: for devastated yang with such signs as a very weak pulse & cold limbs.
3. Warms the Lungs & transforms phlegm: for Lung cold with expectoration of thin, watery, or white sputum.
4. Warms the channels & stops bleeding: for cold from deficiency that may present with hemorrhage of various types, especially uterine bleeding. It is used in treating hemorrhage only if the bleeding is chronic & pale in color, & is accompanied by cold limbs, ashen white face, & a soggy, thin pulse. |
MeridiansHeart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, or the reckless movement of hot blood. Use with caution during pregnancy. |
|
Ren Shen / Panax Ginseng |
|
Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi |
Dosage1-9g, up to 30 grams (hemorrhagic shock) |
ActionsRen Shen / Panax Ginseng is used in treating patterns of qi, yang & yin deficiency.
1. Strongly tonifies the basal qi: for extreme collapse of the qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow respiration, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, & a minute or weak pulse. The herb is used alone for this condition after severe loss of blood.
2. Tonifies the Lungs & augments the qi: for wheezing, shortness of breath, & labored breathing with exertion caused by Lung qi deficiency. There is usually also a concurrent failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi.
3. Strengthens the Spleen & tonifies the Stomach: for lethargy, lack of appetite, chest & abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea, & in severe cases, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, or rectum.
4. Generates fluids & stops thirst: for wasting & thirsting disorders, as well as in cases when the qi & fluids have been injured by high fever & profuse sweating.
5. Benefits the Heart qi & calms the spirit: for palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, & restlessness due to qi & blood deficiency.
Notes: Red Ginseng is more warming than White Ginseng. American Ginseng is considered cool and is better suited for those patients having a tendency towards heat signs. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, heat excess, or in the absence of significant qi deficiency. Contraindicated for hypertensive patient with ascendant Liver yang, & in cases of very high blood pressure (systolic over 180mmHg). Overdose can lead to headache, insomnia, palpitations, & a rise in blood pressure. The traditional antidote is mung bean soup. This herb may antagonize wu ling zhi & may be incompatible with li lu. Patients taking this herb are advised to abstain from drinking tea & eating tunips, as this may reduce the effect of the herb. |
|
Bai Zhu / Atractylodes (White) Rhizome |
|
Taste: Bitter, Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: for Spleen or Stomach deficiency with such symptoms as diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, & vomiting.
2. Strengthens the Spleen & dries dampness: for digestive disorders due to Spleen yang failing to rise, with loss of its ability to transform & subsequent accumulation of dampness. Also for edema & reduced urination associated with Spleen deficiency. Used as an auxiliary herb for damp painful obstruction.
3. Stabilizes the exterior & stops sweating: for spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency.
4. Strengthens the Spleen & calms the fetus: for restless fetus disorder, especially when due to Spleen deficiency. Also for other types of this disorder when combined with appropriate herbs. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, or injured fluids. |
|
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. |