Pamela Alt

Medical Chinese

6/16/04

from Shang Han Lun Xian Dai Yan Jiu Yu Lin Chuang Ying Yong( Meng Yong Li, et.al; p. 131- 135)

This formula is used for cold damaging the interior and causing stagnation and heat.  When the heat goes into the interior, and then  is unable to drain from the body, it can cause a variety of conditions, including ( but not limited to) yang-type( bright yellow)  jaundice.   It is interior heat manifesting on the exterior.  The article includes 6 case studies with formula modifications – chronic hepatitis, nephritis ( here, specifically, feng shui xiang bo ( wind and water mutually contending)), urticaria, itchy skin, asthma,  and allergic rhinitis. 

An interesting note: In the case study about chronic hepatitis, the authors note that one can first use Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Xiao Dou Tang for a yang-type jaundice, where interior heat shows up on the surface of the body.    If this does not work, one can try using Yin Chen Hao Tang.  

Ingredients:

Ma Huang  6 qian

Lian Qiao  6 qian

Tao Ren  10 qian

Dan Dou Chi  15 qian

Da Zao  12 pieces

Sheng Zi Bai Pi  15 qian

Sheng Jiang 6 qian

Zhi Gan Cao  6 qian

To prepare the formula, one first soaks Ma Huang and brings 2000 milliliters to a boil, and then removes the froth.  The other herbs are then added; and approximately 2/3 of the water is boiled off.  The dregs are removed, and the patient takes 3 doses of the herb, warm, within the period of one-half of a day.

The authors caution against using Ma Huang for a long period of time, and recommends that larger doses of Lian Qiao and Dan Dou Chi be used for severe cases.  The formula is  contraindicated for a person who has jaundice caused by damp cold or for  heat internally stopped up with no exterior symptoms.  

The discussion  concludes with a note that this formula contains San Ao Tang ( which contains Ma Huang, Xing Ren, and Gan Cao and releases exterior cold, disseminates lung qi, and releases exterior cold), but lays particular emphasis on inducing sweat and releasing the exterior. It is further similar to Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang( which contains Ma Huang, Shi Gao, Xing Ren, and Zhi Gan Cao and facilitates the flow of qi, clears heat and calms wheezing, descends the lung qi and treats heat lodged in the lungs where it obstructs the flow of qi), but it treats conditions with toxins that are more resistant.