四逆散

Name

Powder for Treating Cold Limbs.

Source

The book Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

• Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 6 g,
• Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 6 g,
• Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 6 g,
• Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9 g.

Explanation

Chai Hu: The principal drug, being bitter and pungent in flavor and slightly cold in nature, smoothing the liver and regulating the circulation of Qi, clearing away pathogenic heat from the interior by inducing diaphoresis.

Zhi Shi: Making Qi flow downwards to relieve its stagnancy.

Shao Yao: Replenishing Yin to nourish blood, combining Chai Hu to disperse the depressed liver-Qi and regulate the spleen.

Gan Cao: Replenishing Qi to regulate the stomach, getting together with Bai Shao to relieve spasm and pain, tempering the actions of all the other drugs.

Effect

Let out pathogens and promoting the circulation of Qi, relieving the depressed Liver-Qi and regulating the spleen.

Indications

Cold limbs due to stagnation of Yang-Qi in the interior or syndrome due to the incoordination between the liver and the spleen, marked by cold limbs or pain in the chest and abdomen, or loose stools, and wiry pluse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic hepatitis, chronic cholecystitis, gastroduodenal ulcer, intercostal neuralgia, etc.

Administration

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice (Taken as a powder originally)