Explanation
This formula, which has already been explained in Chapter 12, tonifies Spleen-Qi and
Spleen-Yang and stops abdominal pain. Gan Jiang stops bleeding from Qi and Yang deficiency.
Variations
- To harmonize Blood (stop bleeding, eliminate stasis, calm and nourish Blood) add one or
two of the following herbs: Zao Xin Huang Tu Terra Flava usta, Xian He Cao Herba
Agrimoniae pilosae, San Qi Radix Notoginseng, Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae albae, or Dang
Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis. - To astringe add Lian Zi Semen Nelumbinis nuciferae.
- To treat Qi add Sheng Ma Rhizoma Cimicifugae to raise Qi.
Case History 30.2
Bleeding: Spleen-Yang Deficiency-Male, Age 60
A 60-year-old man had been suffering from blood in the stools for 2 years. He had no abdominal
pain and his bowel movements were loose and very frequent. The blood was fresh-red and
haemorrhoids were excluded as a cause of bleeding. He felt very tired most of the time and felt
the cold very much. Even in summertime on a hot day when he came for his consultation he had
a jumper and a jacket on. His tongue was Pale, Swollen and had a white-sticky coating. His pulse
was generally Weak, especially so on the right-Middle position.
Diagnosis This is a clear condition of Spleen-Yang deficiency with some internal
Cold and the bleeding is due to Spleen-Qi not holding Blood.
Treatment Principle The treatment principle adopted was to tonify and warm Spleen-Yang
and expel Cold. This patient was treated only with herbs.
Herbal treatment The formula used was a combination of Li Zhong Wan Regulating the
Centre Pill and Gui Pi Tang Tonifying the Spleen Decoction. The
former tonifies Spleen-Yang and expels Cold and the latter tonifies the
Spleen function of holding Blood. The latter prescription which also
calms the Mind, fitted the case well as, during the consultation, it
transpired that the problem had started after a deep emotional upset with
his son.
Ren Shen Radix Ginseng 6 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae 9 g
Gan Jiang Rhizoma Zingiberis officinalis 5 g