【Chinese Name】 |
小建中湯
|
【Phonetic】 |
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
|
【English Name】 |
Minor Center-Fortifying Decoction |
【Classification】 |
Warming interior formulas |
【Source】 |
《Treatise on Cold Damage》Shang Han Lun《傷寒論》 |
【Combination】 |
Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi) 3 liang (9g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 2 liang (6g), Jujubae Fructus (Da Zao) 12 pcs (6 pieces), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shao Yao) 6 liang (18g), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) 3 liang (9g), Saccharum Granorum (Yi Tang) 1 sheng (30g) |
【Method】 |
Decoct all the six medicinals with seven sheng of water until three sheng is left, remove the remainder and add the yi tang to melt over a mild flame. Take one sheng of the warm decoction each time, three times a day. (Modern use: add yi tang into the prepared decoction, melt it over mild heat, and take warm twice a day.) |
【Action】 |
Warms the center, supplements deficiency, harmonizes the interior, and relaxes spasms. |
【Indication】 |
Deficiency-cold of the middle jiao, disharmony of the liver and spleen, characterized by abdominal spasms and pain which can be lessened by warmth and pressure, fatigue and lack of strength, shortness of breath, palpitations, dysphoria, pale complexion, or sore limbs, vexing heat in the palms, dry throat, a pale tongue with white coating, and a thready, wiry pulse. |
【Pathogenesis】 |
This pattern is caused by deficiency-cold of the middle jiao, and disharmony of the liver and spleen due to insufficient source qi that cannot initiate transformation. Deficiency-cold of the middle jiao, as well as the liver, restrains the spleen and causes abdominal spasms and pain that can be lessened by warmth and pressure. The spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood production. When there is deficiency-cold of the middle jiao, there is no source for transportation and transformation, which leads to deficiency of both qi and blood and causes symptoms such as palpitations, pale complexion, fever, and a dry throat. Although the symptoms vary, they all belong to deficiency-cold in the middle jiao. The treatment is to warm the center, supplement deficiency, nourish yin, harmonize the interior, and relax spasm to relieve pain. |
【Application】 |
1. Essential pattern differentiation This formula is used to warm the center, supplement deficiency, relax spasms, and relieve pain. It is also commonly used to soften the liver and rectify the spleen. This clinical pattern is marked by spasms and pain in the abdomen, which can be reduced by warmth and pressure, pale tongue body, thready, wiry pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula is indicated for gastric and duodenal ulcers, chronic hepatitis, chronic gastritis, neurasthenia, aplastic anemia, fever due to deficiency-cold of the middle jiao, and disharmony of the liver and spleen. 3. Cautions and contraindications This formula is not suitable for vomiting or abdominal fullness. It is prohibited for pain in the stomach cavity due to vigorous fire resulting from yin deficiency. |
【Additonal formulae】 |
1. Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction 黃芪建中湯) [Source]《Essentials from the Golden Cabinet》Jin Gui Yao Lue《金匱要略》 [Ingredients] Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, huang qi 1.5 liang (5g) [Preparation and Administration] Decoct the six medicinals with 7 sheng of water until 3 sheng left, remove the remainder and add yi tang to melt over a mild flame. Take 1 sheng of warm decoction three times a day. [Actions] Warms the center and boosts qi. Harmonizes the interior and relaxes spasms. [Applicable Patterns] Deficiency of yin, yang, qi, and blood. Symptoms include: abdominal spasms and pain which can be lessened by warmth and pressure, emaciation, sallow complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating and night sweating. 2. Dang Gui Jian Zhong Tang (Chinese Angelica Center-Fortifying Decoction 當歸建中湯) [Source]《Supplement to Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces》Qian Jin Yi Fang《千金翼方》 [Ingredients] Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, dang gui 4 liang (12g) [Preparation and Administration] Decoct the six medicinals with 1 dou of water until 3 sheng left, remove the remainder and add yi tang to melt over a mild flame. Take 1 sheng of warm decoction three times a day. For patient with severe deficiency, increase the dosage of yi tang to 6 liang (30g). [Actions] Warms and supplements qi and blood, relaxes spasms and relieves pain. [Applicable Patterns] Postpartum weakness. Symptoms include: abdominal pain, weak breathing, spasms of lower the abdomen affecting the waist and back, and unable to eat. 3. Da Jian Zhong Tang (Major Center-Fortifying Decoction 大建中湯) [Source]《Essentials from the Golden Cabinet》Jin Gui Yao Lue《金匱要略》 [Ingredients] Hua jiao (dry-fried) 2 he (6g), gan jiang 4 liang (12g), ren shen 2 liang (6g), yi tang 1 sheng (30g) [Preparation and Administration] Decoct the three medicinals with 4 sheng of water until 2 sheng left, remove the remainder and add yi tang to melt over a mild flame and boil it until 1.5 sheng left. Take the warm decoction two times a day. [Actions] Warms the center and supplements deficiency, directs counterflow downward and relieves pain. [Applicable Patterns] Severe pain in the stomach and abdomen due to yang debility in the middle jiao and cold accumulation. Symptoms include: abdominal pain that involves the chest and stomach, which is severe and moves around or as if a lump is moving up and down causing harsh pain, serious vomiting, unable to eat, extremely cold extremities, a pale tongue, a white, watery tongue coating, and a deep, slow pulse. |
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