Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang

The heart spirit may become disquieted by any of three main mechanisms: 1) nonconstruction and malnourishment, 2) heat harassment; and 3) blockage and obstruction. Further, the latter heaven source of the qi and blood which construct and nourish the heart spirit is the spleen, while the two types of evil qi which may block and obstruct the free flow of the heart spirit are phlegm turbidity and blood stasis. It is also important to understand that liver depression can cause or aggravate any or all of these three main mechanisms. Liver depression counterflowing horizontally to assail the spleen causes spleen qi vacuity with nonconstruction and malnourishment. Liver depression transforming heat may cause depressive heat which floats upward to harass the heart spirit, and liver depression directly and indirectly by way of the spleen may cause phlegm, dampness, and turbidity which may block the free flow of the spirit. In this case, Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), Sheng Jiang (uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis), and Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) course the liver and rectify the qi, keeping in mind that qi is yang and that, by freeing the flow of yang, one also frees the flow of the qi. Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), Fu Ling (Poria), and Sheng Jiang transform phlegm and eliminate dampness. Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis), Fu Ling, Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang, Gui Zhi, and Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae), fortify the spleen and supplement the qi. In this case, Gui Zhi warms the spleen and, therefore, hlps to supplement the spleen. Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) and Da Huang (Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei) clear heat. Mu Li (Concha Ostreae), Long Gu (Os Draconis), Da Zao, and Fu Ling quiet the spirit. This formula comes fromZhang Zhong-jings late Han dynasty Shan Han Lung (Treatise on Damage [Due to] Cold).