Fragrant Passage

Designed to ease the symptoms of pain, pressure, and phlegm discharge in patients with chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis typically presents as a combination on lingering external evils and a liver-spleen-stomach disharmony. Because of spleen vacuity, the defensive qi is vacuous and is not securing the exterior. Therefore, external evils are not out-thrust and new evils are allowed to enter. Also because of spleen vacuity, there is a tendency to phlegm dampness. This is based on the saying, The spleen is the root of phlegm engenderment. Because of liver depression transforming heat, heat is transferred to the stomach and gallbladder channels. This heat follows these channels upward to the head where it becomes stagnant and is trapped in the bony boxes of the sinuses. There it steams and brews, transforming toxins and creating pus. Because there is no free flow, there is pain. If this toxic heat damages the network vessels, there may be blood mixed in with the nasal mucus. Therefore, most cases of chronic sinusitis are due to a mixture of repletion and vacuity. The root is a liver-spleen-stomach disharmony, while the presence of any external evils as well as any heat toxins are the branches or tips. Therefore, within this formula, Huang Qi, Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Wu Wei Zi fortify the spleen and boost the qi. The combination of Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, and Wu Wei also specifically supplements and secures the defensive qi. Xin Yi Hua, Cang Er Zi, Bai Zhi, and Niu Bang Zi aromatically penetrate and free the flow of the orifices. Chan Tui, Jing Jie Sui, and Jie Geng resolves the exterior as well as lead the other medicinals to move upward to the face and head. Dang Gui and Bai Ji quicken the blood and disperse swelling. When combined with Huang Qi, Dang Shen, and Bai Zhu, they also support the righteous and secure the root. Gan Cao moderates and harmonizes all the other medicinals in the formula.