枳實薤白桂枝湯

Name

Decoction of Immature Bitter Orange, Macrostem Onion and Cinnamon Twigs

The Prescription of 枳實薤白桂枝湯

Source

The book Jin Gui Yao Lue

Ingredients

• Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 12 g,
• Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 12 g,
• Gua Lou (Fructus Trichosanthis) 12 g,
• Xie Bai (Bulbus Allii Macrostemi) 9 g,
• Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 6 g.

Explanation

Zhi Shi: Inducing downward flow of Qi to disperse stagnation of Qi, relieving fullness and distention.

Xie Bai: Being pungent in taste and warm in nature, promoting the circulation of Yang-Qi, relieving stuffiness in the chest and dissolving masses.

Gui Zhi: Reinforcing Yang-Qi and promoting its circulation to dispel pathogenic cold, keeping upward adverse flow of Qi going downward.

Gua Lou: Removing phlegm and dissolving masses.

Hou Po: Promoting the downward flow of Qi to relieve fullness.

The Effect of 枳實薤白桂枝湯

Effect

Promoting the circulation of Yang-Qi and resolving masses, removing phlegm and inducing Qi to flow downward.

Indications

Syndrome due to obstruction of Qi in the chest, marked by choking pain in the chest which even refers to the back, dyspnea, cough, shortness of breath, whitish greasy tongue coating, and deep taut or tense pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, intercostal neuralgia and costal chondritis.

Administrations

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice.