Premenstrual Syndrome Formula - Tang's Liberation Formula
Formula Name: Tang's Liberation Formula
【Function and Indications】
Function: Soothing the liver, resolving depression, clearing heat from heart and liver, strengthening the spleen to transport fluids, eliminating phlegm, opening orifices, regulating Chong meridian. Indicated for premenstrual syndrome.
【Prescription Composition】
(1) Bupleurum 9g, Angelica 9g, White Peony 12g, Prunella 12g, Perilla Seed 12g, Honeycomb 12g, Curcuma 9g, Cyperus 0g, Toona Sinensis 12g, Vaccaria 12g, decocted in water. This formula primarily soothes the liver and regulates Qi.
(2) Bupleurum 9g, Angelica 9g, White Peony 12g, Stir-fried Moutan Cortex 6g, Black Gardenia 12g, Prunella 12g, Ligusticum 9g, Cyperus 9g, Eight-Flower Vine 12g, Rose Flower 6g, decocted in water. This formula primarily clears liver heat and resolves depression.
(3) Coptis 6g, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus 9g, Prunella 12g, Prepared Rhubarb 6g, Cinnabaris-processed Poria 12g, Ginger-processed Pinellia 9g, Cinnabar 12g, South Star 12g, Calamus 12g, Polygala 9g, Uncaria (added later) 12g, White Gold Pill (wrapped) 12g, decocted in water. This formula primarily eliminates phlegm and opens orifices.
(4) Codonopsis 12g, Atractylodes 0g, Cinnabaris-processed Poria 12g, Poria 12g, Lablab Bean 12g, Alisma 12g, Plantago Seed 12g (wrapped), Angelica 9g, Ligusticum 9g, Prunella 12g, Bupleurum 9g, decocted in water. This formula primarily strengthens the spleen and promotes fluid metabolism.
【Syndrome Differentiation and Modifications】
Add Tribulus 12g, White Tribulus 12g, Vitex 12g, or Earthworm 12g for headache before and after menstruation; add Ophiopogon 12g, Fried Licorice 12g, and Jujube 12g for uncontrollable sadness or weeping; add Angelica Draconis Pill for severe heart-liver fire and constipation.
【Clinical Efficacy】Treated 13 cases: 46 cured, 8 significantly improved, 16 improved, 3 ineffective. Among those with fertility issues, 8 became pregnant.
【Prescription Source】
Tang Jifu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical University.
【Comment】
With over 60 years of experience in gynecological TCM, Tang believed the clinical manifestations of premenstrual syndrome fall into two types: excitation type (often irritable, easily agitated) and inhibition type (often calm, indifferent). The main causes are liver-kidney deficiency with liver Qi stagnation; or kidney Yin deficiency leading to lack of liver nourishment; or liver Qi stagnation transforming into fire. The former is deficiency-type, the latter is excess-type. These two types can transform into each other, or involve heart-liver fire or liver affecting the spleen. Thus, the root lies in the kidney, develops in the liver, and affects the heart and spleen. The above prescriptions were compiled and summarized by Tang’s students Li Chaojing and Cao Lingxian.<Menstrual Period>