🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Danzhi Xiaoyao San, based on the formula recorded in "Yibu Quanlu," consists of: Fried Glycyrrhiza 1.5g, Angelica sinensis 3g, Paeonia lactiflora 3g, Poria 3g, Stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala 3g, Bupleurum chinense 1.5g, Stir-fried Gardenia jasminoides 1.5g. Its function is to harmonize liver and spleen and clear heat and cool blood. Originally indicated for liver-spleen deficiency with heat, generalized pruritus, dry mouth and throat, fever with night sweats, poor appetite, excessive sleepiness, difficult urination, and lymph node tuberculosis or abscesses. In clinical practice, I have achieved good results using Danzhi Xiaoyao San to treat various diseases.
Auditory hallucinations result from liver depression impairing spleen function, generating fire and heat. In Danzhi Xiaoyao San: Mentha haplocalyx and ginger are pungent and dispersing, promoting liver qi dispersion; Paeonia lactiflora, being sour, consolidates heart qi. Overall, the formula combines pungent, sweet, sour, and bitter herbs, integrating tonifying, clearing, dispersing, and astringent actions, thus dispersing liver stagnation, strengthening spleen deficiency, and calming the spirit. A patient developed insomnia, dizziness, tinnitus, auditory hallucinations, and fatigue due to emotional distress over family matters. The complexion was pale, the tongue light red with thin yellow coating, and the pulse wiry, fine, and rapid. The prescription was Danzhi Xiaoyao San with modifications: Bupleurum chinense 12g, Angelica sinensis 12g, Paeonia lactiflora 12g, Atractylodes macrocephala 15g, Cortex Moutan 9g, Gardenia jasminoides 9g, Mentha haplocalyx (added later) 6g, Ginger 6g, Poria cocos 15g, Ziziphus spinosa 12g, Albizia julibrissin bark 12g. All herbs were decocted and taken once daily. After five doses, auditory hallucinations decreased and sleep improved. Subsequently, adding Amber 1.5g and Purple Pearl Shell 12g, the patient took twelve more doses, and the hallucinations disappeared.
Pediatric Green Blindness Pediatric green blindness often results from post-heat illness blood deficiency with liver stagnation, or residual heat lingering in meridians, causing obstruction of the orifices and malnutrition of eye openings. Using Danzhi Xiaoyao San with modifications helps relieve liver stagnation, open the orifices, promote circulation of qi and blood, and nourish the eyes to restore vision. However, some children still have residual symptoms after febrile illness such as convulsions and wind signs, with prolonged illness damaging liver, kidney, spleen, and stomach. Therefore, careful adjustments are needed when prescribing this formula clinically. A child developed bilateral green blindness after a fever. The treatment used Danzhi Xiaoyao San with addition of Chicken Blood Vine, Chrysanthemum, Lycium barbarum, and Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii, decocted and taken once daily, divided into three doses. After 21 doses, the child was cured.
Bronchiectasis with Hemoptysis Clinically, hemoptysis in bronchiectasis is often attributed to lung involvement, but cases due to wood-fire invading metal are also common. Danzhi Xiaoyao San can be used to clear liver fire, cool blood, and stop bleeding, supplemented with Coptis chinensis to reduce fire. When liver fire is not excessive, it cannot harm the lungs, leading to recovery.
A middle-aged male patient with bronchiectasis had irritability, bitter taste in mouth, dry stools, and hemoptysis. The prescription included: Cortex Moutan 10g, Gardenia jasminoides 10g, Bupleurum chinense 4g, Angelica sinensis 5g, Paeonia lactiflora 20g, Atractylodes macrocephala 6g, Glycyrrhiza 3g, Coptis chinensis 6g, Trichosanthes seed 15g, and Rhinoceros horn powder (taken by mixing) 1g. After three doses, hemoptysis reduced by half; after five doses, all symptoms resolved.
Red Leucorrhea Syndrome Red leucorrhea syndrome is commonly caused by spleen deficiency, kidney deficiency, or damp-toxin, but liver stagnation transforming into fire descending along the meridian and injuring the uterine network is also frequent. Clinically, patients often present with discharge resembling blood but not truly bloody, foul-smelling, continuous flow, and early menstruation. Careful differentiation is essential. A middle-aged woman presented with red vaginal discharge. The prescription used: Cortex Moutan 10g, Black Gardenia jasminoides 10g, Bupleurum chinense 6g, Wine-prepared Paeonia lactiflora 10g, Poria 12g, Atractylodes macrocephala 10g, Mentha haplocalyx 7g, Winter Melon Seed 15g, Hedyotis diffusa 14g. After five doses, discharge volume decreased; after ten doses, complete cure.
Breast Lobular Hyperplasia Patients with breast lobular hyperplasia often have a history of emotional distress. Due to unsatisfied liver qi, phlegm coagulation, and blood stasis, masses form in the breasts, known as "breast lump." Using Danzhi Xiao Yao San with modifications orally can soothe the liver, regulate qi, harmonize blood, and add softening and dispersing agents to dissolve and soften the mass, achieving satisfactory therapeutic effects. A middle-aged woman suffered from long-term breast lobular hyperplasia. The prescription was: Bupleurum chinense 20g, Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Poria, and fried Glycyrrhiza each 10g, Cortex Moutan and Gardenia jasminoides each 15g, Prunella vulgaris and Oyster shell each 30g, Manis pentadactyla 15g, Vaccaria segetalis 10g. All herbs were taken once daily, twice daily. Starting 13 days before menstruation, after ten doses, the patient showed significant improvement.