🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Gallstones and chronic cholecystitis are common clinical conditions. Some patients suffer only from cholecystitis, while others have both stones and inflammation. Due to the prominence of "inflammation," people habitually use anti-inflammatory and stone-expelling drugs. When Western medicine proves ineffective, patients often switch to traditional Chinese medicine or combine both from onset. Commonly used Chinese patent medicines are mostly "clearing heat, removing dampness, expelling stones." Initially, most patients experience good results—such as disappearance of rib pain or improved appetite—but continued use leads to many experiencing upper abdominal fullness worsening at night, aversion to cold food and drinks, and even renewed rib distension. Why?
Initially, gallstones or cholecystitis represent an acute inflammatory phase. However, due to the nature of the disease or prolonged use of cold-natured drugs, the condition often transitions into chronic stage. At this point, bacteria become less sensitive to antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory, cholagogue Chinese patent medicines lose effectiveness. This leads to the aforementioned "spleen-stomach deficiency-cold" syndrome. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, this is mainly due to insufficient yang qi and excessive yin cold, resulting in inadequate transformation and transportation of fluids, causing upper abdominal fullness. Nighttime corresponds to increased yin energy, hence symptoms worsen at night. Consuming cold food further strengthens yin, weakening spleen yang, thus triggering rib pain.
Based on these etiologies and symptoms, the treatment principle is "warming yang, dispelling cold, invigorating qi." Fuzi Lizhong Wan is the preferred choice. This formula derives from the "Lizhong Wan" in "Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders," enhanced with Fuzi (Aconite root). It functions to warm yang, dispel cold, strengthen the spleen, and invigorate qi. Fuzi is the sovereign herb, warming the center and dispersing cold to relieve fullness. Dry ginger is the minister herb, enhancing the warming and cold-dispelling effect. Ginseng and Atractylodes macrocephala are the assistant herbs—ginseng greatly replenishes primordial qi, while Atractylodes strengthens the spleen and dries dampness. Fried Glycyrrhiza is the messenger herb, reinforcing central qi and harmonizing all other herbs. Together, these five herbs eliminate cold in the middle burner, transform dampness with sweet-warm properties, elevate clear yang, descend turbid yin, and restore normal digestive function.
Therefore, patients who have long been taking "clearing heat, cholagogue, stone-expelling" medications should consider adding Fuzi Lizhong Wan if they develop the above "deficiency-cold" symptoms.