🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Danzhi Xiaoyao San, based on the formula recorded in "Yibu Quanlu," consists of: Fried Licorice 1.5g, Angelica sinensis 3g, White Peony Root 3g, Poria 3g, Stir-fried Atractylodes 3g, Bupleurum 1.5g, Stir-fried Gardenia 1.5g. Its functions include harmonizing liver and spleen, clearing heat, and cooling blood. Originally indicated for liver-spleen deficiency with internal heat, generalized pruritus, dry mouth and throat, fever with night sweats, poor appetite, excessive sleepiness, dysuria, and lymph node tuberculosis or abscesses. In clinical practice, I have achieved good results using Danzhi Xiaoyao San to treat various diseases.
Hallucinations are caused by liver depression impairing spleen function, generating fire and heat. In Danzhi Xiaoyao San: Mentha and ginger promote dispersion and relieve liver stagnation; white peony root, being sour in taste, consolidates heart qi. Overall, this formula combines pungent, sweet, sour, and bitter herbs, integrating dispersing, tonifying, clearing, and nourishing actions to resolve liver stagnation, strengthen spleen deficiency, and calm the spirit. A patient developed insomnia, dizziness, tinnitus, hallucinations, and fatigue due to emotional distress from family matters. The patient had a pale complexion, pale red tongue with thin yellow coating, and a wiry, fine, rapid pulse. The prescription was Danzhi Xiaoyao San with modifications: Bupleurum 12g, Angelica sinensis 12g, White Peony Root 12g, Atractylodes 15g, Cortex Moutan 9g, Gardenia 9g, Mentha (added later) 6g, Ginger 6g, Poria Senticosae 15g, Stir-fried Ziziphus Seed 12g, Mimosa Bark 12g. All herbs were decocted and taken once daily. After five doses, hallucinations decreased and sleep improved. Subsequently, adding Amber 1.5g and Purple Pearl Shell 12g, after continuous use for 12 doses, hallucinations disappeared.
Childhood Green Blindness: Childhood green blindness is mostly due to post-illness blood deficiency with liver stagnation, residual heat not fully cleared, heat lingering in meridians, obstructing the orifices, leading to impaired eye nourishment. Using Danzhi Xiaoyao San with modifications helps relieve liver stagnation, unblock the orifices, promote circulation of qi and blood, and restore vision. However, some children still have residual symptoms of convulsions and wind after febrile illness, with prolonged disease damaging liver, kidney, spleen, and stomach. Therefore, when using this formula clinically, adjustments must be made according to individual cases. One child developed bilateral green blindness after a febrile illness. Treatment with Danzhi Xiaoyao San plus Chicken Blood Vine, Chrysanthemum, Lycium Fruit, and Calamus, decocted and taken once daily in three divided doses. After 21 doses, the condition was cured.
Bronchiectasis with Hemoptysis: In clinical practice, hemoptysis in bronchiectasis is often attributed to lung involvement, but cases due to liver fire invading the lung (wood-fire assaulting metal) are also common. Danzhi Xiaoyao San can clear liver fire, cool blood, and stop bleeding. Adding Coptis to further reduce fire ensures that liver fire does not harm the lung, thus curing the disease.
A middle-aged male patient with bronchiectasis presented with irritability, bitter taste in mouth, constipation, and hemoptysis. Prescription: Cortex Moutan 10g, Gardenia 10g, Bupleurum 4g, Angelica sinensis 5g, White Peony Root 20g, Atractylodes 6g, Licorice 3g, Coptis 6g, Trichosanthes Seed 15g, Rhinoceros Horn Powder (dissolved) 1g. After three doses, hemoptysis reduced by half; after five doses, all symptoms resolved.
Red Leucorrhea Syndrome: Red leucorrhea syndrome is commonly due to spleen deficiency, kidney deficiency, or damp-toxin, but cases due to liver stagnation transforming into fire, descending along the meridians and scorching the uterine network are also frequent. Clinically, it presents as discharge resembling blood but not truly bloody, foul-smelling, profuse, and menstrual periods occurring earlier than normal. Careful differentiation is essential. A middle-aged female patient suffered from red leucorrhea. Prescription: Cortex Moutan 10g, Black Gardenia 10g, Bupleurum 6g, Wine-prepared White Peony Root 10g, Poria 12g, Atractylodes 10g, Mentha 7g, Winter Melon Seed 15g, Hedyotis Diffusa 14g. After five doses, leucorrhea volume decreased; after ten doses, completely cured.
Idiopathic Breast Lobular Hyperplasia: Patients with idiopathic breast lobular hyperplasia often have a history of emotional distress. Due to liver qi stagnation, phlegm coagulation, and blood stasis, masses form in the breasts, known as "breast lump." Using Danzhi Xiaoyao San with modifications orally, to soothe liver, regulate qi, harmonize blood, and add softening and dispersing agents, yields satisfactory therapeutic effects. A middle-aged woman with long-standing breast lobular hyperplasia used the following prescription: Bupleurum 20g, Angelica sinensis, White Peony Root, Poria, and Fried Licorice each 10g, Cortex Moutan and Gardenia each 15g, Prunella Vulgaris and Oyster Shell each 30g, Manis Pentadactyla 15g, Vaccaria Segetalis 10g. All herbs taken once daily, twice daily. Starting medication 13 days before menstruation, after 10 doses, significant improvement was observed.