🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Gallstones and chronic cholecystitis are common clinical conditions. Some patients have only cholecystitis, others have both stones and cholecystitis. Because “inflammation” is prominent, people habitually use anti-inflammatory and stone-expelling herbs. When Western medicine proves ineffective, patients often switch to traditional Chinese medicine or combine both from the onset. Commonly used Chinese patent medicines are mainly “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, when patients first develop gallstones or cholecystitis, they are in an acute inflammatory phase. However, due to the disease’s nature or prolonged use of cold-natured herbs, the condition easily transitions into chronic stage. At this point, bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory, bile-promoting Chinese patent medicines lose effectiveness. This leads to the aforementioned “middle-jiao deficiency-cold” symptom complex. According to TCM theory, this is primarily due to yang deficiency and excessive yin cold, causing inadequate transformation of water-dampness, resulting in upper abdominal fullness. Nighttime corresponds to increased yin energy, hence symptoms worsen at night. Consuming cold food exacerbates yin energy, further weakening spleen yang, thus causing rib pain.
To address these etiologies and symptoms, the treatment principle is “warming yang, dispelling cold, strengthening qi.” Fuzi Lizhong Wan is the preferred choice. This formula derives from the “Lizhong Wan” in the *Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders*, with addition of Fuzi (Aconite), possessing functions of warming yang, dispelling cold, strengthening qi, and invigorating the spleen. Fuzi is the sovereign herb, warming the center and dispersing cold to relieve fullness. Dried ginger is the minister herb, enhancing warming and cold-dispelling effects. Ginseng and Atractylodes are auxiliary herbs—ginseng replenishes vital energy, Atractylodes strengthens the spleen and dries dampness. Fried licorice is the messenger herb, reinforcing central qi and harmonizing other herbs. Together, these five herbs eliminate cold in the middle jiao, transform dampness with sweet-warm properties, elevate clear yang, descend turbid yin, and restore normal digestive function.
Therefore, we recommend that patients who have been taking “clearing heat, promoting bile, expelling stones” herbs long-term should consider adding Fuzi Lizhong Wan if they exhibit signs of deficiency-cold.