Source: Guidelines for Pattern Identification and Treatment

(Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng)

Ingredients

Functions:

Expels wind, clears heat, benefits qi and releases toxins.

Indications:

Heart and spleen heat accumulation, or throat, tonsil and tongue swollen pain

Canker sore, sore throat, gum ulcer pain, and tonsillitis.

This original formula is listed in Zheng Zhi Zhuan Sheng Fang. Xuan shen can purge fire, clear heat and dissipate nodules; sheng ma is the spleen-stomach guiding herb, which can boost yang qi; huang lian has anti-bacterial and anti-infection functions and can eliminate heart-stomach fire. The combination of huang lian with sheng ma treats the mouth or canker sores caused by heart-spleen fire toxin; the combination of huang lian with huang qin treats the head and face, redness, swelling, heat and pain in the throat, dry mouth and throat, ulcerated mouth and tongue, full-distended hypochondriac area, irritability, insomnia, or/and hemoptysis, erythema.

This combination can be used to benefit blood, nourish yin, relax spasms, stop pain, clear heat and release toxin.

Modifications:

1.      Swollen and painful throat: add shan dou gen, she gan

2.      Thirst: add tian hua fen, zhu ru

3.      Irritable heat: add  shi gao, zhi mu

Applications:

Take after meals with warm water.