CHINA MED DIGESTIVE TONIC FORMULA XIANG SHU LIU JUN ZI TANG

CHINAMED DIGESTIVE TONIC FORMULA XIANG SHU LIU JUN ZI TANG

This is a variant of Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Major Herbs Combination) from the Formulary of the Tai Ping Welfare Dispensary Bureau (tai ping hui min he ji ju fang), 1151. This particular variant, however, was not recorded until 1695, when it appeared in Zhangs Dictionary of Medicine (zhang shi yi tong), by Zhang Lu-xuan, 1695, a comprehensive collection, covering most branches of medicine from ancient to contemporary times.

This formula is a good example of a treatment that addresses both the primary aspects (ben) as well as the secondary aspects (biao) of a specific condition. In this case the underlying pathology is Spleen Qi deficiency, which manifests as poor appetite and digestion, with lowered energy and reduction of vital function due to insufficient Qi production. Over time this leads to the retention of Damp which subsequently develops into Phlegm which disrupts the normal movements of the Qi. Clinically, these factors may manifest in various ways:

– Retention of Damp may give rise to heavy sensation of the head and body, muscular aches, lethargy, and a sense of fullness (or stuffiness of the chest or epigastrium; loose stools (that may contain mucous), cloudy urine, or vaginal discharge.
– Phlegm (or Phlegm-Damp) affecting the Stomach or Lung, manifests with expectoration of pale and watery sputum, chilliness, nausea, loss of appetite, absence of thirst, oppressive sensation in the chest and epigastrium.
– Stagnation of the Qi specifically affects the Spleen-Stomach, with epigastric distention (or sense of fullness), mild epigastric pain, nausea, reflux or vomiting, loose stools or persistent diarrhea. Lung function may also become compromised, with such manifestations as dyspnea or coughing, generally with pale and/or watery sputum.

Thus, the formula covers a broad range of clinical problems due to the above pathodynamics: from simple fatigue with poor appetite, to more complex digestive and respiratory disorders.

Ingredients:
– Codonopsis pilosula, root 黨參 336.6 mg
– Atractylodes macrocephala, rhizome 白術 253.8 mg
– Wolfiporia cocos, hyphae 茯苓 253.8 mg
– Lindera strychnifolia, root 烏藥 253.8 mg
– Pinellia ternata, tuber 半夏 252.0 mg
– Citrus reticulata, fruit peel 陳皮 169.2 mg
– Amomum villosum, fruit 砂仁 140.4 mg
– Glycyrrhiza uralensis, root 甘草 140.4 mg

Signs & Symptoms
– Allergic respiratory disorders
– Candidiasis (gastrointestinal)
– Bronchitis, chronic
– Duodenitis, chronic
– Gastritis, chronic
– Food allergies
– Gastroduodenal ulcer
– General debility
– Post surgery debility
– Morning sickness
– Fatigue
– Allergies, food
– Debility
– Abdominal and epigastric distension
– Allergies
– Colitis, ulcerative
– Chronic fatigue
– Malabsorption syndrome
– Digestion, poor
– Poor appetite
– Asthma, chronic (maintenance)

Dosage & Course of Treatment
– 3 – 4 capsules, 2 – 3 times daily.
– In severe cases and in the early stages of treatment (first 2 – 4 weeks) the dosage may be increased by 50%.
– Course of treatment: 3 – 6 months.
– Safe for long term use.

Cautions & Contraindications
– Contains Glycyrrhiza, which potentiates prednisone and corticosteroids by prolonging steroid biological half-life; caution in patients with hypertension.