COMMENTARY
Source: Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes (1247)
Indication: 1/Spleen + Stomach Deficiency 2/Qi Deficiency Fever 3/Spleen Qi Sinking
Symptoms: 1/ Inability to raise the clear: dizziness, unsteadiness, impaired or unclear vision deafness, tinnitus, shortness of breath, laconic speech, weak voice, shiny pale complexion, reduced intake of food, loose stool
2/ Intermittent fever that is worse with excertion, spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold, thirst for warm (T: pale, swollen P:large, forceless)
3/ Hemorrhoids, rectal or uterine prolapse, prolapse of internal organs, chronic diarrhea or dysentery, irregular uterine bleeding
Tongue: pale; Pulse: frail, deficient, soft
The architecture of this formula is complex, and the subject of scholarly debate. Essentially, warm and sweet it tonifies the qi of the middle jiao. Many of the herbs directly raise the qi (Huang Qi, Sheng Ma, Chai Hu) and directly address the root of the patterns treated by this formula. The use of acrid and sweet Dang Gui is used to enhance blood circulation, which augments the qi. In addition, acrid, bitter, aromatic and warm: Chen Pi regulates qi and aids in the necessary digestion process of the tonifying herbs in the formula. Though seemingly at odds, to treat intermittent fever with warm herbs, these symptoms are only the manifestation of the pattern, with middle jiao qi deficiency at the root. Note, however that the cool and cold constituents of this formula along with its sweetness help to safely drain the Yin Fire. Created by Li Dong-Yuan, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang employs his strategy to eliminate heat with sweet and warming herbs, and to utilize the multitude of modifications as needed.