Ch2: Formulas that Tonify and Release the Exterior

Question 1

What are the ingredients for Bai Du San? (Name 5 of 12)

Answer 1

1. Qiang Huo (Notopterygii) 9g
2. Du Huo (pubescent Angelica) 9g
3. Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 9 g
4. Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) 9g
5. Jie Gen (Balloon flower root) 9g
6. Qian Hu (Hogfennel root) 9g
7. Fu Ling (Poria) 9g
8. Sheng Jiang (fresh Ginger) 3g
9. Ren Shen (Ginseng) 9g
10. Zhi Qiao (Ke) (Bitter orange) 9g
11. Bo He (Field mint) 6g
12. Gan Cao (Licorice) 3g

Question 2

Functions of Bai Du San?

Answer 2

• Dispel cold
• Eliminate dampness
• Release the exterior
• Tonify Qi

Question 3

Indications for Bai Du San?

Answer 3

Deficiency of vital energy (qi) with invasion by exterior wind, cold and dampness

Question 4

Key symptoms of Bai Du San?

Answer 4

• Chills
• High fever
• General body aches
• No sweat
• Superficial pulse
• Pulse forceless when pressed deeply

Question 5

Pathogenesis for fever, chills and no sweating?

Answer 5

Wind cold attacks the exterior, closes the pores and depresses yang qi

Question 6

Pathogenesis for stiff neck, soreness, general body pain?

Answer 6

• Pathogens block circulation of qi and blood
• Channels and collaterals blocked by invasion of wind, cold and dampness

Question 7

Pathogenesis of stifling and fullness in chest and epigastric region?

Answer 7

Qi stagnation caused by dampness

Question 8

Pathogenesis of nasal obstruction and cough with sputum?

Answer 8

Wind cold damp impairing the lung qi’s function of dispersing and descending

Question 9

Pathogenesis of white sticky tongue coating?

Answer 9

Excessive dampness

Question 10

Pathogenesis of superficial pulse?

Answer 10

Exterior symptoms

Question 11

Pathogenesis of pulse being forceless even with heavy pressing?

Answer 11

Qi deficiency

Question 12

Actions of Qiang Huo and Du Huo?

Answer 12

King herbs

• Pungent and warm herbs to promote sweat and dsipel W-C-D
• Qiang Huo best for upper body, Du Huo best for lower body, together they dispel W-C-D from whole body

Question 13

Actions of Chai Hu and Chuan Xiong?

Answer 13

Deputy herbs

• Pungent to dispel and relieve the exterior
• Move blood to dispel wind
• Invigorate blood and promote circulation of qi to stop pain
• Pungent and cold for dispersing heat

Question 14

Actions of Jie Geng and Zhi Ke?

Answer 14

Assistants

• Open chest and descend lung qi
• Promote circulation of chest and stomach
• (Good for fullness and distention)

Question 15

Actions of Qian Hu and Fu Ling?

Answer 15

Assistants

• Descend lung qi
• Resolve phlegm
• Stop cough
• Tonify spleen and resolve dampness

Question 16

Actions of Ren Shen?

Answer 16

Assistant

Use small amount

Tonify qi in order to drive pathogen out of the body

Question 17

Characteristics of the combination of of herbs in Bai Du San?

Answer 17

1. Tonify vital energy to dispel external pathogen.
2. Combination of dispelling and tonifying to avoid damaging primary qi
3. Combination of ascending and descending to treat both upper and lower together

Question 18

What conditions is Bai Du San applicable for?

Answer 18

• Allergic dermatitis
• Common cold
• Eczema
• Hives
• Influenza
• Initial dysentery
• Rheumatism

Question 19

What are the precautions for Bai Du San?

Answer 19

Wind could enter the body, turn to heat and yin deficiency even with cold invasion

Question 20

Explain what “rowing the boat against the stream” means?

Answer 20

This is a method to treat the initial stages of dysentery with external pathogens. The root cause is W-C-D and a formula like Bai Du San can dispel this. Normally we would treat dysentery by clearing heat and toxins. However if we catch it early enough we do the opposite so we call it against the stream.