Sì Nì Săn

Question 1

Actions

Answer 1

Vents pathogenic qi, releases constraint, spread the Liver qi, and regulates the Spleen

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

cold fingers and toes while the body and head are warm
sensation of irritability and fullness in the chest and epigastrium
cough
urinary difficulty
abdominal pain and severe diarrhea

T: red, yellow coat
P: wiry

Question 3

Diagnostic Pattern

Answer 3

Yang- or hot-type inversion due to internal constraint of yang qi that thereby fails to reach the extremities, causing cold fingers and toes.

Question 4

Herbs

Answer 4

chái hú
chăo zhĭ shí
bái sháo
zhì gān căo

Question 5

chái hú

Answer 5

regulate the qi by venting heat and releasing constraint
through its action on lesser yang, if facilitates both the ascent of clear yang and the descent of turbid yin

Question 6

chăo zhĭ shí

Answer 6

drains stagnation, breaks up stagnant qi, reduces accumulation in the middle burner to facilitate the transportive and transformative functions of the Spleen and Stomach
bitterness: directs downward to complement the chief herb’s focus on dredging the lesser yang –> stronger qi regulating function and thereby the smooth dispersion of heat due to constraint

Question 7

bái sháo

Answer 7

nourishes the LV, preserves the yin
holds things in
disseminate LV qi without injuring LV yin
+ zhì gān căo: moderates acute or colicky pain

Question 8

zhì gān căo

Answer 8

harmonizes
strengthens SP to curb the LV

Question 9

Cautions and Contraindications

Answer 9

Should not be used for yin deficiency with Liver constraint, which can present with similar symptoms.