Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Harmonizing Liver and Spleen
                              
                        
4.2. Herbal Formula  for Harmonizing the Liver and Spleen

Formulae for harmonizing the liver and spleen are indicated to syndromes of failure of the liver dispersing function which
is caused by stagnated liver qi invading the spleen and stomach transversely or failure of the spleen in transporting with
retention of earth and stagnation of wood. The liver dominates dispersion, likes flourish and smooth as well as stores
blood. Depressed emotion leads to failure of qi in ascending and descending and stagnation of the liver qi, so there are
symptoms of distending pain of hypochondrium, inclination to sighing, reticence and depression, irregular menstruation,
etc. Stagnation of yang qi can results in cold limbs of heat type. The liver qi invades the spleen and stomach transversely
causes tired mind, poor appetite, diarrhea, intestinal sound with abdominal pain,etc. All these should be treated by
harmonizing the liver and spleen. For the stagnation of the liver qi, Chai Hu (bupleurum root) should be used as the main
herb to disperse the liver qi; If accompanying blood deficiency, Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) and Bai Shao (white
peony root) should be used cooperatively to gentle the liver and nourish blood in order to give consideration to the liver
nature of substance pertaining to yin with function of yang. For the severe case of the liver stagnation with the spleen
deficiency, Bai Zhu (bighead atractylodes rhizome) and Bai Shao (white peony root) can be used together to act as the
assistant herbs.
For dampness due to the spleen deficiency. Fu Ling (poria) could be added to excrete dampness and strengthen the
spleen; for stagnation of qi. Chen Pi (tangerine peel), Zhi Shi (unripened bitter orange) and Xiang Fu (nutgrass flatsedge
rhizome) could be used cooperatively to regulate qi and harmonize the middle as well as soothing the liver for relieving
depression;for qi stagnation with blood stasis. Chuan Xiong (chuanxiong rhizome), Dan Shen (red sage root), Tao Ren
(peach kernel) and Hong Hua (safflower) could be used together to activate blood and resolve stasis. The
representative formulae are Si Ni San (Cold Limb Powder), Xiao Yao San (Merry Life Powder, etc).
(Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution)