Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Purgative-Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
                             
                                                 Da Huang Fu Zi Tang   
                                        Rhubarb and Aconite Decoction                                            

SOURCE: Jin Gui Yao Lue (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber)
INGREDIENTS:
Da Huang (Rhubarb) 9g
Zhi Fu Zi (Prepared aconite lateral root) 12g
Xi Xin (Asarum root) 6g

DIRECTION: Decoct the above herbs in water for oral administration.
EFFECTS: Warming meridians to dispel cold, relieve constipation and assuage am.
INDICATIONS: Cold accumulation manifested by abdominal or hypochondriac pain, constipation, fever, cold limbs, deep,
taut and tight pulse.
ANALYSIS OF FORMULA: Being extremely pungent flavor and extremely hot nature, Zhi Fu Zi (prepared aconite lateral
root) warms the interior to dispel cold and assuage cold pain of epigastrium and abdomen; Da Huang (rhubarb) purges feces.
Both of them act as the main herbs. The formula becomes the warm purgation because the dosage of Zhi Fu Zi (prepared
aconite lateral root) is larger than that of Da Huang (rhubarb). As the assistant herb, Xi Xin (asarum root) activates yang and
expels cold to alleviate pain.
It is commonly used by Zhang Zhong Jing to apply both Xi Xin (asarum root) and Zhi Fu Zi (prepared aconite lateral root) to
treat the latent cold evil in yin phase. The examples can be seen in this formula and in Ma Huang Fu Xi Xin Tang (Ephedra,
Aconite and Asarum Decoction). In the latter, working with Ma Huang (ephedra), Xi Xin (asarum herb) is mainly to assist yang
in relieving the exterior; while in the former, Working with Da Huang (rhubarb), Xi Xin (asarum root) helps Xhi Fu Zi (prepared
aconite lateral root) to change the bitter cold formula into warm purgation. It is especially worth to mention that the dosage of
prepared aconite lateral root in this formula is far larger than that in Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite and
Asarum Decoction). So it is clear that there is a profound meaning in the aspects' of setting therapies, choosing herbs and
creating formulae by the ancients.