Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Warming Middle to dispel cold
                                 

 6.1.  Herbal Formula  for Warming Middle to Dispel Cold

Herbal formulae for warming the middle to dispel cold are indicated to deficient cold syndrome of the middle jiao. The
spleen and stomach are located in the middle jiao with the functions of dominating transportation and transformation as
well as ascending and descending of qi. The internal exuberance of yin cold with yang deficiency of the middle leads to
abdominal pain with preference for warming and pressing, cold limbs, pale tongue with white coating, deep slow pulse
or taut and tight pulse. Failure of the spleen in lifting the lucid yang is responsible for diarrhea. Failure of the stomach in
descending results in vomiting, acid regurgitation and poor appetite. Therefore, the treatment should be warming the
middle to dispel cold. The main herbs for warming the middle to dispel cold are Gan Jiang (dry ginger), Wu Zhu Yu
(evodiafruit), Shu Jiao (pricklyash peel), Gao Lian Jiang (galangal rhizome) and Yi Tang (malt sugar), etc.
The yang deficiency of the middle jiao is usually complicated by qi deficiency, so that Dang Shen (pilose asia bell root),
Bai Zhu (bighead atractylodes rhizome) and Gan Cao (licorice root) are used together to reinforce the middle qi. Failure
of the spleen in transporting is often complicated by dampness evil, so that Fu Ling (poria), Hou Po (magnolia bark) and
Chen Pi (tangerine peel) can be used together to dry dampness and to strengthen the spleen. For the heavier cold-evil
leading to severe abdominal pain, small dosage of Zhi Fu Zi (prepared aconite lateral root) could be added to warm the
kidney and spleen. The spleen deficiency brings about lack of production of qi and blood so as to lead to blood
deficiency, Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) and Bai Shao (white peony root) could be used together to sooth the liver
and to nourish blood. For the stomach cold with rebellious qi marked by vomiting and acid regurgitation, Sheng Jiang
(fresh ginger), Ban Xia (pinellia tuber) and Sha Ren (amomum fruit) could be used to harmonize the stomach and lower
rebellion. The representative formulae are Li Zhong Wan (Middle-Regulating Pills), Wu Zhu Yu Tang (Evodia
Decoction),Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Middle-Strengthening Decoction), Da Jian Zhong Tang (Major
Middle-Strengthening Decoction), etc.