Er Chen Wan (Two Aged Herbs)

Clinical Usages

• The primary base formula to resolve phlegm damp, particularly in the lungs and GI system - cough (with white mucus), plugged ears, sinus blockage - along with GI symptoms of nausea, vomiting.
• Upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, emphysema, COPD - when arising from phlegm damp.
• Phlegm accumulation in the head symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, meniere's disease, alcohol hangover.
• Cysts from phlegm accumulation - fibroids, breast cyst, ovarian cyst, thryoid cysts, goiter. 

Clinical Categorization

• Treat Phlegm
• Dry Dampness and Expel Phlegm

Cautions

• Avoid in patients with yin deficiency - i.e. cough from dryness.

Huo Luo Xiao Ling Wan (Miraculously Effective Pill To Invigorate The Collaterals)

Clinical Usages

• A range of pain related issues when they arise from qi and blood stagnation (both acute and chronic) - pain essentially anywhere in the body, bruises and swelling and other signs of stasis.  May often be combined with other formulas which deal more with the root issues.
• Abdominal masses, fibroids, cysts as well as organ related issues such as cirrhosis, appendicitis and inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis.
• May be used to help clear an ectopic pregnancy with the right factors.

Clinical Categorization

• Invigorate the Blood
• Invigorate the Blood and Dispel Blood Stasis

Cautions

• Pregnancy

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Avoid with heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Use only under direction if you are taking blood thinners.
• Generally not for long term use.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan (Clear Summer Heat and Augment the Qi)

Clinical Usages

• Please note that there are two formulas with the same name but slightly different compositions.  One is from Wang's Wen Re Jing Wei and tonifies the yin more strongly, the other (which is the one discussed here) is from Li's Pi Wei Lun (Discussion of the Spleen and Stomach) and tonifies the spleen more strongly.  Both have similar usages but are not directly interchangeable.  
• Clears summerheat and dries dampness - summer colds and flus, heatstroke - fever, fatigue, excessive sweating with loose stools and heaviness in the body.
• Along with respiratory infections in the right cases certain types of asthma may be appropriate for this formula.
• Dampheat related inflammatory condtions such as Colitis are approprirate with the right underlying factors.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with symptoms of spleen deficiency and heat.
• Wtih the right underlying factors the range of perimenopausal symptoms may be appropriate - low libido, fatigue, water retention, fibroids, heavy cycles.  Where this appear with spleen qi deficiency signs and kidney weakness, this formula may be appropriate.

Clinical Categorization

• Clear Heat
• Relieve Summerheat

Tao Hong Si Wu Wan (Four Substances Pills With Safflower And Peach Pit)

Clinical Usages

• A modified version of si wu tang with the inclusion of tao ren and hong hua which make it slightly more moving for the blood - for blood deficiency with blood stagnation with particular emphasis on the lower jiao - dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, heavy bleeding, other stasis symptoms such as fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, etc. as well as related psychological issues such as depression.
• Can be used post-delivery for retained lochia.

Clinical Categorization

• Tonify
• Tonify the Blood

Cautions

• Avoid during the early phases of a cold or flu.