Composition and Function of Lingjiaogouteng Decoction
What is Lingjiaogouteng Decoction? What are the Chinese herbal medicines in Lingjiaogouteng Decoction? What is the function of Lingjiaogouteng Decoction? Let's find out below.
【Name】 Lingjiaogouteng Decoction
【Source】 "Tong Su Shang Han Lun" Volume Two
【Classification】 Traditional Chinese Medicine (Primary Discipline); Formula Study (Secondary Discipline); Formula (Tertiary Discipline)
【Composition】 Lingjiaopan 1.5 qian (4.5g), decoct first, Shuangsanqian 3 qian (9g), add later, Shuang'erqian 2 qian (6g), Chusansanqian 3 qian (9g), fresh Shengdi 5 qian (15g), Shengsanqian 3 qian (9g), Sidaqian 4 qian (12g), remove the core, lightly scrape, decoct with the first decoction, Wushengqi 5 qian (15g), Qiaomu 3 qian (9g), Shengbafen 8 fen (3g).
【Formula】 Yu's Lingjiaogouteng Decoction, Sangju Fushen, fresh Shengdi, Huangbai, Zhuru, Tongcao, Baicao, and Shaoyao, treat Liver Wind with internal movement and decoct to taste.
【Function】 Cooling liver, extinguishing wind, increasing body fluids, and relaxing tendons
【Indications】 Liver Heat generating Wind syndrome. High fever that does not recede, restlessness and agitation, convulsions of the hands and feet, progressing to tetanic convulsions, severe cases may result in loss of consciousness, tongue red and dry, or tongue scorched with prickles, pulse string-like and rapid.
【Usage】 Decoct in water and take orally.
【Contraindications】 Unknown
【Explanation】
In this formula, Lingyangjiao and Gouteng clear heat, cool the liver, extinguish wind, and act as the main herbs; Sangye and Juhua clear heat, extinguish wind, and act as deputy herbs; Baishao, Shengdihuang, and Gancao nourish yin, increase body fluids, and relax the liver and tendons, Zhuru and Baimu clear heat and resolve phlegm, Fushen calms the mind and soothes the spirit, all act as assisting herbs; Gancao harmonizes all the herbs and acts as an envoy. The combination of these herbs achieves the effect of cooling the liver, extinguishing wind, clearing heat, and stopping convulsions.
【Analysis】
The treatment in this formula is for the invasion of heat evil into the jueyin meridian, excessive heat in the liver meridian, and wind generated by extreme heat. The heat evil is strong and intense, hence the high fever that does not recede; when the heat disturbs the mind, there will be restlessness and agitation, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Due to the burning of yin by heat, excessive wind movement, and mutual exacerbation of wind and fire, there will be convulsions of the hands and feet, resulting in tetanic convulsions. The treatment should focus on clearing heat, cooling the liver, extinguishing wind, and assisting in increasing body fluids, relaxing tendons, and resolving phlegm, and calming the mind. Lingyangjiao and Gouteng in the formula have excellent effects in clearing heat, purging the liver, extinguishing wind, and stopping convulsions. The combination of the two herbs cools the liver, extinguishes wind, and acts as the main herbs. Sangye and Juhua are cold and dispersing, clearing heat, extinguishing wind, and are used as deputy herbs. "The Classic of Herbal Medicine" states, "Juhua specifically controls liver Wood, making it an essential herb for dispelling wind." When excessive heat and wind fire are present, it is most likely to consume yin and impair fluids, so fresh Shengdi, Baishao, and Shenggancao are used together to sourly sweeten and nourish yin, nourish fluids, relax the liver, and tendons. The above-mentioned herbs are used in combination with Lingyangjiao, Gouteng, and other heat-clearing, liver-cooling, wind-extinguishing herbs, to address both the root and branch of the condition, and strengthen the effect of extinguishing wind and relieving convulsions. When the pathogenic heat is excessive, it easily burns fluids into phlegm, so Chuanbeimu and fresh Zhugugu are used to clear heat and transform phlegm. When the heat disturbs the mind, Fushen calms the liver, soothes the mind, and all the above-mentioned herbs are assisting herbs. Shenggancao harmonizes all the herbs and acts as an envoy. The unique feature of this formula is that it primarily focuses on cooling the liver, extinguishing wind, and is combined with herbs that nourish yin, resolve phlegm, and calm the mind, making it a representative formula for cooling the liver and extinguishing wind.
