The formula of Fushen Decoction consists of Fushen, Yuanzhi, Ginseng, Tongcao, Maidong, Huangqi, Jiegeng, Gancao, and Shengjiang. The pathogenesis is qi and yin deficiency leading to phlegm-heat obstructing the throat. In clinical application, it can be adjusted according to different disease symptoms. Now let's get to know about Fushen Decoction!
Fushen Image
Fushen Decoction is mainly used to "treat extreme deficiency of the pulse, cough causing heart pain, feeling of obstruction in the throat, severe throat swelling, palpitations and restlessness".
Fushen: Calms the mind, soothes the spirit, and promotes diuresis. It is used for heart deficiency palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, epilepsy, and urinary difficulties.
Yuanzhi: Has the functions of calming the mind, benefiting intelligence, resolving phlegm, and reducing swelling. It is used for insomnia with excessive dreaming, forgetfulness, palpitations, mental confusion, cough with phlegm, abscesses and swelling, and breast pain.
Tongcao: Has the effects of clearing heat, diuresis, and promoting lactation. It is used for damp-heat lin syndrome, edema with reduced urine output, and insufficient milk secretion.
Huangqi: Tonifies qi, consolidates the exterior, expels toxins, promotes diuresis, and promotes tissue regeneration. It is used for qi deficiency and weakness, chronic diarrhea and prolapse of the anus, spontaneous sweating, edema, uterine prolapse, chronic nephritis with proteinuria, diabetes, and non-healing wounds.
Jiegeng: Has the effects of ventilating the lungs, relieving the throat, resolving phlegm, and draining pus. It is used for cough with excessive phlegm, chest stuffiness and discomfort, sore throat with hoarseness, and lung abscess with pus discharge.
If qi and yin are not replenished and only phlegm-resolving herbs are used, the phlegm will continue to accumulate. If qi is replenished and yin is nourished, phlegm will not be produced. Fushen and Yuanzhi calm the mind and soothe the spirit, Ginseng and Huangqi greatly replenish the original qi, Jiegeng and Gancao resolve phlegm and drain pus, and Maidong promotes yin and moistens dryness, while Tongcao promotes meridian circulation.
In clinical practice, Fushen Decoction is used to treat chronic rhinitis, chronic pharyngitis, and bronchial asthma, which can stabilize the condition well. The dosage of the herbs is determined based on the different damage to qi, blood, and body fluid.
If there are obvious cold symptoms and severe cough, the dosage of Yuanzhi can be increased to 18g to dispel coldness in the lesser yin. If there is severe qi deficiency, the dosage of Ginseng and Huangqi can be increased. If there is severe deficiency of body fluid, Maidong can be increased or other yin-nourishing herbs such as lily, fresh rehmannia, and ophiopogon can be added.
In acute suppurative tonsillitis, for those with pre-existing deficiency or those who develop the condition due to overexertion, with symptoms of throat swelling and pain, the dosage of Jiegeng can be increased to 30g, and at the same time, the dosage of fresh Huangqi can be increased to 60g to promote pus dispersal and qi supplementation.
The key symptoms for this formula are insomnia with excessive dreaming, palpitations, shortness of breath, and poor appetite. In modern times, it can be used to treat neurosis, functional neurosis, and other related diseases.
